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This document is the narrative on the initiatives and achievement of IUBAT of its’ commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals. This report emphasizes the pioneer role of a university in achieving SDG goals in a developing country, Bangladesh. The data and narrative in this report are factually based but may not be comprehensive or up to date. It is anticipated that this report will evolve over time based on feedback from stakeholders.

Feedback, suggestions, correction requests, and questions should be sent to: Professor Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Director, IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies Office. marahman@iubat.edu / +88-02-01820425191

International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) has been operating sustainability activities under the CGEC-Centre for Global Environmental Culture since 2008. The sustainability program has been taken over by the IISS-IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies. IISS is especially focused on the education and research of SDGs. However, CGEC is the host of the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Dhaka which is a UN program of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It is envisioned that the RCE Greater Dhaka will serve as an example of good practice to other regions facing similar sustainability challenges and issues and contribute to the goals set by the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (https://www.rcegreaterdhaka.org/objectives.php). With its global network and collaboration with RCE, IUBAT has taken many UNU University recognizable sustainability projects on: Traditional knowledge, Knowledge Based Area Development, Improvement of health of urban slums, Global action plan on ESD, Students’ sustainability engagement, Rural home-centered farming for food security, Ecosystem management and Global citizenship education [ See annexure-1]. The sustainability practices operated at IUBAT include energy saving, wastewater reuse, waste management, tree plantation, reduction of carbon footprint, greening the campus etc. There is a combined effort of the faculty members, students, administration and operations lying behind as a Whole Institution Approach. This university has a nationwide impact because of playing the role of a model educational institution for sustainable activities in Bangladesh and training up resource persons for sustainability leading in Bangladesh’s future.

SDG 1 – NO POVERTY

RESEARCH & INNOVATION: 

IUBAT is to eradicate poverty in the country through developing skilled human resources from every corner of the society. The university is working on taking rural background students and grooming them through effective courses. The education loan of the university has proven successful in completing the education of the students. Tertiary education in private universities is expensive and there is limited seat capacity in public universities. As a pioneer non-government university IUBAT has opened the door of higher education to a vast number of students. The institution is also working on skilled human resource development and education access to meritorious but needy students. In 2023 IUBAT had 15 publications related to SDG 1.

TEACHING:

  • There are 12 degree programs at the university to train students for employment. These programs are in agriculture, engineering, business, economics, tourism & Hospitality, arts and health science and fulfill the needs of the socio-economic demands of the country.
  • There are 25 faculty members at the IUBAT whose work is closely related to SDG1
  • There are 12 undergraduate courses at the IUBAT related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • IUBAT policy on Student Financial Support states “Higher Education for Every Qualified Person with Finance for Meritorious but Needy.” See the policy in full at: https://www.iubat.edu/kbad/
  • The university provided jobs for 600+ academic and non-academic staff. Many of the staff are living on the poverty lines earning less than US$1.5 a day.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP:

The KBAD Project was set up at the IUBAT for achieving the vision of producing at least one professional graduate from each village/ward under the KBAD concept as a step towards community self-reliance. To materialize this vision and to translate the concept into reality, IUBAT has special provisions for supplementing the family resources of a student through scholarships, grant, fee waivers, deferred fee payment, on campus job, educational financing and the like. It is IUBAT policy to cater to the needs of all qualified students who aspire to higher professional regardless of the income level of his/her family through appropriate educational financing arrangements.

Each year, the IUBAT Rotaract Club with over 60 student volunteers works in collaboration with local people to deliver food and clothes to the most vulnerable communities.

IUBAT donates food in orphanages on several national days of the country to feed poor students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 32nd Foundation Day 2023 IUBAT distributed blankets to the poor people of Dhaka city on January 19, 2023.

