The University of Dhaka engages actively across a range of policy-domains including law, technology, migration/displacement and climate change by organizing seminars, certificate courses, and collaborative programmes with government ministries and public agencies. These initiatives support lawmakers, policymakers and public officials in awareness, capacity-building and evidence-based decision-making.
Key initiatives (2024 examples):
- The Centre for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) under the Faculty of Law organised a seminar on “Should we blame Artificial Intelligence?” on 27 February 2024, exploring the legal regulation of AI and its implications for policy and governance.https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/cals-faculty-law-university-dhaka-organises-seminar-artificial-intelligence-3560861
- In collaboration with the Climate Change & Health Promotion Unit (CCHPU) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Department of Disaster Science & Climate Resilience at the University of Dhaka, the University launched a certificate course on “Climate Change and Public Health” on 8 June 2024, supporting public officials and stakeholders in understanding climate-health linkages.https://cchpu-mohfw.gov.bd/2nd-cohort-of-certificate-course-on-climate-change-and-public-health-launched-at-university-of-dhaka/
- Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka – Course on “Global Ethnoscapes: Migration and Diaspora” (2024) focusing on international migration, displacement, and diaspora studies.https://du.ac.bd/postGrad/ant
- Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka – Forum in collaboration with Global Partnership for Education‑KIX Hub engaging government officials, education experts, and civil society representatives on policy and educational governance.https://du.ac.bd/webPost/98/21442
- Department of Finance, University of Dhaka – International Conference on Finance and Sustainable Development (2024), attended by policymakers, economists, and government representatives, providing exposure to evidence-based financial governance and sustainable policy frameworks.https://financedu.ac.bd/conferences-icfsd2024.php
- Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka – “Navigating Development Pathways in the Evolving Global Order” International Conference (5–6 May 2024) focusing on development, policy, and capacity building for policy-makers and public officials.https://du.ac.bd/du_post_details/post/20817
- Faculty members from the university were appointed to national reform commissions, providing legislative outreach and advice. For example, ProfessorFerdous Arfina Osman of Public Administration department is a member of the Local Government Reform Commission; ProfessorShahnaz Huda of Law department is a member of the Police Reform Commission; QuaziMahfujulHaque Supan, Associate Professor of Law department is a memberof the Justice Division Reform Commission, formed by the interim government in 2024.
These programmes demonstrate the University’s role in bridging academia and policy: faculty lead structured learning programmes for policymakers, host interdisciplinary seminars on emerging regulatory issues and provide expert membership in reform commissions. Such outreach educates and supports lawmakers and public officials, making the university a key partner in public policy formation, legislative education and capacity building.
