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.

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 SDG1
• Browse the course inventory at: /

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.net/kbad/

• IUBAT offers various forms of financial support to help supplement a student’s family resources. These include scholarships, grants, fee waivers, deferred payment options, on-campus employment, and educational financing. The university is committed to ensuring that all qualified students—regardless of their family’s income level—have access to higher professional education through suitable financial assistance arrangements. See the list of scholarships at: /admission/scholarships/
• 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.

The KBAD Project at the IUBAT 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.”

Figure: Knowledge Based Area Development (KBAD) program of IUBAT that supports many students to complete their study with dignity by providing financial aid

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

IUBAT donated food in orphanage in several national days of the country to feed poor students.

MoreInfo:Link: https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/rce-greater-dhaka

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 15 publications in the field of SDG2 in 2024.
• Extensive research activities perform by the both students and faculty members in the wide range of agriculture system. Outstanding research outcomes try to solve the problem of hunger in regards of mitigate the problem of food, agriculture, natural resources and environment under the vision of SDG 2: Zero hunger. More research information at: https://cas.iubat.edu/research/
• CAS ran a multi-year trial on perennial rice lines obtained from Yunnan University; the work continued in 2024 at the IUBAT Agricultural Research Station (IARS) in Rajendrapur and received media coverage (Mati-O-Manush, BTV).
• 6^th National Scientific Conference on Food Safety & Health was held at IUBAT campus on 2^nd March 2024, Organized by Bangladesh Society for Safe Food (BSSF) and cooperation by College of Agricultural Science (CAS).More information at:/news/event.html?e=6th-national-scientific-conference-on-food-safety-health
• The College of Agricultural Sciences organized World Food Day activities (Oct 24, 2024) and other outreach events, linking research themes (food security, sustainable production) to campus programming.

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.

• UBAT’s agriculture faculty focus combines field/experimental crop research (example: perennial rice trials) with applied lab work (pathology, entomology, soil science) and an increasing interest in digital/agro-AI applications.

OUTREACH:

Figure: College of Agricultural Sciences of IUBAT arranged a seminar to celebrate World Food Day on 16 October 2024

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The university has 57 scholarly publications related to SDG 3by the year2024.
• 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. The program seeks to prepare students for a career in international standard professional nursing with the goal of improving health care and overall quality of life in any country. 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. Extensive research was conducted on various health and medical issues and about 57 research articles published in 2024 at indexed journals related to SDG 3.

OPERATIONS:

• There are 15 faculty at IUBAT whose work is closely related to SDG 3
• 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.
• Awareness program like breast cancer awareness program was scheduled atOctober 21, 2024arrange by the College of Nursing.

IUBAT NEWS RELATED TO SDG 3:

• College of Nursing, IUBAT, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Samity and Update Dental College & Hospital, was organizing a “General Health Check-up Program”. Additionally, there was a voluntary “Blood Donation Campaign” conducted by the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Samity and a “Dental Camp” by Update Dental College & Hospital.
• In addition, mentalhealth is not just the absence of mental illness, but a positive state of well-being that enables individuals to realize their abilities, learn, and contribute to society. Keep that in mind, Department of Psychologyarrange a seminar on “Prioritizing Mental Health at the Workplace”,scheduled for December 10, 2024.This insightful seminar wasfeatured ProfessorHew Gill, President and Provost of Universal College Bangladesh and a distinguished Chartered Psychologist, as the keynote speaker.

A seminar on Prioritizing Mental Health at the Workplace

Figure: College of Nursing, in collaboration with DMCANS Uttara, hosted a “Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar” on October 21, 2024

SDG 4 – Quality Education

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The university has 12 scholarly publications related to SDG 6 by the year 2024.
• In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024, IUBAT was ranked among the world’s universities at #1411 +. It was placed 11th among all universities in Bangladesh and 6th among private universities in Bangladesh. In QS World University Rankings 2025, IUBAT is reported again in the #1401+ band. In the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024, IUBAT secured the 109th position globally among the “Global Top 300 Innovative Universities.”The overall performances of IUBAT are as follows:
• TheTHE Impact Ranking 2024 evaluated 2152 institutions worldwide from 125 countries, with 1963 universities included in the rankings, including 19 public and private universities in Bangladesh.

