Daffodil International University

SDG-17

Identifying Problems and Challenges of SDGs and Developing Policy Guidelines through Partnerships

i) Identifying Problems and Challenges of SDGs in Partnership with SDG HelpDesk
Daffodil International University (DIU) organizes a lot of events and dialogues round the year for mobilizing problems and challenges of different SDGS in partnership with the government, NGOs and international agencies/institutions. The main intention is to come up with a set of defined solutions to the problems and finally help development of policy guidelines in both national and international contexts. It is a pleasure to mention that DIU is an active member of SDG Helpdesk of UNESCAP.
Link: http://sdghelpdesk.unescap.org/technical-assistance/best-practices/daffodil-international-university-sdgs-higher-education

ii) Policy Dialogue with GEN Research and Startup Nations (Focusing SDG 5,9 and 10)
Daffodil International University in association with Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Research and Startup Nations organized a Policy Dialogue where public and private entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders of Bangladesh and GEN were present to share their views. This was a policy dialogue on certain SDGs: SDG 5, SDG 9 and SDG 10 which signifies the contributions of female trade and economy and initiatives to be taken to ensure gender equality and reduced inequality.

iii) Hosted Policy Dialogue with the largest Business Chamber of Bangladesh (DCCI) on Industry Academia Linkage
Daffodil International University (DIU) and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) jointly organized a webinar on Industry Academia Linkage: The New Frontier for accelerating development to achieve the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). The stakeholders from the Government sector, business sector, higher education sector, civil society, researchers, practitioners etc. attended the webinar discussed the possible ways of formulating a suitable policy for accommodating industry-academia linkage in higher education sector. The resource person, discussants, chief guest and others laid emphasis on working together between universities and private sectors to convert the country's youth population into skilled human capital and a suitable policy will facilitate the way. Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University presented the keynote paper in the webinar. Honorable Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and UGC Chairman Prof. Dr. Kazi Shahidullah graced the webinar as the Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively.

iv) DIU Research Director contributed in the webinar on “International Ranking for Young HEIs: Challenges and Opportunities
Prof. Dr. Md Kabirul Islam, Director, Division of Research, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh joined a webinar on “International Ranking for Young HEIs: Challenges and Opportunities” as one of the Resource Speakers hosted by Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) in collaboration with Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) that was held on May 25, 2021. In his presentation, he focused on the topic entitled ‘Institutionalizing Research Culture and University World Rankings’.
Assoc. Prof. Mustafa AYDIN, EURAS President & Elmar GASIMOV, Rector, Baku Higher Oil School was present in the webinar among other distinguished guests and speakers. The purpose of this webinar was to listen from experts about the opportunities and challenges for young universities to be placed in international rankings while sharing their best practices in this regard.

v) DIU hosted Social Business Creation (SBC) Competition along with by HEC Montreal, Canada which helped identify the challenges and problems of sustainable social business
DIU in association with HEC Montreal, Canada hosted the Social Business Creation (SBC) Competition which is designed for students to grow as a social entrepreneur and change maker to create a positive impact in the society. The competition helped identify the challenges and problems of sustainable social business and its future prospects which can be used for further SDG policy development by the Government or other NGOs.
The 5th edition of Social Business Creation Competition started from the month of March and 1st round of Regional Final held on 12 October in the Virtual platform. Top 12 teams presented their Social Business plan after a long rigorous eight months of competition. With very precise justification, 3 Champion Teams were selected to take part in the Regional Final.

vi) The Bangladesh Government Decided to Modify Education Policy by integrating blended education as recommended and practiced by DIU
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge we have faced since the second World War. The sector that is still facing lockdown in Bangladesh is education. Schools, colleges and universities or even their residential halls are still closed as the second wave of COVID-19 begins to hit worldwide. Alternatives are being tried. Online activities are going on. But one institution which had a quick and smooth transition to distance learning is Daffodil International University (DIU). The greatest weapon that DIU is using currently is its own Learning Management System (LMS) and Blended Learning Center (BLC). DIU started using its online platform BLC from the first day it faced lockdown as the university had the earlier experience of conducting classes through online platform. "100% academic activities of the university are going on in full swing smoothly using the BLC platform which DIU started in 2013
Link: https://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/news/how-daffodil-international-university-made-online-teaching-and-learning-reality-bangladesh-1973441
Decision of the Bangladesh Government to update Education policy
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has finalized the draft of a blended learning policy so that Bangladesh is not left behind in higher education. The final draft of the policy titled “Blended Learning for Bangladesh” has been sent to the Ministry of Education for the approval of the government, a press release said.
Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/25/ugc-finalizes-draft-policy-of-blended-learning

vii) DIU Chairman’s Input into SDG Policy at Sustainable Meeting of Millennium@Edu
DIU Chairman Dr. Md. Sabur Khan delivered keynote presentation on ‘Shifting from the Traditional to Hybrid Education’ on 25 September 2020 at Sustainable Education Meeting organized by Millennium@Edu. Dr. Khan delivered some key points which will be hlpful for identifying challenges & prospects in implementation SDGs and policy formulation on SDGs. Global leaders in the Tech and Education sectors were present to discuss and unanimously agree to the relevant policy formulation on SDGs where Dr. Khan represented Bangladesh.

viii) Agreement of DIU with Millennium @EDU SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION
The agreement signed between DIU and Millennium @EDU facilitated the policy formulation in higher education institutions and NGOs regarding the tracking and implementing the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.
DIU Chairman Dr. Md. Sabur Khan delivered keynote presentation on ‘Shifting from the Traditional to Hybrid Education’ on 25 September 2020 at Sustainable Education Meeting organized by Millennium@Edu. Dr. Khan delivered some key points which will be hlpful for identifying challenges & prospects in implementation SDGs and policy formulation on SDGs. Global leaders in the Tech and Education sectors were present to discuss and unanimously agree to the relevant policy formulation on SDGs where Dr. Khan represented Bangladesh.
Link: https://millenniumedu.org/daffodil-international-university/

ix) Webinar on "Mobile Communication in Bangladesh Challenges of the Future": Industry Partnership
The agreement signed between DIU and Millennium @EDU facilitated the policy formulation in higher education institutions and NGOs regarding the tracking and implementing the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.
The Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Daffodil International University in association with Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) organized a cross-sectoral webinar on "Mobile Communication in Bangladesh Challenges of the Future" on 14 March 2021. The webinar was organized to identify the challenges of mobile communication sector in Bangladesh which is relevant to the SDG 9 (Industry & Innovation).