Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. DIU as a promotional partner of AASHE Global Conference of Sustainability in Higher Education


DIU was a promotional partner of AASHE Global Conference of Sustainability in Higher Education. The Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education brought together sustainability leaders from around the world in a virtual format to share effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. Daffodil International University attended the conference as it has been striving to make a footprint in this arena through its contributions towards sustainable development initiatives. In order to promote the achievement of certain SDGs, DIU has established a separate academic department namely the Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management (ESDM) through research and academic excellence. DIU develops its graduates with sustainability skills and environmental awareness. The university adopts sustainable practices in all its development activities and initiatives.

The ICT State Minister, Government of Bangladesh Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak praised the innovation and expressed to extend his cooperation to this AI modality for COVID-19 infection.


Women’s Participation Award
YouthMappers Club at Daffodil International University achieved the ‘Women’s Participation Award-2020’ for engaging through leadership and membership of a majority (more than 50%) of female student mappers into their YouthMappers Chapter, enriching the network and program activities.

DIU Students participated a Business Talk on: “Human Centric Business Innovation & Process Design”


Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) & Bangladesh Brand Forum (NGO) jointly organized a Business Talk titled, “Human Centric Business Innovation and Process Design”on 11th October, 2019. With a view to awaken graduating students to cope up with the rapid changing scenario in the arena of business in respond to the technological revolution. Students group of Daffodil International University (consisting 34) got the privilege to attend this session at Mr. Anis-Ud-Dowla conference Hall, Police Plaza. Dr. Newton Howard, Professor of Neuro computation, Neurosurgery and Mathematics, University of Oxford, Professor of Brain Sciences, Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Chairman of the Brain Sciences Foundation, Founder of the Mind Machine Project at MIT and Dr. Amer Farid, Director Market Business, UNICEF Norway delivered their speeches at the Business Talk. Country’s renowned business persons exchanged their views on the topic and shared their valued thoughts with the future leaders.

Participation and keynote presentation at BFCCI Annual Summit in Finland
Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, Daffodil International University (DIU) presented a keynote at Bangladesh-Finland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BFCCI) Annual Summit held on 22nd August 2019 at Opinmäki, Espoo in Finland.


The topic of Dr. Khan’s presentation was: “Academic collaboration between Bangladesh and Finland: How both countries can be mutually benefited”, where relationship between Bangladesh and Finland, as well as, business prospects, contribution of present government of Bangladesh, bilateral ties, policy and development in higher education and science, scope for Bangladeshi students in Finnish universities, possible academic cooperation, emergence of private universities, research, globalization, technology, DIU Model in Education and entrepreneurship development, scopes for DIU and Finnish universities, role of NRBs in Finland were covered.

Participation of DIU Faculty in the Workshop on Linking SDGs 5 and 16: Next Steps in Research and Practice


Ms. Sadia Zafrin Lia, Senior Lecturer of English of DIU attended a national workshop on Linking SDGs 5 and 16: Next Steps in Research and Practice, arranged by Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trusts (BLAST) on 21 September, 2019. At that event, she worked with a group of stakeholders working on gender equality and access justice issues where they had a constructive exchange of ideas. There were panelists from UN Women, Justice of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Expert professors from UK universities and NGO personnel. She presented her reflections on gender equality and offered alternative indicators focusing on the pressing need for gender equality in Bangladesh. The panelists lauded the ideas with great concern for their future operation regarding the gender equality issue.
This workshop brought together researchers in law, social sciences and economics, lawyers, legal service providers and women’s rights advocates to discuss, among other things, the existing indicators for monitoring implementation of these two SDGs, alongside issues regarding availability and sources of relevant data, innovations and availability of investment to ensure access to justice. It was intended to scope out a research agenda on the interaction between SDGs 5 and 16 with a particular, although not an exclusive, focus on Bangladesh.

Workshop outcomes
• Analysis of the existing descriptors and indicators on SDGs 5 and 16; their possible linkages, inter-dependencies, and potential contradictions; and their inadequacies through a panel discussion.
• Analysis of the extent to which progress in the areas of gender equality and access to justice, as indicated in the Bangladesh government‘s official SDG reports reflect ground realities
• Proposal of an set of alternative indicators for the listed targets of SDGs 5 and 16, that truly reflects how progress in relation to gender equality and access to justice should be measured in Bangladesh, through a participatory approach.