• IUBAT secured 11th position among all universities in Bangladesh and 6th among private universities in Bangladesh.
• 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).

Link: 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 2021/22of UNESCO.
• IISS in association with UNESCO also translated Getting Climate Ready-A Guide for Schools on Climate Actionand Global Education Monitoring Report 2021/22

The Miyan Research Publication Reward Ceremony was taking place on February 15, 2024 at IUBAT. This annual ceremony recognizes successful researchers within the Miyan research Institute.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

• IUBAT Institute of SDG Studies (IISS) is especially concerned on research related to Gender related issues.
• The university has 05 scholarly publications related to SDG 5 on 2024.

TEACHING

• There are 15 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 5.

Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS

• There are 15 faculty at the IUBAT whose work is closely related to SDG 5.
• The University 15% more scholarship is available for female
• Male/Female job ratio is in good
• The University submitted its Final Report on Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence and subsequent.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP

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

A seminar on “Awareness Building against Sexual Harassment” was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024,

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

• The university has 6 scholarly publications related toSDG 6 on 2024.
• The faculty members of the university are doing research on water quality index analysis of Turag River. It is to be mentioned that Turag is a much-polluted river due to textile industrial pollution with an oxygen content near zero in dry season needs annual monitoring and assessment of water quality.
• For the biodiversity conservation effort of Turag River IUBAT is aiming to release fish spawn and beneficial frog species in the river.

TEACHING:

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

OPERATIONS:

There are 5 faculty at IUBAT whose work is closely related to

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP

The university has pioneer research and industrial projects on ETP-Effluent Treatment Plant

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

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has scholarly 37 publications related to SDG7 by the year 2024.

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 SDG 7.
• The university building is designed to use natural air and light with no air conditioning in the classrooms, faculty 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 rooftop of the campus building

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 23 scholarly publications related to SDG 8 in 2024.
• The university has pioneer research on Green HRM (Human Resource Management), Sustainable Leadership and Sustainable Organization.
• The IIEC-IUBAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center organized a highly awaited and transformative competition that will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse regions throughout the nation of Bangladesh

TEACHING:

• There are 60 undergraduate courses at the University related toSDG 8.
• Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

• There are 50 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 8.
• 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:

This is a great chance for the students and graduates to engage with leading companies, explore various career paths, and showcase their skills and talents.

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 77 scholarly publications related to SDG 9 in 2024.

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 toSDG 9.
• 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:

The IIEC-IUBAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center is meticulously organizing a highly awaited and transformative competition that will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse regions throughout the nation of Bangladesh. This exceptional event, set to occur on December 6-7, 2024, is anticipated to be one of the most consequential and extensive gatherings of student innovators in recent times. With contributions from over 120 universities, Polytechnics and colleges, meticulously arranged into eight segments, this competition aims to enhance creativity, stimulate collaboration, and nurture a vigorous entrepreneurial spirit among participants.

IUBAT National Innovation Competition 2024- Technocrats V.2

IIEC- IUBAT Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre was organize a ‘Lab Exhibition ‘as part of the Month-Long Foundation Day Celebration on 20th January 2024.It was showcasing our new 3D Printers, other Lab facilities, Selected Projects showcasing, a Visual presentation of previous successful IUBAT-funded projects, and other Lab machinery & tools.

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• 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 SDG10.
• 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://iubat.net/kbad/ for more information.
• 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.”

