KHULNA, June 30, 2026 (BSS) - A five-member delegation from Khulna University (KU), led by Vice-

Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim, is participating in a two-day international research seminar

titled 'Bangladesh: Climate and Development' at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

The seminar, organised by Utrecht University under the Cultures of Adaptation Network (CAN), began

today and will continue until July 1 as part of an expanding academic collaboration involving Khulna

University, Utrecht University and Wageningen University & Research.

The international partnership, initiated last year, focuses on education and joint research on

climate change, adaptation, livelihoods, migration and social resilience in Bangladesh's coastal

region.

The collaboration has been strengthened through the initiative of KU alumnus and Associate Professor

at Utrecht University, Dr Biswajit Mallick, with Khulna University now serving as one of CAN's

strategic partners.

Other members of the KU delegation are Professor Dr Md Nazmus Sadat of the Forestry and Wood

Technology Discipline, Professor Dr Md Nasif Ahsan of the Economics Discipline, Professor Dr Md Ashik

Ur Rahman of the Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, and Assistant Professor Shapla Singh of the

Drawing and Painting Discipline.

Addressing the inaugural session as a special guest, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Rezaul Karim said

climate change is no longer a prediction for the future but a present-day reality affecting millions

of people in Bangladesh through floods, cyclones, river erosion, salinity intrusion, heatwaves and

rising sea levels.

He said climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a challenge to livelihoods, food

and water security, education, healthcare and the country's overall future.

Highlighting Khulna University's geographical importance, he said the university is located near the

Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the

world, where people experience the direct impacts of cyclones, tidal surges and increasing salinity.

The Vice-Chancellor announced that the university is planning to establish an offshore campus at

Paikgachha, adjacent to the Sundarbans, which will function as a 'living laboratory' for

international researchers to conduct field-based studies on coastal ecosystems, climate impacts,

biodiversity and adaptation strategies.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences at

Utrecht University Professor Dr A. Wezel, Lilian Swier of the NWO ADM Lab Programme and Head of the

SGPL Department at Utrecht University Professor Dr E. Buitelaar also addressed the inaugural session.

A total of 32 research papers on climate change, adaptation, sustainable development and

international cooperation relating to Bangladesh are being presented at the seminar.

Researchers from across Europe are also sharing their findings and experiences on Bangladesh, while

representatives from universities, research institutions and development organisations from

Bangladesh, the Netherlands, the United States and other countries are taking part.

Following the seminar, a summer school will be held at Utrecht University from July 6 to 10 featuring

lectures, workshops, practical training and field activities on climate change, coastal ecosystems,

adaptation strategies and international research collaboration.