Dhaka University (DU) has established a prestigious UNESCO Chair titled ‘Inclusion in Higher Education Systems,’ connecting Bangladesh’s academic landscape to a global network spanning over 125 countries. This significant initiative brings DU into an international alliance of more than 1,000 UNESCO Chairs under the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, promoting knowledge exchange and collaborative research worldwide.
The landmark agreement was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The Chair will be led by Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah from DU’s Institute of Education and Research (IER), while Professor Dr Md Ahsan Habib will act as the Co-Chairholder.
The Chair’s core objectives include promoting research, education, training, community engagement, and policy dialogue focused on inclusive policies, equity, and sustainable development in higher education. Through this initiative, DU’s faculty members, researchers, and students will have the chance to participate in international joint research and academic programmes with leading universities and institutions.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah, team leader of the programme and a professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research (IER), said, “This is an inclusive education initiative being implemented in collaboration with UNESCO. Through this programme, we are conducting research and exploring opportunities for our students to engage with various international facilities and academic networks. This memorandum of understanding connects us with UNESCO’s global platform working in this sector, and we are proud to represent Bangladesh as one of its partners.”
The Chair’s inaugural term will continue until 30 June 2029, after which a thorough evaluation will be conducted for possible renewal.
