The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh will launch the country’s first Environmental Studies and Sustainability department, according to a press release.
The inaugural cohort will begin classes in Spring 2026, with enrolment opening on 4 December.
ULAB said the department reflects its long-standing commitment to sustainability and global recognition, including its eighth position in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 and its place in the WURI Top 60 innovative universities.
The new Bachelor of Environmental Science and Sustainability will integrate ecology, climate science, policy and liberal arts in a single interdisciplinary structure.
Students will receive hands-on training in research methods, GIS mapping, environmental law, ethics and communication to build competencies in scientific problem-solving, policy advocacy and leadership.
ULAB said the programme will draw on its Centre for Sustainable Development, established in 2006, alongside a student-led Sustainability Club, an Environment Lab and a GIS lab.
All faculty members hold degrees from leading universities, and most bring professional industry experience.
Classes will take place on ULAB’s green Mohammadpur campus, which includes modern classrooms, an IoT lab and extensive study spaces.
The university said the first batch will receive a 20% tuition waiver, while two students will be offered full scholarships.
‘Bangladesh’s climate challenges are profound, but so is the potential of our youth,’ said ULAB Pro Vice Chancellor Jude William Genilo, adding that the programme is designed for students who want to fight climate change and protect nature.
‘We are dedicated to inspiring leadership, critical thinking and a lifelong commitment to advancing environmental, social and economic sustainability,’ said Professor Mahmood Hossain, head of the department, noting that the programme builds on ULAB’s history of sustainability research to help students design practical solutions for communities and ecosystems.
The four-year curriculum will combine coursework, fieldwork, research, internships and global collaboration.
Students will study frameworks such as the Paris Climate Accord and the SDGs and work with government and NGOs through the Centre for Sustainable Development.
ULAB said partnerships with institutions in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Canada will support exchanges and joint research.
The release said the new department aims to channel rising youth climate activism into evidence-based solutions for Bangladesh’s escalating environmental risks.
