Pahela Falgun (February-14) is observed as Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Day.
On this day in 1991, the country's first science and technology university started its education programme in the north-east of Bangladesh.
This university, the best at science and technology research, has crossed 33 years of glory and success and enters its 34th established day.
Since its inception, it has created a unique position in the technology field of the country and world, also through research, innovation and technological excellence by devoting itself to the country's service in producing the best graduates.
The history of the university is known after the 70 years of agitation and struggle of the people of the north-eastern part of the country and the people of Sylhet, and with the exemplary contribution of Humayun Rashid Chowdhury, former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad announced the establishment of the university in 1985 at Kumargaon on August 25, 1986, about 5 km away from Sylhet city.
The foundation stone of SUST was laid on 320 acres of land. Presently, it is located within the Sylhet City Corporation. After that, on February 13, 1991, the university officially started its journey with 3 departments, 13 teachers and 205 students. At present, more than 500 teachers and more than 10 thousand students are studying in 28 departments under seven faculties including students of affiliated medical colleges and nursing colleges.
The current Vice-Chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed is playing an efficient administrative role after receiving the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor for the second consecutive term at the university.
In addition, after two decades, the teacher of the same university Professor Dr. Md. Kabir Hossain has been appointed as Pro-Vice Chancellor.
It is the first public university in the country to invent the Bengali search engine 'Pipilika', invent a vehicle tracking device, drone, develop the Bengali speaking social robot 'Ribo', develop the walking robot 'Lie', and an online transcript system also.
There are numerous innovations including the introduction of lifting facilities, the creation of artificial intelligence keyboards, the 'blockchain' method for instant certificate verification, the 'turn-it-in' method for checking research forgery, the invention of cancer diagnosis through testing and the latest wireless electric car by the aim of university teachers and students.
In 2019, SUST team 'Team Olic' took part in the space apps challenge organized by NASA for the first time, fighting with 2729 teams selected from 79 countries and was placed in the top four. Recently, this university received the 'Countries best Digital Campus Award' for its contribution to the country's technology sector.
Many technologies invented by SUST have occupied the first and unique place in the country. SUST started the first semester system at the university level, started the mobile phone admission process, brought the entire campus under Wi-Fi service, used CCTV cameras in every part of the campus and launched e-mail in its own domain. Not only in education and research, SUST has also set a unique example for humanity by standing by the people of the country in the hardships of the country.
During the Corona pandemic, Corona Detection Lab was set up under the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology with its own funding. This has reduced the suffering of the people of this region.
SUST campus is also unique in its natural beauty among other universities in the country. Entering the university campus beside the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway and entering through the main gate, the charming environment attracts everyone's attention. After entering, a one kilometer-long road can be seen on both sides of the eye-catching different species of trees.
Between these kilo roads there are tea trees that are the carriers of Sylhet's history and tradition, including Krishnachura, Randhachura. Sylhet's longest artificial clear water lake is located beside Kiloroad. It has various species of fish and extensive lotus flowers.
In terms of infrastructure, the university currently has two administrative buildings, six academic buildings, three male halls, three female halls, a central library, 3 workshops, a medical center, a physical education building, gymnasium, central auditorium and numerous buildings including the university center. As soon as you enter the campus along a road, you will come to the round square. There is a flower garden and a sculpture of the war of liberation in the setting of Gol Chatwar with the inscription 'Shahjalal University of Science and Technology' in English.
It is surrounded by green grass and foliage, which enhances its beauty.
If you go a little inside the campus, you will see the beautiful Shaheed Minar. About 101 steps have to be crossed to climb to Shahid Minar, one of the most beautiful buildings in the country built on top of a hill. Besides, almost all the non-residential halls have a collection of high and low hills and mountains. Where the picture speaks volumes.
The signs of the spirit of the liberation war are spread everywhere in this university. The mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the great hero of independence, the father of the Bengali nation, stands tall like the glory of independence.
A single sculpture Chetna71 stands almost in the middle of the campus. In the sculpture, a boy is holding a Bangladeshi flag with one hand raised. A book in the hand of a girl in coexistence next to it, which indicates the Constitution of Bangladesh.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Kabir Hossain said that SUST is one of the models among all public universities. The light of this university is spreading within and outside the country. We are producing skilled graduates. Those who are gaining a reputation in the country and outside the country. Every department of the university has completed labs so that good researchers can be produced.
On the 34th anniversary of its establishment, the university's vice-chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed said, ‘‘the university has been making unique contributions to education and research since its inception. We are constantly moving forward by facing various obstacles and challenges. At present, the university is making visible progress in the field of good governance, infrastructure development, cultural activities, and humanities. We have constructed a six-kilometer-long border wall to secure the campus.
Infrastructural development on the campus has continued so that no more buildings will be needed in a hundred years. We hope that our progress will continue with the cooperation of all in the coming days to advance the university.’’
