ULAB launches country’s first ESS Department

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh has announced the launch of the country's first Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS) Department, introducing a pioneering undergraduate programme designed to equip young people with the skills to address Bangladesh's escalating climate challenges.

The inaugural cohort will begin classes in spring 2026, with applications now open.

The ESS Department will be housed at ULAB, one of the country's leading private universities known for its liberal arts approach and commitment to sustainability. ULAB is ranked eighth in Bangladesh in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 for its contributions to quality education, gender equality, and sustainable cities, and is the only Bangladeshi institution in the WURI Top 60 innovative universities.

The Department will offer a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Sustainability that integrates ecology, climate science, policy, and liberal arts. Students will receive hands-on training in research methods, GIS mapping, law, ethics, and communication, and develop competencies in scientific and technical problem-solving, policy advocacy, and leadership. Facilities include ULAB's Centre for Sustainable Development, a student-led Sustainability Club, an Environment Lab for water, soil, and air testing, and a GIS lab for disaster and resource mapping. All faculty members hold degrees from reputed international universities; ninety per cent have industry experience and forty per cent hold PhDs.

Classes will take place on ULAB's green campus in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, which features modern classrooms, a dedicated IoT lab, and extensive library and study spaces.

Enrolment opens on 4 December 2025 for the first cohort starting in spring 2026. Scholarships include a twenty per cent tuition waiver for the first batch and full scholarships for two outstanding candidates.

ULAB noted that Bangladesh's rising sea levels, cyclones, and floods demand a new generation of scientific and policy leaders. With increasing youth climate activism, the new ESS Department aims to channel that energy through rigorous training and turn activism into evidence-based solutions.

The four-year programme will combine classes with fieldwork, research, internships, and global collaboration. Students will study environmental law, the Paris Climate Accord, and the SDGs, and work with government agencies and NGOs through the Centre for Sustainable Development. Partnerships with institutions in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada will support exchanges and joint research.

"Bangladesh's climate challenges are profound, but so is the potential of our youth," said Jude William Genilo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ULAB. "Environmental Studies and Sustainability is for those who want to fight climate change, protect nature, and build a greener future for all."

"We are dedicated to inspiring leadership, critical thinking, and a lifelong commitment to advancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability in Bangladesh and beyond," said Professor Mahmood Hossain, PhD, Head of ULAB's Environmental Studies and Sustainability. "This programme builds on our long track record in sustainability research and will equip graduates to design and implement solutions for communities and ecosystems."