DU — Climate Education & Awareness Programmes in 2024

5. Major Programmes / Campaigns in 2024

Certificate Course on Climate Change and Public Health (CCPH)

• In June 2024, DU’s Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience (DSCR), in collaboration with Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit (CCHPU) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched the 2nd cohort of this certificate course. Climate Change & Health Promotion Unit+2University of Dhaka+2
• The course runs for three months (June–August 2024). It is designed to build capacity among public-health professionals, researchers, academics, and institution representatives to understand how climate change affects public health — including vulnerabilities, disease-pattern changes, heat stress, flood-related health risks, etc. Climate Change & Health Promotion Unit+2University of Dhaka+2
• Through CCPH, participants are introduced to climate-change science, health impact assessment, climate-resilient health systems, adaptation strategies, surveillance, data analysis, and policy responses. University of Dhaka+1
• On 30 January 2024, DU held a certificate-giving ceremony for participants of this course (presumably the first cohort), reflecting that the programme has been active and institutionalized. Dhaka University+1

→ Interpretation: This course is a concrete educational programme linking climate change to public health risks — a form of local capacity building for mitigation, adaptation, risk reduction, and policy-level readiness.

 

Two-day National Conference and Green Expo on Renewable Energy (at DU, May 2024)

• On 22 May 2024, DU’s Institute of Energy (in cooperation with Greentech Foundation) organized a two-day national conference + Green Expo titled “Policy Frameworks for Enabling Renewable Energy Investment: A Global and Regional Perspective.” Dhaka University
• The conference was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of DU and attended by high-level participants, including government representatives. Dhaka University

→ Interpretation: This conference served as a forum for awareness and policy-oriented discussion on renewable energy and climate-resilient energy investment — educating stakeholders, students, and the broader community about mitigation options (renewable energy) and sustainable energy transitions.

 

Environment Innovation Summit (December 28, 2024)

• On 28 December 2024, the summit was held at DU’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium. It was organized by Dhaka University Research Society (DURS), in cooperation with external partners such as Mission Green Bangladesh and JCI Dhaka Metro. LinkedIn
• The event included multiple sessions on environmental challenges, climate- and environment-related research and innovations, and was inaugurated by a representative of the Swedish Embassy (underscoring international cooperation). The Vice-Chancellor attended the closing ceremony and pledged to boost environmental protection efforts. LinkedIn

→ Interpretation: The summit provided a platform for students, researchers and civil society to engage in climate and environmental issues, propose solutions, and raise awareness — contributing to climate-impact reduction, adaptation thinking, sustainable behaviour and community engagement.

 

World Meteorology Day 2024 — Event by DU Department of Meteorology

• In 2024, DU’s Department of Meteorology collaborated with National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute (NOAMI) and South Asian Meteorological Association (SAMA) to celebrate World Meteorology Day. The event aimed to raise awareness of meteorology’s importance, climate-change mitigation, and innovation in weather/climate sciences. Dhaka University
• The celebration included student contests — a photography contest, a writing contest, and an “innovation challenge” — inviting creative and scientific responses to climate and weather-related issues. Dhaka University

→ Interpretation: Through outreach to students and the academic community, this programme helped nurture awareness about climate change, weather phenomena, early-warning importance, and climate-science education.

 

Clean Green Campus for Development Workshop & Campus Environmental Campaigns

• In April 2024, DU (with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, UNIDO and a corporate partner) initiated a “Clean Green Campus for Development” programme. A preparatory meeting was held, followed by a day-long workshop (on April 15) with certificate distribution, and a campus activation event (on April 19). DU Impact Ranking
• Approximately 400 students — from DU, other institutions and colleges — participated in the workshop. The Vice-Chancellor was chief guest. DU Impact Ranking
• On the occasion of International Forest Day (2024), DU carried out tree-planting, biodiversity/f forest conservation campaigns, departmental seminars (e.g., by the Department of Botany) on "Forest and Food", and rallies to raise awareness about nature, forest, and environment protection. DU Impact Ranking

→ Interpretation: These campaigns and workshops engaged students and staff in environmental stewardship, awareness raising on ecological/climate change issues, and building a culture of sustainability on campus — contributing to mitigation, adaptation, and long-term behavioural change.

 

Conclusion (2024 Status)

In 2024, University of Dhaka actively engaged in education, awareness, capacity building, and community campaigns around climate-change risks, impacts, adaptation, mitigation, early warning and sustainable environment. The institution utilized multiple formats: certificate courses, conferences, summits, departmental events, campus-wide environmental campaigns — reaching a broad audience (students, staff, professionals, government-linked stakeholders).

At the same time, DU appears to be building a long-term foundation: developing professionals trained on climate-health linkages, promoting renewable energy discourse, encouraging innovation, and fostering green-campus behaviour.

These multi-pronged efforts reflect DU’s growing institutional role in climate action, public education, and sustainable development — contributing both to national resilience and local community awareness.