More Info:

Link: https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/rce-greater-dhaka-2021?user=90&year=2021

SDG 2 – ZERO HUNGER

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • IUBAT was the first private institution of Bangladesh to offer an agriculture degree that is crucial for the agriculture-based country. These skilled graduates in agriculture and technology have been working on nutrition and food security of the country.
  • The university has so far 30 publications in the field of SDG-2 in 2023.
  • The IRRI rice germplasm and HYV rice and perennial rice harvesting ceremony was held at the IUBAT Agricultural Research Station (IARS), Rajendrapur, Gazipur on May 18, 2023. The talented team of researchers, farmers, and students worked tirelessly to cultivate these exceptional rice varieties. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of months of hard work, innovation, and collaboration, resulting in a bountiful harvest that promises to shape the future of agriculture.

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 20 faculty at IUBAT whose work is closely related to
  • The university is maintaining a high standard by employing faculty members who are all doctoral degree holders in agriculture or natural sciences.
  • The university acquired 12 hectares of land for agricultural research in Rajendrapur, Gazipur.

OUTREACH:

IRRI rice germplasm and HYV rice harvesting ceremony held at the IUBAT Agricultural Research Station (IARS), Rajendrapur, Gazipur on May 18, 2023

SDG 3 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

The College of Nursing of the university offers nursing degrees and doing research related to SDG3. In bringing up the health service of the country higher degree in nursing is crucial for Bangladesh. There were 15 papers published iin  2023. The university opened a Master in Public Health(MPH)degree program in July 2023. The nursing college had done leading research on COVID-19 that was published in indexed journals.

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 15 faculty at IUBAT whose work is closely related to
  • The college has collaboration with many hospitals in Dhaka city.
  • The institution has a regular health assessment program in the community level across the country. In the urban area, the program is named Street Nursing.

IUBAT  NEWS RELATED TO SDG 3: 

The College of Nursing organized a “General Health Check-up Program” on 28 January, 2023 and on 15 October at the IUBAT Open Auditorium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Mental Health Day 2022, a seminar on “Managing Personal Stress” was held on Saturday, 15th October 2023

SDG 4 – QUALITY EDUCATION

RESEARCH & INNOVATION: 

IUBAT ranked the #1411 position in the QS World University Rankings 2024. It is ranked 601-800 position out of 1591 worldwide ranked institutions in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023. THE uses carefully calibrated indicators to provide a comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. The overall performances of IUBAT are as follows:

  • This year, 1591 institutions are ranked worldwide from 112 countries and regions, including 12 public and private institutions in Bangladesh ranked by THE Impact Ranking 2023.
  • IUBAT secured 4th position among enlisted twelve Bangladeshi Public and Private Universities.
  • IUBAT obtained 1st position among Bangladeshi Universities in SDG 17(Partnerships for goals).
  • IUBAT is the host of the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Dhaka of the UN Flagship project on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/rce-profile-detail/935

TEACHING:

  • IUBAT has a mandatory ESD course for all undergraduate students since 2013. This course builds up a positive attitude of the students toward environment and sustainability.
  • All the 12-degree offering programs of the university offer  OBE-Outcome Based Education.
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • The faculty members and program administrators ensure educational quality. IQAC- Institutional Quality Assurance Cell monitors and assesses quality of education .
  • There are 20 faculty at the IUBAT whose work is closely related to SDG 4.
  • The Environment Science Department offers  the mandatory ESD course in 10  undergraduate programs.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP:

IISS translated Global Education Monitoring Report 2021/22 of UNESCO.

IISS in association with UNESCO also translated Getting Climate Ready-A Guide for Schools on Climate Action and Global Education Monitoring Report 2021/22

IUBAT NEWS RELATED TO SDG 4:

Sustainability Fest and poster competition held at IUBAT on 29 Oct 2022 on the reflection of student learning on ESD of one thousand freshmen

SDG 5 – GENDER EQUALITY

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The university conducts research related to gender equality

TEACHING: 

  • There are 15 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS: 

  • There are 15 faculty at the IUBAT whose work is closely related to
  • The University offers additional 15% scholarship for female students.
  • Male/Female job ratio is about 60:40.
  • The Sexual Harassment Committee monitors harasssment cases and take necessary actoions. University submitted its Final Report on Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP: 

The University has an ongoing study on female participation in study and employment annually to ensure equal opportunity in gender.

