History of Establishment of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of the Republic of Korea, operating under the Ministry of Education, proposed the creation of the department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) in November 2020. The intended department seeks to emphasize academic research and development initiatives by providing an array of resources and support for students. This encompasses a well-organized Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum, state-of the-art laboratory facilities, an automotive research center, training and workshop programs, opportunities for collaborative research, and the development of application oriented textbooks tailored for students. Furthermore, the department aspires to create avenues for prospective students to engage in advanced educational pursuits.
During the 43rd academic council meeting on 24 November 2020, the proposal was accepted, and the establishment of the department of ME at MBSTU was recommended. Subsequently, the 217th Regent Board meeting on 25 November 2020 reviewed and unanimously approved the establishment of the department, moving forward to seek approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. In alignment with the decision made during the meeting among the MBSTU administrative authority, South Korean officials and the distinguished UGC member Prof. Dr. Dil Afroza Begum on 16 March 2021; Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud (then the faculty member of TE department, MBSTU) was appointed to initiate the necessary procedures for the establishment and implementation of the academic operations of the department of ME at MBSTU. Ultimately, the UGC granted approval for the Department of Mechanical Engineering on September 12, 2021; and permitted participation in the seven-year (2022-2029) Official Development Assistance (ODA) project titled ‘Strengthening Education Capabilities of Department of Bangladesh’s Mechanical & Automotive Engineering’ in collaboration with the Kongju National University (KNU), Republic of Korea. On 21 October 2021, a formal presentation regarding the ODA project was delivered at UGC by Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud. Afterwards, a Project Concept Paper (PCP) regarding the proposed initiative was prepared by Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud and submitted on 31 October 2021 to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance via the UGC and the Ministry of Education in Bangladesh. Following the ERD's approval, a Preliminary Technical Assistance Project Proposal (PTAPP) was developed by Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud and forwarded to the UGC on 24 July 2022, which then relayed it to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Planning. Ultimately, the Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Planning granted approval for the PTAPP on 20 December 2022. In light of the approval from the MBSTU administration, Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud has been appointed as the Local Project Director (LPD). Additionally, Mr. Md. Zahurul Islam, who serves as the Planning Officer at the Planning, Development and Works (PDW) office of MBSTU, has been designated as the Project Promotion Personnel (PPP) for the specified ODA project, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established between KNU and MBSTU on 15 February 2022.
The Principal Investigator (PI) of the project, Professor Dr. Haeng Muk Cho from the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at KNU in the Republic of Korea, conducted a visit to the department of ME at MBSTU from 16 to 26 January 2023. During this period, he engaged with the administrative officials of MBSTU as well as the Honorable Chairman of the UGC to discuss future plans related to the project. A significant milestone was achieved with the arrival of the first laboratory equipment, the Engine Simulator, from South Korea on 15 February 2023.
The department of ME is recognized as the 19th academic department at MBSTU and the 4th within the Faculty of Engineering (FoE), MBSTU. It is situated on the first floor (level-2) of the 12-storey academic building. The academic activities of this department began in the 2023-2024 academic year, enrolling a total of 32 students, which includes one international student from Nepal. Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Mahmud holds the position of the founding Chairman of the department of ME, MBSTU.
The department of ME at MBSTU is dedicated to achieving not only academic excellence but also to cultivating a nurturing and supportive community. This environment enables students to develop and succeed within a positive educational framework. The department provides innovative academic programs that feature a comprehensive OBE curriculum. Emphasizing essential fields such as design, production, energy, and automotive technology, the department seeks to meet both present and future societal demands while addressing the challenges posed by Industry 4.0. Through these efforts, the department aspires to play a significant role in shaping a more advanced and intelligent future for Bangladesh.