Kentucky State University strengthened its international academic partnerships through participation in a recent "smart agriculture" seminar at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Bangladesh on May 25, 2025.

Titled "Innovations in Smart Agriculture: Trends in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Mechanization," the seminar was hosted by HSTU's Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering, one of Bangladesh's leading institutions for agricultural sciences. The event was chaired by Dr. Kamal Uddin Sarker, head of the department, and led by Dr. Shah Nur Kabir.

Dr. Milon Chowdhury, assistant professor in the biological and agricultural engineering program at Kentucky State, presented research in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), demonstrating how these innovations align with global smart agriculture trends. He highlighted previous and ongoing research in the field of CEA, while emphasizing sustainable practices and technology-driven solutions that address modern agricultural challenges.

The seminar also served as a platform to introduce HSTU faculty, researchers, and students to Kentucky State's academic offerings, with a particular focus on the University's new Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs in biological and agricultural engineering launching in the fall 2025 semester.

"We were pleased to have Dr. Chowdhury as a speaker at the seminar," said Dr. Kabir. "His presentation provided undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members from HSTU's Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering, with valuable insights into smart agricultural technologies."

He added, "We look forward to exploring collaborations with Kentucky State to strengthen our academic and research partnerships."

Smart agriculture uses technology and data analytics to optimize farming operations and improve crop yields. The seminar explored advanced topics in controlled environment agriculture and agricultural mechanization, focusing on sustainable practices that can benefit both American and Bangladeshi agricultural sectors.