'Bangladesh needs to understand USA'

Bangladesh aspiring to build its democratic institution on a sound footing needs to understand the USA, said Dr Mohammad Shamsuddin, pro-vice-chancellor of Chittagong University.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day regional conference on American Studies in the port city yesterday.

Organised jointly by the American Centre of the US Embassy and Bangladesh Association for American Studies, Chittagong, (BAASC), the conference was held at the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) auditorium.

Dr Mohammad Shamsuddin attended the inaugural session as chief guest while Karl Fritz, director of the American Centre as special guest.

Karl Fritz said the conference would help know the US role in the current world and form a view on how the US was achieving its ideals.

With Prof AHG Quddus in the chair, some seventy-five delegates including those from the newly formed South Asian Association for American Studies (SAAAS), the US, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are attending the conference.

Prof Golam Sarwar Chowdhury, general secretary of BAASC and convenor of SAAAS steering committee, delivered the address of welcome.

Prof Golam Sarwar, also the chairman of Department of English, Chittagong University, said one has to know and understand the USA as it is the lone super power of the present world.

Prof Ron Chepesiuk of the USA, currently a teacher at the Department of Journalism of Chittagong University, Prof Kamaluddin Ahmed, Prof Dr Mohit Ul Alam, Dr Syed Monzoorul Islam and Zaren Chowdhury took part in the discussion.