The two-day first International Conference on Science and Humanities for Sustainable Development (ICSHSSD-2025) has begun at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur. The conference, organized by the Faculty of Science, was inaugurated virtually on Thursday morning (October 23) by Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, at the Shaheed Shakil Parvez Auditorium on the university campus.
The event was chaired by the Chief Patron of the conference and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Mohammad Jaynal Abedin. The Patron of the conference and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Arefin Kawsar, attended as a special guest and delivered a speech.
Speaking as the Guests of Honour and delivering keynote speeches were Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University, and Professor Dr. A. M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Other speakers included the Conference Chair and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Dr. Md. Kamal-Al-Hasan; the Conference Technical Chair and Head of the Department of Mathematics, Professor Dr. Md. Mahmud Alam; Organizing Co-Chairs and Heads of the Departments of Physics, Professor Dr. Abu Talib Mohammad Kawsar Jamal; Chemistry, Professor Dr. Ummay Rayhan; and Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Dr. Mousa. Tahura Parvin. The welcome address was delivered by the Conference Secretary and Professor of the Department of Mathematics, Dr. Mousa. Nasrin Akhter. Additionally, keynote speeches were given by Professor Tawfikur Khan, Chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of North Carolina, USA, and Professor Dr. Biba Sharma from the Department of English at Aligarh Muslim University, India.
In his inaugural address, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz stated, "To build a knowledge-based and discrimination-free society, engineering and technology must be integrated with human values. This international conference at DUET is a significant step towards that goal."
The Chief Patron of the conference and Honorable Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Jaynal Abedin said, "For sustainable development, interdisciplinary knowledge is indispensable to address global crises like climate change, technological transformation, and disparity, through the integration of science, humanities, business studies, and social science streams. A time has come when engineers need to know about society, and humanities and social science students need to understand technology."
The Vice-Chancellor recalled the historic July 2024 mass uprising, stating, "Through this movement, we have gained the strength to reaffirm our identity, beliefs, and aspirations." He described this international conference as a unique bridge of ideas, culture, and knowledge, stating, "Over the next two days, new horizons for the future of sustainable development will be unveiled through the integration of scientific and humanistic knowledge.
The Conference Patron and Honorable Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Md. Arefin Kawsar, said, "DUET's Faculty of Science is currently engaged in research in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and humanities and social sciences on various topics including mathematical modeling, quantum materials, nanotechnology, green catalysis and sustainable polymers, language technology, entrepreneurship policy, and AI-based education systems, integrating the human dimension with technology.
During the two-day international conference, a total of 534 papers will be presented, with participation from about 500 researchers, scientists, and technologists from home and abroad. Deans of various faculties, department heads, directors, teachers, students, and researchers were present at the event.