Participation in the 3rd Edition of International Youth Forum Focusing SDGs


Dr. Kudrat E Khuda Babu, an Associate Professor of Law Department at Daffodil International University participated in the 3rd Edition of International Youth Forum, took place at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai, India as an Ambassador for Peace. The program was organized by the International Youth Forum and supported by Indian Government. Around 150 selected delegates participated in the said program from 30 countries of the world where 14 selected delegates participated from different public and private universities, medical colleges and other institutions of Bangladesh.


Dr. Babu presented his paper on peace, education, poverty and health which are under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Finally, Dr. Babu received Medal and Certificate as an Ambassador for Peace from Shri Ashwini Choubey, Honorable Minister of state for the Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Shri Prahlad Singh Patel for his outstanding research publications, deliberations and contributions towards ensuring the SDGs.

Engaging youth for initiating world peace through peace dialogue

 
Engaging youth in peace initiative an important area for United Nations and Bangladesh, keeping that in priority a three-day long international model UN conference was organized by Daffodil International University (DIU) Model UN Association in association with United Nations Bangladesh and knowledge support by UNIC Dhaka during 17 to 19 January 2019 at the University campus. More than 250 delegates from different educational institutions and a number of guests from different organizations took part in the MUN conference. The conference was opened by former Bangladesh Ambassador to United States and Vice-President of Bangladesh Enterprises Institute H.E. Ambassador Humanyun Kabir. Among others, Chairman of DIU Md. Sabur Khan, UNRCO Sr. Communication Advisor Ari Gaitanis, UNIC NIO Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman and Pro-Vice Chancellor of DIU Prof. Dr. SM Mahbubul Hoque Mojumder spoke in the inaugural session.

Asian University Presidents Forum (AUPF)-2019 Regional Partnership


Daffodil International University is playing an instrumental role in shaping higher education system of Bangladesh. Visionary leadership and collaboration model could be attributed to this success. DIU organized a grand event bringing Presidents of different universities from multiple countries in one platform for facilitating effective international partnership and collaboration in ensuring sustainable development goals of the UN. The event was hosted and organized by DIU with a view to collaborate and create partnership among the universities of the Asia Pacific region to tackle the challenges, obstacles towards ensuring a sustainable educational environment in each institution as well as in the region. More than 150 Presidents, Rectors and Vice Chancellors from 40 universities from Asian 15 countries.

Global Peace Summit Malaysia-2020
Dr. Kudrat-E-Khuda Babu, Associate Professor, Department of Law, Daffodil International University attended the ‘Global Peace Summit Malaysia-2020’ as a selected International Delegate and his selection was made from the pool of 7000+ applications across the globe.


The Summit was organized by the Global Peace Chain and held at the Hotel Transit, Sultan Idris Education University and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia from 26-28 February 2019 where more than 100 Delegates participated from 70 countries.
In the summit, he shared his views, knowledge, ideas and experiences related to build resilience, cultivating a culture of tolerance, inclusivity, harmony, oneness, love and social peace. Finally, he received Certificate and also received Medal as a Global Peace Ambassador.

Participation in "Youth Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction"

 
A team from the department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management of Daffodil International University has participated an event named "Youth Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction" which is organized by BRAC Humanitarian Program (Brac NGO), held on 30th November, 2019 at CIRDAP. Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal, Dean, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Professor, Faculty of Disaster Science and Management, University of Dhaka graced the event as Chief Guest. The event was chaired by Sajedul Hasan, Director, Humanitarian Program, BRAC and BRAC International. The program helped the youths, especially, the university students in tackling the challenges of disaster risk as a result of climate change and global warming. This type of event will enhance the knowledge as well as willingness of the youths to involve them in disaster risk management activities which will facilitate achieving the SDG-13 addressing climate change.

