DIU holds roundtable to design PGD in sustainable business and ESG

Daffodil International University (DIU) hosted a strategic roundtable discussion on learning needs mapping for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business and ESG Management on 9 December 2025 at its Daffodil Smart City campus.

The event was organised by the Sustainability Wing of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at DIU under Swisscontact's Progress project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland. The session brought together industry leaders, sustainability specialists, academics, policymakers, and prospective learners to discuss the evolving demands of the ready-made garments sector, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of national export earnings and employs over four million workers.

Speakers highlighted the sector's growing need for professionals with strong competencies in ESG, decarbonisation, sustainability reporting, and compliance. Participants noted that global buyers and regulatory frameworks increasingly require transparent and environmentally responsible business practices, compelling factories to adopt more advanced ESG standards.

The roundtable emphasised the need for a curriculum that blends foundational ESG knowledge with hands-on, industry-oriented learning. Participants stressed technical skill areas such as energy auditing, sustainability reporting, governance compliance, data analytics, and impact measurement. They stated that incorporating practical modules using real factory data and case examples would enable professionals to apply ESG practices effectively from the outset.

Stakeholders also underscored the need for flexible learning pathways to support mid-career professionals, particularly women, who remain under-represented in ESG leadership roles. They pointed to expanding career opportunities in sustainability, as factories increasingly seek specialists capable of managing emissions tracking, compliance audits, social performance, and climate-related disclosures.

DIU Registrar, Mohammed Nadir Bin Ali, expressed appreciation to Swisscontact, sector experts, development partners, academics, and industry representatives for their engagement and contributions, which will help to develop an industry-friendly curriculum for the PGD in Sustainable Business and ESG Management.

Project Director, Khalid Md Bahauddin, stated: 'The insights shared today will directly shape the PGD in Sustainable Business and ESG Management and help position Bangladesh as a regional leader in ESG capacity development.' Representatives from Swisscontact Bangladesh and the Sustainability Wing of DIU were also present.