National University and Bangla Academy have initiated steps to sign a memorandum of understanding on co-publications, aiming to jointly develop, print, publish and market quality textbooks, translated works and other important publications. A joint meeting on the proposed agreement was held Monday at the Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Hall of Bangla Academy in the capital.

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A S M Amanullah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam attended the meeting. Participants discussed different aspects of jointly publishing textbooks, translated books and other works under the co-publications programme, and decided the two institutions would also work together on printing, publishing and marketing.

Amanullah said ensuring quality and reliable textbooks for National University students was a key responsibility. He said cooperation with Bangla Academy could help publish better textbooks, translations and research-oriented books suited to students’ needs, while expanding knowledge practice and research in Bangla. The meeting expressed hope that collaboration would later broaden into education, research and other publishing fields.