Daffodil International University (DIU) Chairman Dr Md Sabur Khan represented Bangladesh at the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he spoke on the role of higher education institutions in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr Khan participated as a distinguished session speaker in a discussion titled “Driving Change: How South Asian Higher Education Powers the SDGs”, highlighting the contribution of universities to addressing some of the region’s most pressing social and economic challenges, DIU said in a press release.
During the session, Dr Khan pointed to key issues facing South Asia, including youth employability, climate resilience and equitable access to quality education and opportunities.
He said universities have a critical role to play in preparing future-ready graduates, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, producing impactful research and building partnerships that support sustainable development.
Addressing how institutions in the region continue to advance the SDGs despite resource constraints, Dr Khan emphasised the importance of visionary leadership, institutional commitment, innovation and collaboration across sectors.
He noted that higher education institutions can generate significant societal impact when sustainability principles are integrated into teaching, research, campus operations and community engagement activities.
As part of the discussion, Dr Khan shared Daffodil International University’s experience in supporting SDG 4, which focuses on quality education, and SDG 17, which promotes partnerships for achieving the goals.
He highlighted the university’s initiatives to expand access to quality education, encourage entrepreneurship and digital innovation, strengthen international partnerships and advance sustainability programmes.
According to the university, these efforts have received international recognition through leading global assessments and rankings.
The session brought together participants to exchange views on how higher education institutions can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.
The Global Sustainable Development Congress serves as a platform for universities, policymakers, researchers and development stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing sustainable development through higher education and international cooperation.
DIU said in a press release that Dr Khan’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase Bangladesh’s higher education initiatives and share the university’s experiences in aligning academic activities with global sustainability objectives.
