On May 29, 2024, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) organized its very first combined field trip for the final year students of the Faculties of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Fisheries, and Agriculture. This innovative trip was coordinated by the respective guide teachers from each faculty, whose meaningful contributions ensured the program's success.
Among the three faculties, the students of Fisheries were particularly excited about the opportunity to learn directly from fish farmers at the village level. They gained invaluable insights beyond their academic studies, correlating classroom knowledge with practical field situations experienced by local farmers.
Mr. Md. Abu Kawsar, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aquaculture, guided one of the groups and shared his thoughts on the trip. He remarked, "This trip is truly educational, providing practical knowledge about rural fisheries to our students as they prepare to enter the workforce in just a few days. I thank the SAU authorities for organizing such a comprehensive trip."
Other guide teachers included Dr. Partho Protim Barman, Dr. Sarker Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, and Professor Dr. Mohammed Mahbub Iqbal, each leading their respective groups.
The students reported several findings from their field trip. They observed that most farmers practiced homestead fish farming. The pond water was almost turbid due to the rainy weather, and the pH of all visited ponds was below 7. They did not detect any ammonia in the pond water. Additionally, the farmers mentioned that they rarely received advisory services from authorized fisheries bodies.
Overall, the students expressed satisfaction with their combined field trip, appreciating the hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world situations.