IUBAT  NEWS RELATED TO SDG 5:

International Women’s Day celebration at IUBAT.  The theme of this year’s “Women’s Day is Gender Equality Today for Sustainable Tomorrow.”

SDG 6 – CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

RESEARCH

The university has 8 scholarly publications related to SDG 6  between 2018 and 2020. The faculty members of the university are doing research on the water quality index analysis of Turag River. It is to be mentioned that Turag is a much-polluted river due to textile and other industries pollution with an oxygen content near zero in the dry season. It needs annual monitoring and assessment of water quality.

For the biodiversity conservation effort of Turag River IUBAT is planning to release fish spawn and beneficial frog species in the river.

TEACHING:

  • There are 6 undergraduate courses at the  University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 5 faculty at IUBAT whose work is closely related to
  • The University used a large deep pond for rainwater harvesting in the campus area. The size of the pond is 150X150 m2
  • A water pollution refinery has been designed, tested and ready for use by municipal and other agencies.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP:

  • The university has basic ongoing research on the water quality monitoring of the major rivers in Dhaka city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IUBAT pond is used for rainwater harvesting and fish cultivation

SDG 7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has scholarly 20 publications related to SDG7 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 10 undergraduate courses at the University related to Department of Electrical Engineering is leading the renewable energy research.
  • Browse the course inventory at: : https://iiss.iubat.edu/

 

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 8 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • The university building is designed to use natural air and light with no air conditioning in the classrooms, faculy rooms and offices
  • A 234 KW solar panel installed at the rooftop of the campus building is one of the largest solar panels in education institute.

A 234 KW solar panel installed at the roof top of the campus building

SDG 8 – DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 27 scholarly publications related to SDG 8 between 2022-23.
  • The university has pioneer research on Green HRM (Human Resource Management), Sustainable Leadership and Sustainable Organization.

TEACHING:

  • There are 60 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 50 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • The University has an alumni and placement office for the graduates.
  • The University is a provider of jobs for the alumni and has many options where the undergraduates can earn and study.

NEWS RELATED TO SDG 8:

      

Hult Prize for Social Enterprise Competition held at IUBAT on 28 Feb 2023

SDG 9 – INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 90 scholarly publications related to SDG 9 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 150 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 9.
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 45 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • Department of Civil Engineering is a leader in education and research for developing sustainable solutions for the global community. The department conducts research across a wide range of relevant fields and the department teaches a variety of undergraduate courses training future leaders in the development of infrastructure around the

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP:

IUBAT Innovation Hub A collaborative ideation, learning and maker space will enable students and educators, joining with entrepreneurs, business leaders, local government officials, alumni, and educational partners, to co-create and realize the power of human innovation through cross-pollination of education, business and community talent immersed in the best of startup culture.

NEWS RELATED TO SDG 9:

IIEC- IUBAT Innovation & Entrepreneur Center organized a National Innovation Competition- Technocrats V.1 on 15 March 2023 at the IUBAT campus. More than 70 teams from all over the country participated in this event. Mustafa Jabbar, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications joined this event.  [more pics]

              

IUBAT Robotics Club (IRC) and Department of EEE, IUBAT in association with Techfest IIT Bombay organized two days long the biggest tech event of Bangladesh, “iTech Expo- IUBAT 2022”. From the event, six winning teams of Robowar zonal will get a chance to represent Bangladesh at Asia’s largest science and tech event in India. The event was organized at a large scale where school and college level students also participated in different categories. More than a hundred teams of about five hundred people joined the event.

SDG 10 – REDUCED INEQUALITIES

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 12 scholarly publications related to SDG 10 between 2022-23.
  • Under KBAD program stated below merit Scholarship has been given approximately BDT 164.9 million; Interest free loan approximately BDT 20 million; Special Scholarship BDT 0.66 million with a total sum 185.56 million BDT or 2.2 m USD. This unique program complies with SDG goals 4.3, 4.4 and 4.7. These goals ensure equal access to affordable, technical, tertiary and sustainable education for all leaving no one behind. KBAD is a model to eradicate educational discrimination in a nation by removing financial barriers in tertiary education.