On the face of large scale so called educated unemployment in the country, a question may arise as to the outcome of study by the students who have received financial assistance, since many of them come from a socially disadvantaged strata of the society. Nearly 40% of the financial assistance recipients have completed their studies, while 35% are continuing their studies at IUBAT. Nearly 25% discontinued study at IUBAT, some of whom continued study in other institutions. An informal survey indicated the following status of all those who completed the program. For more information browse at https://iubat.net/kbad/success-story/

Figure showing status of the students who completed courses with financial assistance under KBAD.

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 12 scholarly publications related to SDG 11 in 2024.

TEACHING:

• There are 6 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG11.
• Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

1. There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 11.
2. IUBAT is ranked as UI GreenMetrics University of the world.
3. The building material of the university is plaster free hollow brick.
4. Several ongoing projects carried out by the Department of Environmental Science on major environmental issues in and around the city areas are:

1. An International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Synthesis Theme on Global Environment Change and Sustainable Development: Needs of Least Developed Countries
2. Study on water flow and water quality of the river Turag
3. Safe the Water bodies of Greater Dhaka City
4. Benchmarking the Nutritional Status of Women in the Tongi-Ashulia Road Slums
5. Sustainable Landscape Management of Bangladesh
6. Special project on species conservation and use of under-utilized species
7. Wet Land conservation and increased productivity for biodiversity for food and nutrition security

Department of Environmental Science was organizing the 1^st Sustainability Olympiad-2024 at IUBAT on 27 February. Around 200 students from 60 different colleges were invited to participate in this event. Here 60 college Principals were also invited to join this program. We believe this 1^st Sustainability Olympiad will bring a very positive insight to create a sustainable society.

Aregular weekly cleaning event jointly organized by BD Clean and IUBAT effectively completed at Uttara Sector 10, Dhaka on 3 December 2024.The participants included first-semester students of Environmental Science and Sustainability course of IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology and the school students of Aga Khan Academy along with 40 members of BD Clean. The event began with a large gathering at the university’s Shaheed Minar premises, where various responsible figures from Uttara delivered inspiring speeches.

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 25 scholarly publications related to SDG 12 by the year 2024.

TEACHING:

• There are 10 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG 12.
• Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

• There are 5 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG 12.
• 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

Plastic waste recycling at IUBAT

SDG 13 – Climate Action

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 22 scholarly publications related to SDG 13 between 2024.
• The university has leading research on climate change and disaster management.

TEACHING:

• There are 20 undergraduate courses at the University related to SDG13.
• Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

• There are 10 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG13.

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 2023 on Climate Action

Seminar on World Sustainability Day 2024 which will be held on 4 November 2024

SDG 14 – Life Below Water

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 07 scholarly publications related to SDG 14 in 2024.

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 SDG14.
• The Department of Environmental Science at the University has ongoing research on coastal ecosystem and delta management.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

RESEARCH & INNOVATION:

• The University has 20 scholarly publications related to SDG 15 in 2024.
• 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 SDG15.
• Browse the course inventory at: https://iiss.iubat.edu/

OPERATIONS:

• There are 8 faculty at the University whose work is closely related to SDG15.
• 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 21^st 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 11 scholarly publications related to SDG 16 in 2024.

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 in national dailies on various affairs shown below:

Vice-Chancellors’ Roundtable on Private Universities of Bangladesh: Achievements, Challenges and Ways Forward

Seminar on Future of Tourism Industry- Trends, Technology, and Opportunities.The event brought together industry experts, academicians, and students to explore the dynamic landscape of tourism and hospitality.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

RESEARCH, INNOVATION

• The University has 01 scholarly publications related to SDG 17 in 2024.
• IUBAT obtained 1^st 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

Delegates from Yunnan University will visit the campus in regards of increasing partnership and facilities among two universities

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 2^nd 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 13^th 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

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 5^th 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. /research/centres/cgec/
3. https://iiss.iubat.edu/
4. https://www.rcegreaterdhaka.org
5. https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/rce-profile-detail/rce-greater-dhaka

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