A Virtual Arts Competition entitled ‘Colours of Nature’ was arranged to explore the commercial potential of superior quality Craft Papers invented from Water Hyacinth by the researchers of Khulna University financed by Blue Gold Innovation Fund of The Netherlands.
Prof Dr. Mohammad Feyeku Uzzaman, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University, inaugurated the competition as the chief guest on Sunday.
He said, Water Hyacinth is a major weed of Bangladesh which grows elsewhere in the canals, beels, ponds and fields of the country. The weed creates obstacles in production of fish and crops. So far, we did not find any economic potential of this weed.
But, the success of making the improved quality of craft paper from Water Hyacinth by the researchers of Khulna University under the financial assistance of Blue Gold Innovation Fund of the Nederlands is highly optimistic. Commercial use of the paper will impact positively for the socio-economic upliftment of the country.
He further mentioned, the Water Hyacinth weed will no longer be a menace as trash in the canals, beels and water bodies rather cottage industries would be built in rural areas based on this weed. It would also create employment and income generation through out the country. He also emphasised on the diverse use of the craft papers.
Presided over by Dr. Nazmul Ahsan, Professor of the department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology of the University, the function was attended, among others, by Professor Dr. Raihan Ali, Dean of Faculty of Biology as Special Guest andTanvir Islam, Fund Manager of Blue Gold Innovation Fund. The function was conducted and presented by Dr. Nazrul Islam, Co-Principal Investigator of Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline. A total of 34 students from Drawing and Painting Discipline participated the competition.