TEACHING:

  • There are 6 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 20 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 10.
  • The University on accessible higher education to all regardless of their economic circumstances. See the https://www.iubat.edu/kbad/t for more
  • IUBAT policy on Student Financial Support states “Higher Education for Every Qualified Person with Finance for Meritorious but Needy.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP:

The KBAD Project at the University is “IUBAT has set out the long term vision of producing at least one professional graduate from each village/ward under the KBAD concept as a step towards community self-reliance. To materialize this vision and to translate the concept into reality, IUBAT has special provision for supplementing the family resources of a student through scholarship, grant, fee waiver, deferred payment, campus job, educational financing and the like. It is IUBAT policy to cater to the needs of all qualified students who aspire to higher professional education-regardless of the income level of his/her family through appropriate educational financing arrangements.

SDG 11 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 20 scholarly publications related to SDG 11 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 6 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • IUBAT is ranked as UI GreenMetrics University of the world.
  • The building material of the university is plaster free hollow brick.
  • The classroom of the university using natural air and light, electric fan having no air conditioner.

Nation’s First Cleaning Campaign Conducted by IUBAT Students in the Metro Rail Station on 27 Feb 2023

SDG 12 – RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 20 scholarly publications related to SDG 12 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 10 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • Recycling and waste reduction are high priorities at the University. One metric ton of plastic recycled at IUBAT each year is equivalent to 6 ton CO2 emission cut each year.
  • Providing bus service to carry students from all around Dhaka city.
  • IUBAT students have designed many projects using plastic waste materials. [Add project pic.]

 

Plastic waste recycling at IUBAT

SDG 13 – CLIMATE ACTION

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 22 scholarly publications related to SDG 13 between 2022-23.
  • The university has leading research on climate change and disaster management.

 TEACHING:

  • There are 20 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

 OPERATIONS:

  • There are 10 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to

PROJECTS AND OUTREACH

  • Rural Home-Centered Aggregating Farming (RHCAF) for Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Climate Action
  • Training of school teachers on climate action in association of Government and UNESCO
  • Food Security and Soil Fertility of Hilly Areas of Bangladesh
  • Wetland preservation around Dhaka City Area
  •  Food plant solution: Local Fruit trees Role on Nutrition on Climate Change
  •  Sustainable Landscape Management for ecosystem restoration, disaster risk reduction and climate action in Bangladesh

      

United Nations University of Global RCE project award on 2022 on Climate Action


World Environmental Day 5 June was observed at IUBAT through various activities. A seminar organized at IUBAT on 7th June by the Department of Environmental Science and IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies (IISS).

 

SDG 14 – LIFE BELOW WATER

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 6 scholarly publications related to SDG 14 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 2 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 14.
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 4 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • The Department of Environmental Science at the University has ongoing research on coastal ecosystem and delta management.

National Environmental Fair 5-11 June, 2023 held at Dhaka organized by Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment. IUBAT stall showcased demo projects to Beat Plastic Pollution on the theme of reducing micro-plastics pollution damaging marine environment.

SDG 15 – LIFE ON LAND

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 20 scholarly publications related to SDG 15 between 2022-23.
  • The university conducted research on plastic pollution by the tourism industry and proposed sustainable solutions for biodiversity conservation and resource-efficient service industry.
  • The university has leading research on industrial solid waste management.

TEACHING:

  • There are 12 undergraduate courses at the University related to
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 8 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to
  • The Department of Environmental Science at the University has ongoing research on Life on Land.
  • The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management is very much concerned with Eco-Tourism and care for local environment. Every year the department organizes a cleaning program in the natural tourist spot of the country.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP

Department of Environmental Science is to train and develop, well well-equipped man power to tackle the growing environmental and developmental problems and changes arising from the transition to a sustainable society. In the 21st century caring for natural resource and facing the threats of climate change there is special needs of scientific knowledge and skills that are fulfilled by the program.

