'Imams can contribute a lot to development'

The Imams, who have close connections with the communities, can successfully accomplish the job for the local communities who can change their lives by developing modern concepts, she said at a programme organised by the American Centre in the city.

Kustin, a graduate of English in Whitman College in the USA, has completed a one-year study on relationship between Islam and development in the country. She did her research on 'Politics of Partnerships: Allying Islam and Development in Bangladesh'.

At the programme, a total of six Fulbright American scholars, out of seven, presented their research findings on different issues, including traditional medicine in healthcare, natural resources management in Chittagong Hill Tracts, impact of Multi-Fibre Agreements expiration, effectiveness of rote memorisation as a teaching method and functional fundraising in Bangladesh.

Judith A Chammas, deputy chief of the US Mission in Dhaka, and American Centre's Deputy Director Dr Michelle Jones also spoke.

Bridget Kustin said her idea about Islam has also changed after working with the Islamic leaders in the country.

"Before coming here, I only saw the Muslims on television and had a kind of negative image, but once I mixed with them here, my idea has changed. They are very welcoming and accepted me like their daughters," she said.

Another Fulbright scholar, Erin Tanner, who conducted her research on the effectiveness of rote learning, said the main shortcoming of the traditional method widely practiced in the country is that it does not help students develop their analytical and comprehensive qualities.

"This teaching technique is obsolete in most American schools, as the country moves toward interactive activity-based approaches to learning," she said.

Other Fulbright scholars who presented their research findings are Candace Coleman, Yacoub Raheem, Nausheen Akhter and Tia Koonse.