An international climate course in Dhaka concluded with global participation, equipping emerging leaders with interdisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, and collaborative networks to advance climate action and sustainable development.
Participants from across the world gathered in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to mark the successful conclusion of an international course on environmental science and climate action on Friday, renewing commitments to strengthen climate knowledge, cooperation and capacity-building throughout the Global South.
The International Course on “Environmental Science and Climate Action: A Global-South Perspective” concluded with a closing ceremony at Stamford University Bangladesh. The programme was jointly organized by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) at BRAC University, Mission Green Bangladesh and the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), with support from the Binks Institute for Sustainability at the University of Dundee, Asia Hub at Michigan State University (MSU), Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) and Stamford University Bangladesh.
The course brought together participants, academics, researchers and climate professionals from diverse backgrounds, providing an interdisciplinary platform for learning and collaboration on environmental science and climate action from a Global South perspective.
Presenting an overview of the programme, Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, Director of C3ER at BRAC University, highlighted its achievements and outcomes. According to participant feedback, all attendees reported enhanced knowledge and understanding of environmental science and climate change, with 53 percent strongly agreeing and 47 percent agreeing that the course strengthened their understanding of the subject.
He said participants also recognized the programme’s practical value, with 55 percent strongly agreeing and 37 percent agreeing that the knowledge gained could be applied to real-world environmental and climate-related challenges.
Reflecting on the role of emerging leaders in addressing climate and environmental challenges, Dr. Oksana Tarasova, Senior Scientific Officer of the Infrastructure Department at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized the importance of equipping young professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborative skills to advance sustainable and climate-resilient development.
Representatives of the international partner institutions also underscored the significance of the initiative.
Dr. Nandan Mukherjee, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Binks Institute for Sustainability at the University of Dundee, said the course played an important role in strengthening Global South leadership in climate and environmental action.
Dr. Jiaguo Qi, Director of Asia Hub and Professor of Geography at Michigan State University, emphasized the relevance of the programme in addressing pressing environmental and climate challenges across Asia and encouraged continued support for the initiative.
Mr. Di Wang, Director of Career Initiatives and Regional Liaison for Asia Hub at Michigan State University, highlighted the unique value of the course in bringing together global academic excellence and local contexts.
Dr. Liu Yutao, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office at Nanjing Agricultural University, said the programme strengthened global collaboration and should inspire participants to apply their learning to advance climate action.
Representing the national partner institution, Professor Dr. M. Nazrul Islam highlighted the uniqueness of the programme, while Professor Dr. Md. Hafizur Rahman underscored its value in providing learning experiences beyond conventional classroom education.
Among the distinguished special guests, Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Chittagong, stressed the need to expand climate education and capacity-building opportunities across sectors.
Mr. A. K. M. Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief (United Nations) at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Government of Bangladesh, said the course helped participants better understand global climate finance mechanisms and strengthened their ability to access and utilize climate finance for effective climate action.
Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury, Pro Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, highlighted the university’s commitment to addressing environmental and climate challenges through education, research, capacity-building and collaborative climate action initiatives.
Delivering the chief guest address, Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus and Adviser to C3ER at BRAC University, encouraged participants to continue strengthening their foundational understanding of climate change through this extended course and remain updated on emerging developments in the field.
The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Sharif N. As-Sabre, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, who encouraged participants to view themselves as “climate soldiers” and commended the dedication of young people working on the frontlines of climate action.
The event began with a welcome address by Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, who highlighted the importance of the international course in advancing climate knowledge and action.
The session was moderated by Ms. Sharmin Nahar Nipa, Assistant Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) at BRAC University.
During the closing ceremony, certificates were awarded to participants who successfully completed the course, while outstanding performance and active engagement were also recognized.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Ahsan Rony, Executive Director of Mission Green Bangladesh, who expressed gratitude to the organizers, partners, resource persons, in-campus host institutions, participants and supporters for contributing to the success of the course.
Organizers said the successful completion of the International Course on Environmental Science and Climate Action: A Global-South Perspective reflected a shared commitment to strengthening knowledge, fostering collaboration and building capacity to address climate and environmental challenges across the Global South.