 

Illegally Sold Pond Herons Captured and Released at IUBAT Pond

SDG 16 – PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

  • The University has 08 scholarly publications related to SDG 16 between 2022-23.

TEACHING:

  • There are 3 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 16.
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 16.
  • The Department of English at the university has ongoing research on Peace and Justice and they publish innational dailies on various affairs shown below:

International Mother Language Day held at IUBAT on 21st February 2023

SDG 17 – PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

RESEARCH, INNOVATION

  • The University has 05 scholarly publications related to SDG 17 between 2022-23.
  • IUBAT obtained 1st position among Bangladeshi Universities in SDG 17(Partnerships for goals) in the global Times Higher Education ranking.

TEACHING:

  • There are 5 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 17.
  • Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

  • There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 17.
  • IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies is working on Global Citizenship Education of UNESCO. The purpose of the project is to provide a pedagogical guidance to teachers of the country.

OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION

  • WWOOF-World Wide Opportunities of Organic Farming Bangladesh
  • Global Soil Laboratory Network( GLOSOLAN)
  • Regional Centre of Expertise, RCE Greater Dhaka, a UNU Program
  • Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

 

 

Upcoming Sustainability Initiative at IUBAT 

  1. Install Wastewater Treatment Process for recycling
  2. Install Automated sensor water taps in less used areas to save water
  3. Install Automated sensor for lights, fans, A.Cs ++
  4. Organize Training on waste reduction and sustainability issues for teachers and staff, security guards, cleaners
  5. Use Plastic free bottles in the café
  6. Use of 250 ml small mineral water bottles in the café, restaurant, seminar, and meetings events.
  7. Users taking water from water filters must use their own bottles.
  8. Install a water filter outside of the campus for community service
  9. Ban plastic bags inside the campus. Promote the use of jute bags, paper bags
  10. Appoint a faculty for sustainability inspection on the campus
  11. Procure and release captivated wild birds on the campus in association with the Wild Life Crime Control Unit of the Bangladesh Government for Biodiversity Conservation
  12. Target paper-free office. Reduce printing by all teachers, staff, and students using email and electronic media. Print both sides of a paper sheet. Reuse on-sided printed pages for draft writing/printing.
  13. Recycle old exam scripts by sending them directly to a paper factory that uses such papers for paper production.
  14. Prepare, preserve and upload on the website policies and reports on sustainability programs and activities.

 

ANNEX

Annex-1 

 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in IUBAT 

Founded in 1991 by Prof. Dr. M Alimullah Miyan, IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology is the first nongovernment university in Bangladesh. IUBAT has set out the long-term vision of producing one professional graduate from each village of Bangladesh to contribute towards the creation of a knowledge-based society. Its mission is human resource development through appropriate teaching, training and guidance as well as creation of knowledge conducive to socio-economic development of developing societies in general and that of Bangladesh in particular. The university in pursuance of its mission of socio-economic development has established a Centre for Global Environment and Culture (CGEC) in 1999 which became the host of Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Dhaka in 2011 and earned UN Flagship and Good Practice awards for spreading environmental education in 10 consecutive years (2012-2021). In 2008, IUBAT introduced a Program on Sustainability under CGEC. It has made a three-credit course on Environment and Sustainability mandatory for all undergraduate students of IUBAT. To meet its commitment to contribute to the achievement of SDGs, it has established the IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies (IISS) in 2019.

