Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) has moved to strengthen international academic and research collaboration through discussions with representatives from two US universities on joint research, faculty and student exchanges and institutional partnerships.
A delegation comprising Purdue University Fort Wayne Professor Ahmed Mustafa and Auburn University College of Agriculture Assistant Professor Timothy J Bruce met GAU Vice-Chancellor GKM Mustafizur Rahman at the university on Thursday, according to a statement.
During the meeting, Mustafizur Rahman outlined GAU’s progress in education, research and innovation, highlighting the university’s performance in international higher education rankings and its contributions to agricultural and fisheries research.
He said GAU secured top national positions in several categories of the Times Higher Education, World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) and QS rankings in 2025 and 2026, while strengthening its presence in the global academic community.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in education and research through faculty and student exchange programmes, joint research projects and long-term collaboration in modern agriculture and aquatic resource development.
The US delegation proposed signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between GAU, Purdue University Fort Wayne and Auburn University to establish a formal framework for academic and research cooperation. The proposal was welcomed by the GAU vice-chancellor.
Both sides expressed hope that a future agreement would support research, innovation and human resource development while creating new opportunities for Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.
Following the meeting, Timothy J Bruce visited GAU’s research fields, laboratories and Faculty of Fisheries facilities, where he expressed satisfaction with the university’s research infrastructure and ongoing scientific work.
GAU Faculty of Fisheries Dean Farhana Haque, Department of Fisheries Biology and Aquatic Environment Professor SM Rafiquzzaman, Assistant Professor Ibrahim Rashid and representatives from Daffodil International University attended the meeting.