Keynote Speech on 'Cleaner and Greener Environment for a Safer World' at AUAP Annual Conference


In the Annual Conference of Association of the Universities of Asia & Pacific (AUAP), Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, BoT, Daffodil International University as well as the Vice President (2nd) of AUAP has given a Keynote entitled 'Cleaner and Greener Environment for a Safer World' at AUAP Annual Conference on November 11, 2019 at Ekathotsarot 301 Auditorium in Naresuan University (NU), Thailand. AUAP Annual Conference 2019 is hosted by Naresuan University which is one of the top ten Public University in Thailand. University's Top executives & academicians from 15 different countries across Asia, Europe, Australia & Africa have joined this annual conference.

Daffodil Nordic Joint Collaboration towards Achieving SDGs


Daffodil Nordic Ltd (http://daffodil-nordic.com/) is a spin-off established by a group of Finnish-Bangladeshi nationals. The cardinal objective for Daffodil Nordic Ltd is to bring in positive social developmental impacts through engaging ventures and initiatives, in close cooperation with companies, government and non-government organizations of Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway & Iceland) in Bangladesh for tackling the challenges towards achieving SDGs. The center is primarily focused on developing skilled human resources and bringing social transformative changes into the following areas:
• Health Management (SDG-3)
• Quality Education & Training (SDG-4)
• Environmental Management (SDG 7, 8, 11, 12 & 13)

4th National Girls’ Programming Contest 2019 (SDG 5: Gender Equality)


Daffodil International University in collaboration with Department of Computer Science and Engineering, DIU Girls’ Computer Programming Club (DIU GCPC), Bangladesh Computer Council and ICT Division of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology organized the “4th National Girls’ Programming Contest 2019” was held at on 23rd November 2019.

Participation and Keynote Presentation at Sustainable Education Meeting 2019 (SEM2019)


Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Founder and Chairman of Daffodil International University (DIU) presented his keynote speech at Sustainable Education Meeting 2019 (SEM2019) which took place during the United Nations General Assembly Opening Week in New York City during September 25-27, 2019 with the General Theme of the Meeting “Investing in Education Pays Well! - Financing@EDU 2.0 - Education Finance in a Data-Driven Society and the EduTech Value Proposal” and Dr. Md. Sabur Khan has made his presentation on “The Development of Education in Bangladesh and the Role of International Financial Entities: The Asian Context”. Partnered by UNESCO Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development on “Reinforcing partnerships SDGs 4 & 17- Sustainable Education and Technology” the event was organized by Millennium@EDU Sustainable Education. More than two hundred representatives from business firms, academic institutions participated in the event and discussed about possibilities on the bi-lateral educational potential and academic collaborations between countries.
Focusing the presentation on “The Development of Education in Bangladesh and the Role of International Financial Entities: The Asian Context”, Dr. Khan has addressed different areas like sustainable development of higher education focusing SDG-4, in regards to global phenomena and Bangladesh and shared the case of Daffodil International University, where sustainable growth and success stories were depicted. The presentation tells various topics, especially, management of higher education, different acts and public policies, role of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, diverse initiatives of private universities, higher education projects, quality education (IQAC) domain, continued growth and achievements of Daffodil International University and its internationalization.

International Social Business Summer Program (ISBSP) 2019 in collaboration with Yunus Centre (A Centre of Nobel Laureate Dr. Yunus)
With the motto ‘New Minds for New World’ DIU is hosting International Social Business Summer Program (ISBSP) 2019 for the third time in collaboration with Yunus Centre. This year, around 50 participants from 11 different countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Somalia, South Korea and Bangladesh are experiencing the knowledge of the social business from 12 to 22 July at DIU Permanent Campus.


On the 2nd day, Ms. Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of Yunus Centre conducted the introductory session to Social Business & its Global Platform for the participants of ISBSP 2019. She focused on the local and global social business activities, factors of successful collaboration with different institutions regarding Social Business development as well as with Yunus Centre, etc. Enthusiastic participants of ISBSP 2019 made the session very interactive with many questions & discussions to learn how does it look like and how does it work. After the session, Professor Dr. Md. Fokhray Hossain, Director, International Affairs, DIU handed over a token of appreciation to her. The ISBSP is also supported by YSBC & SBSF of DIU along with YouThink Centre China.