IISS is an education and research focused institute on sustainable development goals. It offers Certificate and Diploma courses and a Master in Sustainability Studies. The Institute illustrates implementation and demonstration of the SDGs by way of setting several practical models of projects at the field level. It also offers consultancy services for capacity building of the institutions engaged in SDG achievement. The resource persons are taken from internal and external sources. The milestone achievement of IUBAT is given below:

  • Establishment of Centre for Global Environmental Culture (CGEC) in 1999
  • Started Program on Sustainability in 2003 under CGEC
  • Education for Sustainability program under CGEC
  • Declaration of IUBAT Green Campus on 12 Aug 2008
  • Hosted of Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Dhaka in 2011 under CGEC
  • Started ESD undergrad course in 2012 mandatory for all
  • Development of ESD Curriculum for Undergrads
  • Participation in the IPCC: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation: Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – 2012: Lead and Contributing Authors IPCC Working Group II. Cambridge University Press: ISBN 978-1-107-025006-6, www.cambridge.org/978117607804
  • IGBP and APN on the project: Global Environmental Change and Sustainable Development-Needs for the LDCs from 2011-2014
  • Published 10 High Impact Articles on Sustainable Development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Weather and Climate Extremes
  • IUBAT and RCE Greater Dhaka Awarded 2nd Prize from the Ministry of Environment and Forest in Word Environment Day 2014 for its outstanding achievement on the Theme Science behind Tradition for Raise Your Voice No More Sea Level Rise
  • RCE Greater Dhaka Received UN Flagship Project Award in 2013, in Nairobi for expanding ESD through Knowledge Based Area Development in Bangladesh
  • IUBAT Translated and adapted UNESCO “Global Citizenship Education” Document in 2018
  • IUBAT Translated UNESCO Document “Getting Climate Ready-Guide for School” in 2021.
  • Over twelve thousands undergrads were trained since 2012 through ESD course.
  • RCE Greater Dhaka received UNU Awards in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 & 2018,2019,2020 and 2021 for sustainable activities
  • UNU Flagship project in 2021: Human Resource Development and the need for Financial Assistance to poor & meritorious students under the project Knowledge Based Area Development (KBAD) in COVID-19.
  • Hosted 13th International Knowledge Globalization Conference 2018 on SDGs
  • National Seminar on Ways to Achieving SDG Educational Targets 4.3, 4.4 and 4.7 in Bangladesh 21 November 2019
  • IISS launched at 23 April 2019 focused on research and training on SDGs
  • UI GreenMetrics ranked Green Campus university in 2019, 2020 and 2021
  • Annually over hundred schools campaigning were done till COVID-19. 

Special Achievement on ESD Activities 

  • RCE Greater Dhaka received 2016 RCE Award for Innovative Project in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Whole-institutional approach of RCE Greater Dhaka through water reuse, biodiversity conservation, and youth mobilization in commitment to the GAP on ESD Project Type: Engaging with transformative learning and research for sustainable development
  • RCE Greater Dhaka received 2021 RCE Flagship Award for contribution in SDG 4 Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development Project- KBAD-A Real Time Opportunity for Sustainability Education During Covid-19
  • RCE Greater Dhakareceived 2021 RCE Honorable Mention Award for contribution in SDG 4 Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development Project- Students Engagements in Sustainability Activities

Fig 1: Showing IUBAT Whole Institute approach on ESD [1]

 Action Research on Environmental Sustainability

The CGEC the host of all ESD activities of IUBAT completed several action researches on Environmental Development in a Rural Community with resource support of UNDP channeled through the Sustainable Environmental Management Program (SEMP), Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOB. Implemented programs were listed below:

