Special Correspondent: The World’s Poultry Science Association–Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB) successfully handed over the WPSA-BB Master’s Research Grants 2025 to postgraduate students from leading agricultural and veterinary universities in Bangladesh, marking another milestone in advancing research and innovation in the country’s poultry and livestock sectors.
The grant distribution ceremony was held onTuesday (December 23, 2025) at the WPSA-BB Secretariat, Rupayan Shopping Square, Bashundhara Residential Area, Dhaka. The programme was presided over by the President of WPSA-BB, while the research grants were formally handed over by the Chief Guest, Mr. Shamsul Arefin Khaled, representing the association.
The research grant initiative was supported by prominent poultry and animal health companies, including Aftab Bohumukhi Farms Ltd., Paragon Group, Avon Animal Health, Nourish Poultry and Renata PLC, reflecting strong industry-academia collaboration aimed at strengthening evidence-based development in Bangladesh’s poultry industry.
Among the senior WPSA-BB officials present at the ceremony were Mohammad Fayzur Rahman, General Secretary; Mohammad Tauheed Hossain, Vice President; Professor Dr. Md. Elias Hossain; Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali, Vice President; Dr. Mohammed Abdus Samad, Vice President; Kbd. Md. Mahabub Hasan; Kbd. Md. Abdur Rahman; Kbd. Md. Zakaria Islam; Dr. Md. Rakibur Rahman; and Dr. Biplab Kumar Pramanick, along with other high officials of the association. Grant recipients, their course supervisors and representatives of the sponsor companies also attended the event.
According to WPSA-BB sources, 11 Master’s students were selected for the 2025 research grants through a competitive evaluation process based on academic excellence and the national relevance of their proposed research. The selected research areas cover critical issues such as poultry health management, antimicrobial resistance, smart poultry farming technologies, environmental sustainability, zoonotic disease surveillance and innovative feed and nutrition strategies.
From Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Saiduzzaman of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene received the grant under the supervision of Professor Dr. KHM Nazmul Hussain Nazir, while Arifine Sultana from the Department of Poultry Science was awarded the grant with Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali as her supervisor. Another BAU student, Md. Mashurul Haque of the Department of Farm Power and Machinery, also received the grant under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Ashik-E-Rabbani.
From Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Mohammad Abrar Halim of the Department of Medicine and Surgery received the research grant under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sharmin Chowdhury.
Two students from Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) were also awarded grants. Md. Raju Munshi of the Department of Poultry Science conducted his research under Professor Dr. Swapon Kumar Fouzder, while Shammi Aktar from the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology carried out her study under the supervision of Professor Dr. Mohammad Rohul Amin.
From Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), Farjana Haque Mishu of the Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, received the grant under the supervision of Dr. Mueenia Jahan.
At Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Mst. Jannatiful from the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry received the research grant under the supervision of Dr. Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Khan, while another recipient from the same university, Mst. Beauty Aktar of the Department of Animal Production and Management, conducted her research under Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam.
From the University of Rajshahi, Most. Surya Sharmin of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science received the WPSA-BB Master’s Research Grant, with Professor Dr. K. M. Mozaffor Hossain serving as her course supervisor.
The list of recipients also included Md. Zisan Reza from the Department of Microbiology at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, who carried out his research under the supervision of Dr. Nazmi Ara Rumi.
WPSA-BB officials said the Master’s Research Grant programme continues to play a vital role in nurturing young researchers and generating scientific evidence to support sustainable poultry production, food security and public health protection in Bangladesh, while strengthening collaboration between academia and the poultry industry.
