A two-day International Biotechnology Conference 2025 (IBC 2025) concluded at BRAC University in Merul Badda, Dhaka on Saturday, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and highlighting emerging trends in biotechnology research and application.
Advancements in science through research and social progress must come about simultaneously, said Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In his keynote address, he emphasised utilising intelligence, resilience, and a sense of purpose to deal with the nation’s emerging challenges and its dearth of research infrastructure.
Biology, technology, and computational capacities are increasingly coming together in solving real world problems, said Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar, Dean of the School of Data and Sciences.
This conference is a part of BRAC University’s institutional strategy of research for impact and to enable genuine intellectual exchanges to replace brain drain, said Dr David Dowland, registrar of BRAC University.
Organised under the Biotechnology Program of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences under the School of Data and Sciences, the conference also focused on the transformative role of biotechnology in addressing today’s global challenges.
Over 1,000 leading scientists, researchers, academics, and students from Bangladesh and around the world engaged in dialogue during the event, encouraging knowledge sharing, and strengthening networks among academia, public health, industry, and education sectors.
The highlight of IBC 2025 was two plenary sessions. One of them, “From Bench to Breakthroughs: A Lifetime Journey in Biotechnology”, focused on the personal and professional journeys of researchers working on agrobiotech, medical physics, and environmental science.
The other, “Reimagining Biotech: Building Startups, SMEs & Private Sector Pathways for Biotech Graduates”, explored the intersection of science and entrepreneurship, highlighting how ideas in the lab can evolve into practical solutions through collaboration and perseverance.
More than 100 presentations were delivered across 14 thematic tracks, such as healthcare innovation, agricultural biotechnology, environmental sustainability, and computational biology.
In addition to technical sessions, IBC 2025 featured poster presentations in an exhibition hall, offering a platform for students and early-career researchers to share their work and engage with mentors and peers.
The event concluded with a cultural evening and an award presentation ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to the field of biotechnology.
Dr Md Sagir Ahmed, director general of the National Institute of Biotechnology, and Dr Md Firoze H Haque, chairperson of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at BRAC University, joined the closing ceremony as guests.
Dr Munima Haque, convener of IBC 2025 and Director of the Biotechnology Program, gave the closing remarks.