SDG - 17
Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs: Volunteering, Research, and Education
Daffodil International University (DIU) maintains robust, action-oriented collaborations with national and international NGOs to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on three key mechanisms: student-led advocacy and volunteering, joint research projects, and the development of educational and advocacy resources.
1. Advancing SDG Policy and Advocacy through Joint Programmes
DIU partners with leading NGOs and civil society organizations to co-develop educational content and organize advocacy events that address complex societal issues aligned with the SDGs.
- Climate Justice and Accountability (SDG 13, 16):
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- Oxfam in Bangladesh: DIU's Department of JMC partnered with Oxfam to organize "Film for Change: A National Showcase," a program that mentored promising filmmakers to produce films focused on critical themes like climate justice and gender rights. This partnership uses creative education (film) as a tool for public advocacy, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
- Oxfam in Bangladesh: DIU's Department of JMC partnered with Oxfam to organize "Film for Change: A National Showcase," a program that mentored promising filmmakers to produce films focused on critical themes like climate justice and gender rights. This partnership uses creative education (film) as a tool for public advocacy, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
- Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) & UNESCO: DIU faculty and students participated in a high-profile roundtable co-hosted by TIB and UNESCO: "Brave New Bangladesh: Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom." This dialogue contributed directly to discussions on governance, accountability, and the free flow of information (SDG 16). Furthermore, DIU and TIB collaborated on a Data Journalism workshop, enhancing student skills in transparency, accuracy, and data-driven storytelling—a core skill set for holding institutions accountable.
- Green and Digital Transformation (SDG 13, 17):
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- ActionAid Bangladesh: DIU's Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management participated in the "Youth-led Action Research on Green and Digital Transformation" pilot program organized by ActionAid. This initiative directly engages students in research activities focused on climate solutions, promoting youth leadership in the pursuit of SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- ActionAid Bangladesh: DIU's Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management participated in the "Youth-led Action Research on Green and Digital Transformation" pilot program organized by ActionAid. This initiative directly engages students in research activities focused on climate solutions, promoting youth leadership in the pursuit of SDG 13 (Climate Action).
2. Developing Educational and Capacity Building Resources
DIU actively extends its academic expertise to enhance the capacity of NGO staff and educators through dedicated training programs.
- Educator Training for Sustainable Living (SDG 4, 17):
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- Good Neighbors Bangladesh: DIU’s Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) provided a transformative training session for the dedicated teachers of Good Neighbors Bangladesh. The session focused on classroom management and methods to create a more joyful, engaging learning environment for students, promoting quality education best practices outside the DIU community.
- Good Neighbors Bangladesh: DIU’s Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) provided a transformative training session for the dedicated teachers of Good Neighbors Bangladesh. The session focused on classroom management and methods to create a more joyful, engaging learning environment for students, promoting quality education best practices outside the DIU community.
- Professional Skill Enhancement (SDG 4, 8):
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- Data Crafters & HRDI: HRDI supported the Microsoft Fabric Training conducted by Data Crafters, which was attended by Microsoft’s Managing Director. This collaboration ensures that skills training provided by NGOs/industry partners is aligned with global technology standards, directly supporting students' employability (SDG 8) and continuous learning (SDG 4).
- Data Crafters & HRDI: HRDI supported the Microsoft Fabric Training conducted by Data Crafters, which was attended by Microsoft’s Managing Director. This collaboration ensures that skills training provided by NGOs/industry partners is aligned with global technology standards, directly supporting students' employability (SDG 8) and continuous learning (SDG 4).
3. Student-Led Volunteering and Research Initiatives
The university institutionalizes collaboration with NGOs and community organizations to facilitate student-led social change and impact-focused volunteering.
- Public Health Outreach and Screening (SDG 3, 11):
- National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh: The Department of Public Health collaborated with the National Liver Foundation to organize a Hepatitis Awareness Rally, free screening program, and seminar. This partnership directly contributed to community well-being (SDG 3) and led to the launch of a Public Health Study Site in Bhabanipur, Savar, aimed at creating a hepatitis-free, smoke-free, and plastic-free community (SDG 11).
- National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh: The Department of Public Health collaborated with the National Liver Foundation to organize a Hepatitis Awareness Rally, free screening program, and seminar. This partnership directly contributed to community well-being (SDG 3) and led to the launch of a Public Health Study Site in Bhabanipur, Savar, aimed at creating a hepatitis-free, smoke-free, and plastic-free community (SDG 11).
- Global Youth Diplomacy and Empowerment (SDG 4, 17):
- Model United Nations Association (DIUMUNA): DIUMUNA hosts the DIU Shadow UN General Assembly, focusing on themes like “Fostering Universal Respect for Human Rights to End Conflict Through Global Unity.” While DIUMUNA is internal, its structure models a global NGO and its focus on youth diplomacy directly supports the mechanisms of SDG 17 and SDG 16.
- Social Business Students' Forum (SBSF): The SBSF acts as a massive youth-led advocacy and volunteering group, consistently engaging with the Yunus Centre (an international NGO model) to promote the '3 Zero Vision.' Their participation in the 9th Social Business Youth Summit (21 countries) involved student volunteering and presenting social business solutions to address global challenges (SDG 1, 8, 13).
DIU ensures that its NGO collaborations are deeply integrated into its academic and research functions, providing students with structured volunteering and research opportunities that directly contribute to actionable SDG outcomes.