SDG - 17
Policy Development and Policy-Focused Partnerships
Daffodil International University (DIU) demonstrates a high level of engagement in SDG policy development by moving beyond institutional MoUs to directly influence national government planning and co-designing programmatic strategies with key regional non-government organizations. This involvement ensures that academic expertise translates into tangible, scalable, and monitored interventions, fulfilling the commitment to strengthen the means of implementation (SDG 17).
1. Direct Input into National Government Policy and Strategy
DIU collaborates with apex national bodies to drive systemic change, ensuring its technical and academic knowledge informs high-level policy formulation.
A. National Energy and Climate Policy (SDG 7, 13, 17)
DIU is a crucial non-government partner in shaping the national clean energy strategy for the entire higher education sector, specifically addressing the challenges of energy costs and carbon reduction.
● Problem Identification and Strategy Development: DIU signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University Grants Commission (UGC)—the apex body overseeing higher education in Bangladesh—to implement an OPEX model solar power system across 32 public universities by 2026. This initiative addresses the national challenge of dependency on non-renewable sources.
● Role in Policy Implementation and Monitoring: DIU’s role is executive; it involves developing policies and implementation strategies through dedicated technical work. Specifically, DIU is mandated to conduct technical assessments and site surveys for the project. By providing this critical, expert data, DIU ensures the policy's technical viability and scalability, directly supporting the national transition toward green energy.
B. Evidence-Based Public Policy Formulation (SDG 4, 17)
DIU ensures academic research is incorporated at the highest level of national planning to promote evidence-based decision-making.
● Research Input into Planning Commission: Faculty from the Department of Public Health actively participated in the Inception Research Seminar 2025 at the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is the key government entity responsible for national development planning and resource allocation. This direct engagement ensures that DIU's research findings, particularly in health (SDG 3), are considered during the planning cycle, thereby influencing national resource allocation and strategic direction.
2. Policy-Focused Partnerships with Regional NGOs and Civil Society
DIU partners with leading non-government and intergovernmental organizations to monitor social challenges, advocate for rights, and create models for adaptive management in governance and climate action.
A. Governance, Accountability, and Media Freedom (SDG 16, 17)
DIU utilizes media and journalism education as a direct tool for governance and accountability policy, often in collaboration with civil society watchdogs.
● Monitoring and Policy Dialogue on Press Freedom: The Head of the JMC Department and students participated in a high-level roundtable co-hosted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and UNESCO Dhaka on the "Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom." This initiative directly contributes to the discourse on national policy concerning media independence, accountability, and journalist safety (SDG 16).
● Capacity Building for Accountability: In partnership with TIB, DIU organized a workshop on Data Journalism, focusing on strengthening students' skills in transparency, accuracy, and data-driven storytelling. This directly enables future journalists to monitor and report on interventions, a key policy function of adaptive management.
B. Climate Action, Youth Policy, and Adaptive Management (SDG 11, 13, 17)
DIU collaborates with NGOs to empower youth to research and influence local policy, thereby establishing models for grassroots adaptive management in the face of climate change.
● Action Research and Policy Modeling: DIU participated in a research-based project titled "Youth-led Action Research on Green and Digital Transformation" organized by ActionAid Bangladesh. This pilot program, which involved Team C-Zero, focuses on combining environmentalism, technology, and youth leadership, which is essential for developing community-level sustainable solutions and influencing local policy development on climate resilience.
● Climate Diplomacy: DIU hosted the "Pre-COP29 Group Discussion: Advancing Sustainable Living & Green Economy for Climate Action," in collaboration with the Global Law Thinkers Society. This forum brought together policymakers and youth advocates to discuss Bangladesh's national stance and role in global climate action, providing direct input into diplomacy strategies (SDG 13).
● Grassroots Advocacy: Collaborations with Oxfam in Bangladesh for the 'Film for Change' program leverage creative storytelling as a powerful tool for social change advocacy on climate justice and gender rights.
3. Implementing Integrated Solutions and Local Models
DIU establishes strategic partnerships with specialized government bodies and local institutions to integrate social services and create replicable models for holistic community well-being and justice.
● Integrated Solutions for Health and Justice: The strategic partnership with the Police Staff College Bangladesh (PSC) focuses on advancing health equity, integrating health and criminal justice initiatives, and conducting joint research. This unique collaboration addresses policy gaps across justice (SDG 16) and social inclusion (SDG 10) by designing joint solutions for a healthier and more equitable society.
● Creating a Local Model for Well-being: The partnership with the Daffodil Institute of Social Science (DISS) provides a concrete, localized model for policy implementation at the community level. The established MoU ensures the physical and mental well-being of DISS children through regular healthcare services and health education, showcasing how integrated health and education policies can be successfully implemented in vulnerable communities.
Summary of Policy Involvement: Strategy, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management
DIU's commitment to SDG policy is executed through clear roles across the policy cycle:
|
Policy Role |
Example (Partner) |
Mechanism of Influence |
SDG Impact |
|
Developing Policy & Strategy |
UGC Solar Power MoU (UGC) |
Providing technical assessments and site surveys to ensure the national OPEX model is structurally sound and scalable. |
Scaling clean energy nationally (SDG 7, 13, 17). |
|
Identifying Challenges & Research Input |
Inception Research Seminar (Planning Commission) |
Faculty present evidence-based findings directly to national planning bodies to inform resource allocation and development strategy. |
Ensuring national policy is evidence-based (SDG 4, 17). |
|
Monitoring & Adaptive Management |
Data Journalism & Press Freedom Roundtables (TIB/UNESCO) |
Training professionals and participating in high-level policy forums to monitor governance and hold power accountable. |
Promoting governance, accountability, and climate resilience through civil society (SDG 16, 17). |
DIU successfully utilizes its institutional capacity to directly contribute to Bangladesh’s national SDG roadmap through high-level government engagement and targeted, evidence-based regional NGO collaborations.