Bangladesh, Czech Republic Aim to Strengthen Cooperation in Science, Culture and Innovation

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Berlin, in collaboration with the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, hosted an event titled “Building Bridges Through Science, Language and Diaspora Engagement” at the Department of Physics auditorium of the Academy in Prague yesterday.

Delivering the keynote address, Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany and concurrently accredited to the Czech Republic, Muhammad Zulqar Nain, highlighted the potential for expanding Bangladesh-Czech Republic cooperation in areas including culture, science, technology, start-ups and innovation through cultural, economic and science diplomacy.

The ambassador said Bangladesh's newly elected democratic government is placing renewed emphasis on strengthening engagement with its European Union partners following the restoration of democracy through the free and fair elections held on February 26.

He also paid tribute to the students, political activists and people from all walks of life who made the ultimate sacrifice during the July 2024 movement in Bangladesh.

Mgr. Táňa Dluhošová, director of the Oriental Institute, praised the initiative, noting that while Bangladesh and the Czech Republic share historical links through Rabindranath Tagore's visit and Bangladeshi students who studied in former Czechoslovakia, considerable opportunities for deeper cooperation remain untapped.

She said the embassy's initiative could serve as the foundation for a new chapter in bilateral relations.

David Muller, director general at the Czech Republic's Ministry of Trade and Industry, stressed that stronger cultural, linguistic, scientific and people-to-people exchanges could further boost economic ties between the two countries.

Vladimira Hirsch, head of the South Asia Desk at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue to grow through greater collaboration in culture, science and economic affairs.

Anna Marie Koubova, a Bengali language student at Charles University, recited a Bengali poem from Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali during the programme.

Representing the Bangladeshi community in Prague, Syed Hasan Mamun thanked the embassy, Czech government representatives and community members for their support, expressing hope that similar initiatives would continue in the future.

The programme concluded with a buffet featuring traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.

The event drew a diverse audience, including senior Czech government officials, academics, researchers, students, professionals, business leaders and members of the Bangladeshi community in Prague.