Petrobangla, the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, has entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to enhance cooperation in education, research and professional training. The agreement was formally signed on Thursday at Petrobangla’s headquarters.
According to a press release issued by Petrobangla following the signing ceremony, the collaboration aims to promote the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and institutional experience between the two organisations. Through these exchanges, both parties expect to strengthen their research capabilities, broaden opportunities for professional skill development, and jointly organise seminars, workshops and academic events that will enhance national scientific capacity.
The signing ceremony was attended by BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badrizzaman and Petrobangla Chairman Md Rejanur Rahman. The MoU was signed by Petrobangla Secretary Md Amzad Hossain on behalf of the corporation, while Professor Muhammad Shariful Islam, Director of the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), signed on behalf of BUET.
According to the statement, the MoU grants BUET expanded access to laboratories, specialised software and technical facilities. It also allows BUET researchers to visit drilling sites, geological survey locations, processing plants and coal mines, where appropriate. Such access will help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industrial practice. Conversely, the practical experience gathered from these field visits and exchanges will be incorporated into BUET’s academic curriculum, ensuring that engineering education aligns more closely with current industry standards.
The agreement also specifies that BUET may utilise various data relevant to research, provided the information is not classified, sensitive or related to national security. This provision is expected to support advanced academic studies and help generate research findings that can be applied directly to national development projects, particularly in the energy and mineral sectors.
One notable feature of the agreement is its automatic renewal clause. Once the initial five-year term expires, the MoU may be extended for an additional five years without requiring a complete renegotiation, subject to mutual consent. This arrangement reflects a long-term vision for sustained institutional cooperation rather than a temporary, project-specific partnership.
The Petrobangla press release emphasises that knowledge, technology and experience exchange is a widely recognised global practice, essential for innovation and long-term progress. The partnership between a major national corporation and the country’s most prestigious engineering university is described as a mutually beneficial platform for cooperation, rather than a donor-recipient relationship. Instead, it is framed as a collaborative effort aimed at shared development and capacity building.
BUET, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s leading engineering university, enjoys an international reputation for excellence. Its graduates have earned distinction by contributing to major infrastructure, technological and industrial projects both in Bangladesh and abroad. Petrobangla expressed confidence that the MoU will harness this academic strength to support national priorities in energy exploration, mineral development and scientific research.
The agreement is expected to foster a steady flow of innovation and skilled manpower, ultimately contributing to national development. Both institutions expressed optimism that the partnership will strengthen the country’s technological base and encourage young engineers to engage in advanced research linked to Bangladesh’s future energy needs.