  • Proceedings of The Dialogue on Education For Sustainability Held on August 12, 2008 at CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka, Bangladesh Time: 10:30 AM to 2:0 PM
  • Special Plantation Program -2008: November 18, 2008, IUBAT Campus, Uttara, Dhaka
  • Campaign against Turag River Pollution: November 18, 2008
  • The Role of Education for Sustainability in Pollution Control: November 25, 2008, IUBAT Conference Hall, IUBAT, Uttara, Dhaka
  • Participated in the Workshop on Finalization of Standing Orders on Disaster Management, organized by The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, Disaster Management Bureau, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UNDP-Bangladesh
  • Bandarban Hill District, Chittagong Hill Tracts to plan for a model Sustainable Upland Agricultural and Biodiversity project.
  • Workshop on Education for Sustainable Development through Community Learning Centre (CLC), Organized by UNESCO, Okayama University, Japan & Ahsania Mission, Dhaka, Bangladesh, IDB Bhaban, Dhaka, January 11-12, 2009
  • Seminar on Solar Energy for High-Rise Buildings in Urban Areas: Held on July 30, 2009 at IUBAT Conference Hall, Dhaka
  • Study on the Traditional Practices for Solid Waste Recycling in Rural Homes, Paper presented in the International Conference on Solid Waste Management; Waste Safe Proceeding 2009 held on November 9 and 10, 2009 at KUET, Khulna, Bangladesh.  Vol. 2: pp 707-716
  •  “Save Uttara Lake” an awareness program was organized jointly with the Daily Samokal, February 25, 2009
  •   Plantation program 2010 in 5th June 2010
  •   EfS-Education for Sustainability has prepared a Handbook on Awareness and Practices, and curricula for age group 12 and above is in progress
  •  Activity classes were also taken for the Students of IUBAT under Education Planning Course
  • Bamboo: an Excellent Plantation Crop for Climate Change Adaptation; IUBAT Conference Hall, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka, April 25, 2010
  • Coconut: a Great Plantation Crop for Climate Change Adaptation; IUBAT Conference Hall, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka, May 2, 2010
  • Seminar on Climate Change and Global Food Insecurity: A Trend Analysis by Fulbright Scholar Dr Mohammed Rabbi, Associate Professor, Life Sciences and  Science, Valley Forge Military College, Pennsylvania, USA, January 10, 2014
  • Seminar on Fungal Role in Ecosystems and Fungal in Human by Dr Babla Singha Barua (Head Researcher), Mushroom Research and Development Office, Jinen Koubo, Co., Ltd, Gunma, Japan, March 5, 2014
  • Participated in the 7th Beijing International Forum on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the Fourth Asia-Pacific Expert Meeting 26-29 October 2016, Beijing, China
  • RCE Greater Dhaka: Biodiversity Conservation, Chapter 5; In Innovation in Local and Global Learning Systems for Sustainability: Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity- Learning Contributions of the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development; United Nations University Institute of Advance Studies (UNU-IAS) Yokohama, Japan e-ISBN: 978-92-808-4540-2; United Nations University-2013
  • “Improvement of Health, Hygiene and Nutritional Status of Urban Slum Dwellers:
    A Programme of RCE Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh”;RCE Booklet-2017; United Nations University, Japan

Collaborative research Programs with International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Synthesis Integration and Exploration (IGBP SIE): Sweden in 2015-2016.

  •   Droughts in Environmental Changes and Sustainability of Asian Least Developing Countries (LDCs)
  •   Flood in the Context of Environmental Changes and Sustainability: Bangladesh and Nepal
  •   Marine Environment of Bangladesh and Myanmar
  •   Coastal Zone Management in  Bangladesh

Other ongoing Projects:

  • Preparation of Master of Sustainability Studies (MSS) Course Curriculum for Post graduates.
  • Rural Home-Centered Aggregating Farming (RHCAF) for Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Climate Action
  • Study on traditional production of Date palm sugar in Faridpur
  •   Food Security and Soil Fertility of Hilly Areas of Bangladesh, a running project
  •   Wetland preservation in Dhaka City Area: A project has been submitted to Ramsar Bureau
  •   Sustainable Landscape Management in Bangladesh, project is in progress
  •   Study on under-utilized species, is in progress
  •   Established a Germplasm Centre at Ashulia, Uttara, Dhaka.

REFERENCE

  1. Muhammad Rehan Dastagir, Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Muhammad Azizul Hoque. 2017.“Mobilizing Education for Sustainable Development Program in the Regional Centre of Expertise Greater Dhaka: IUBAT Whole-Institution approach of Global Action Program.”
    IUBAT Review 1 (2): 49-64. iubat.edu/journal
  2. https://iubat.edu/cgec/
  3. https://iubat.edu/iiss
  4. https://www.rcegreaterdhaka.org
  5. https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/rce-profile-detail/rce-greater-dhaka

A Complete Sustainable Development Report of 2022 is available bellow