IUB’s RIoT Research Center publishes datasets in Nature Scientific Data

The RIoT Research Center at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has published two significant environmental datasets, providing valuable resources for global researchers. These datasets offer critical insights into biodiversity monitoring and water quality trends, aiding studies on climate change, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable resource management.

The datasets were published in Nature Scientific Data, a Q1-ranked journal known for its rigorous peer review and high-impact research. The journal has a five-year impact factor of 8.9 and a CiteScore of 12.2, reflecting its influence and credibility in the scientific community.

The AqUavplant dataset, published on 20 December 2024, contains 197 high-resolution drone images of 31 aquatic plant species from nine locations in Bangladesh. Designed for machine learning applications, the dataset includes segmentation masks to aid in species identification and biodiversity mapping. It is a valuable resource for environmental researchers, conservation agencies, and organisations focused on aquatic ecosystem management and national biodiversity programmes.

The Global Surface Water Quality Dataset, published on 6 March 2025, compiles 2.82 million water quality measurements collected between 1940 and 2023 from the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, and China. This dataset provides a resource for studying long-term water quality trends and supporting research on climate change and water security. It can aid policymakers, environmental scientists, and national water resource management authorities in developing sustainable water management strategies.

The interdisciplinary research teams behind these datasets include faculty members—Professor Dr M M Mahbubul Sayeed, Dr Razib Hayat Khan, Dr Md Shakhawat Hossain, Dr Mohammad Faisal Uddin, and Kaniz Fatema—along with research assistants Md Abrar Istiak, Jahid Hasan Rony, Md Rajaul Karim, and Ashifur Rahman from the RIoT Research Center. The teams also include Professor Dr M Ashafuzzaman from the Department of Crop Botany at Bangladesh Agricultural University and Dr K Ayaz Rabbani, associate professor of environmental science and management at IUB.

Dr Mohammad Faisal Uddin, director of the RIoT Research Center, said, "These datasets exemplify the power of interdisciplinary research in addressing global environmental challenges. By combining expertise in computer science, environmental science, and artificial intelligence, we have developed resources that can drive innovation in biodiversity conservation and water quality management. These publications highlight IUB's commitment to collaborative, data-driven research with real-world impact."

Founded in 2022, the RIoT Research Center—short for the Center for Industrial Automation, Robotics, and Internet of Things—specialises in cybersecurity, computer vision, robotics, IoT, and microprocessor design. It is collaborating with IUB's FabLab to expand research facilities in industrial automation, cybersecurity, and environmental monitoring. The center is now working to strengthen partnerships with national and international institutions to enhance its research capabilities and drive innovation in automation and environmental science.