Eight Officials to Receive HVAC Training in United States

Eight senior officials from the Public Works Department are scheduled to travel to the United States to receive specialised training in central air conditioning systems. The training programme, officially titled “Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Training”, is designed to familiarise participants with advanced HVAC management techniques.

The trip is set for 15 March, a date finalised after three previous revisions. Among the participants is the project director of the ongoing infrastructure initiative linked to the training.

Background of the Project

The officials are visiting under a project that has faced criticism for delays and cost overruns. Initially estimated at BDT 2,388 crore, the project’s budget has been revised twice, currently standing at BDT 3,443 crore. According to an IMED report, the HVAC system installation is reportedly in its final stages, raising questions about the necessity of overseas training for officials not directly involved in construction or maintenance operations.

Additional concerns relate to the tenure of some participants; for instance, Ashraful Haque, Additional Chief Engineer (E/M), will retire in a few months, limiting his long-term involvement in the project. None of the eight officials are currently engaged in hands-on hospital construction or post-construction maintenance.

Sponsorship and Controversy

The trip will be fully funded by Dunham-Bush, a US-based multinational company specialising in chillers and HVAC systems. Dunham-Bush has a strong presence in Bangladesh, supplying central air conditioning systems to both government and private sectors, including several major shopping malls.

However, the fact that a supplier is financing the officials’ trip has sparked debate. Experts suggest that such arrangements may create an implicit sense of obligation to the company, potentially affecting objectivity and raising concerns about the quality of the supplied HVAC systems.

Officials Selected for the Trip

The officials’ upcoming visit is expected to provide them with technical exposure to global HVAC practices. Nonetheless, the relevance of the trip has drawn scrutiny given their limited direct involvement in the construction and maintenance phases of the project.