"Education is the most important means to attain the goal of development and it is the teachers who can help the future generations to acquire knowledge of science and technology for social progress and economic development," she said.

Khaleda was talking to the newly elected office-bearers of Chittagong University Teachers' Association (CUTA) who called on her at the Prime Minister's Office here.

CUTA President Prof Dr Ahmed Fazle Hassan Chowdhury and General Secretary Prof Dr Mozaffar Ahmad Chowdhury led the delegation while CU Vice-chancellor Prof Dr AJM Nuruddin Chowdhury and Pro Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Shamsuddin were present.

There is no alternative to education to bring about social changes and attain the expected goal of development, she said and urged the teachers to devote themselves to research work and contribute to improve further the quality of education.

Khaleda said she will ask the authorities concerned to take proper steps after examining their demands.

The demands include improvement of residential and transport facilities for the teachers, building a sports complex on the campus, allocation of residential plots for the teachers by the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) and inclusion of the graduates of Marine Science Institute in the BCS cadre (Fisheries).

She said that she would ask the authorities to look into their demands for social science and commerce faculty buildings and a female residential hall.

She underscored the need for making the Chittagong University into a full-fledged residential university in phases and asked all concerned to work for achieving this objective.

Education Minister Dr Osman Farruk and Prime Minister's Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury were present.