IUB inaugurates ‘Environment and Changing Climate 2025’ conference
Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), in collaboration with the Co-Creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation in Least Developed Countries (COLOCAL) project, has inaugurated the "Environment & Changing Climate 2025" conference on 20 November 2025, at the IUB auditorium.
In line with COLOCAL's mission, this year's conference centres on the theme "Global Strategies and Local Actions", emphasising inclusive, community-driven approaches to addressing urgent environmental challenges.
The opening ceremony began with welcome remarks from Dr K A Rabbani, Dean of the School of Environment and Life Sciences (SELS) and COLOCAL project coordinator in Bangladesh. He was followed by IUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor M Tamim, who highlighted the university's expanding role in climate change research and capacity building.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Dr Shahpar Selim, Programme Officer at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka and an alumna of IUB and ICCCAD, reflected on her early career and on the evolution of climate research in Bangladesh. Her speech introduced the conference's keynote, delivered by noted environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient, Dr A Atiq Rahman. He underscored the importance of gender equity in climate action and paid tribute to the late Professor Dr Saleemul Huq, whose pioneering work positioned ICCCAD and IUB as leading voices in global climate discourse.
The second keynote was delivered by Dr Faisal Kabir from icddr,b, who discussed his experience with CARE Bangladesh's SHOUHARDO III programme and highlighted the successful application of the Local Service Providers (LSP) model in grassroots adaptation efforts. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from IUB Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Daniel W Lund.
After lunch, participants gathered for climate-themed artistic performances. The Khulna-based theatre group, Rupantar, presented a potgaan centred on gender equity, while the Muiz Mahfuz Band performed climate-themed songs alongside pieces from their wider repertoire.
The first day ended with an alumni roundtable featuring graduates of IUB's Department of Environmental Science and Management (DESM). The discussion focused on career pathways in climate change and the development sector, particularly in the context of reduced global funding and shifting research priorities.
The inauguration set the tone for the second day, on 21 November 2025, when participants will present new research and engage in side events aimed at promoting interdisciplinary learning and elevating community perspectives.
