Live Correspondent: A-two daylong Lab on implementation of National Integrity Strategy (NIS) and Annual Performance Agreement (APA) began on 27 December at Venus Resort of Bandarban district. University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has organized the programme at national level for making the activities of universities transparent, dynamic and vibrant and also ensuring the best practices in manners among the employees in their workplaces. Bir Bahadur UShwe Sing, MP, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs was present at the inaugural ceremony of the Lab as the Chief Guest.

With UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Kazi Shahidullah in the chair, N. M. Ziaul Alam, paa, Senior Secretary, ICT Division, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Secretary (Coordination and Reforms), ndc, Cabinet Division, Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain, Member, UGC, Professor Dr. Dil Afroza Begum, Member, UGC, Professor Dr. Md. Sazzad Hossain, Member, UGC and Professor Dr. Muhammed Alamgir, Member, UGC were present as Special Guests. Kyaw Shwe Hla, Chairman, Bandarban Hill District Council was present on the occasion as the Guest of Honor. UGC Member Professor Dr. M. Shah Nowaz Ali delivered the address of welcome on the occasion. High officials from Cabinet Division, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and UGC were present in the inaugural ceremony.

In his speech, the Chief Guest Bir Bahadur UShwe Sing said that best practices in manners have to be cultivated from grass root level. He urged all concerned for doing something good for the development of the country by discharging their duties with sincerity, honesty and integrity.

In the presidential speech, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Kazi Shahidullah observed that corruption is number one problem of the country. The development of the country is possible if this disease could be curbed. The present government is trying to implement National Integrity Strategy through innovation. He stressed the need for cultivating best practices in manners from family level. He called upon the university teachers' community to concentrate more on research activities for the quality development of higher education.

Annual Performance Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals-4, 7^th and 8^th  Five Year Plan, National Education Policy-2010, relevant higher education policies and implementation of these issues at university level, election manifesto and review of annual performance agreements signed between UGC and 46 public universities  so far are expected to come up for the discussion in the two-day event.

Annual Performance Agreement is being signed between UGC and public universities of the country with a view to making the activities of universities transparent, accountable, dynamic and vibrant. On the other hand, the government has declared National Integrity Strategy Implementation for ensuring best practices in manners at workplaces of the employees of the state.

M Ziaul Alam, paa, Senior Secretary, ICT Division, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Secretary (Coordination and Reforms), ndc, Cabinet Division, Dr. Aruna Biswas, Additional Secretary( Admn. and Finance), Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education, Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuiya, Deputy Secretary, Cabinet Division, Zakia Parvin, Deputy Secretary, Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education, R H Alaul Kabir, Senior Assistant Secretary, ICT Division and Muhammad Saiful Islam, Senior Assistant Secretary, Cabinet Division will deliver their speeches as resource persons in the event.

Vice-Chancellors, Registrars from 21 public universities and focal points of Annual Performance Agreement are taking part in the two day event.

Dhaka 27 December (campuslive24.com)//az