"Our objective is to make the opportunities of higher education available for the students in the country and maintain the world standard in education and science," she told a function marking the laying of foundation stone of Comilla University.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Comilla University to be constructed on 50 acres of land at Lalmai Bihar, Moynamati.

She said the government has already started implementing various programmes for expanding the facilities of quality education and research in the public universities.

Under the guidance of the University Grants Commission (UGC), a high-profile committee with personalities and educationists, has formulated a 20-year 'strategic plan' for ensuring standard higher education and its expansion, she said.

Addressing a public meeting here on December 24, 2003, Khaleda announced to set up a full-fledged public university in Comilla.

The Education Minister announced that the university would be inaugurated by September this year while classes will start in January 2007.

Earlier, Khaleda unveiled the foundation stone of 'Anirban-Z' at Comilla Cantonment.

The Z-force, the 1st regular brigade, was formed during the Liberation War while its head office was set up in Comilla in 1972. The name 'Z-force' was given after the name of late President Ziaur Rahman.

Later, the PM also unveiled the memorial plaque of Comilla Sadar Dakkhin upazila.