Shaping Future Leaders

1. Multidisciplinary Education on Aquatic Life

• The Faculty of Biological Sciences houses 11 departments, including:
  • Soil, Water, and Environment
  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology and Fisheries
  • Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
• Objective: Provide comprehensive education on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and biodiversity.
• Impact: Prepares students to tackle challenges related to aquatic life and sustainability.
• Reference: Faculty of Biological Sciences, DU

Innovative Solutions for Tomorrow

1. Advanced Research on Aquatic Biodiversity

• Conducted by the Center of Advanced Studies and Research on Biological Sciences, with projects such as:
  • Endangered Species Conservation and Fisheries (Prof. Alifa Bintha Haque): Investigates sustainable fisheries to support coastal communities.
  • Macro-Benthic Invertebrates and Water Quality (Dr. Kaniz Fatema): Explores correlations between water quality parameters and aquatic biodiversity in tropical rivers.
  • Fisheries Stock Monitoring (Md. Hasan Faruque): Studies industrial fin fish trawling in the Bay of Bengal to optimize resource management.
• Impact: Provides critical data to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries.
• Reference: DU Center of Advanced Studies and Research on Biological Sciences

2. Botanical Research on Wetland Biodiversity

• The Department of Botany focuses on phytoplankton diversity in wetlands such as Tanguar Haor and Hakaluki Haor.
• Objective: Assess and conserve aquatic biodiversity using cutting-edge genome editing techniques.
• Impact: Contributes to the ecological preservation of critical wetland ecosystems.
• Reference: DU Botany Department

3. Conservation Projects by Zoology Department

• Projects include:
  • Conservation of Transboundary Wildlife in the Ganges River.
  • Marine Protected Areas and Sawfish Conservation, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Forest Department.
  • Microplastics in Rivers and Wetlands, in collaboration with the World Bank.
  • Scaling Up Genomic Resources for Fish Conservation, supported by the United States Department of Agriculture.
• Impact: Enhances biodiversity monitoring and protection while addressing pollution and habitat degradation.
• Reference: DU Zoology Department

Sustainable Campus and Practices

1. Water Management and Climate Action

• DU actively engages in water resource management to mitigate flooding and safeguard aquatic biodiversity in collaboration with government and international organizations.
• Objective: Address the impacts of upstream flooding and coastal cyclones to protect aquatic habitats.
• Impact: Supports the sustainability of riverine and coastal communities.
• Reference: DU Sustainability Reports

2. Collaborations for Aquatic Conservation

• Partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and international institutions ensure the implementation of best practices for aquatic ecosystem management.
• Example Projects:
  • Research on antimicrobial resistance in amphibians in Dhaka, funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • Toxicological assessments of microplastic-contaminated water, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority.
• Reference: DU Research and Collaborations

Empowering Communities for Change

1. Workshops on Aquatic Ecosystem Sustainability

• DU’s seminars and workshops bring together students, researchers, and practitioners to address the challenges of aquatic biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
• Impact: Raises awareness and provides actionable strategies for local and national stakeholders.
• Reference: DU Community Engagement Programs

2. Empowering Coastal Communities

• Research projects by DU focus on balancing biodiversity conservation with livelihood support for coastal communities, ensuring economic sustainability without harming aquatic ecosystems.
• Reference: DU Center for Community Engagement