BRUR VC joined closing ceremony of the 'First International Conference on Social Sciences'' organized by the university's Faculty of Social Sciences at the city's BRAC Learning Center on Thursday Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, May 16, 2025 (BSS) - Vice Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali has called for increased joint research projects, joint publications and other opportunities to address local and global challenges. 
 
"For this, increased collaboration and sharing of research results among researchers from different universities around the world can play a significant role in meeting the challenges of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs)," he said.

He made the observation while addressing the closing ceremony of the 'First International Conference on Social Sciences'' organized by the university's Faculty of Social Sciences at the city's BRAC Learning Center on Thursday evening as the chief guest.

The two-day conference brought together academics, researchers and students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal and Bangladesh. 

With the theme 'Social Science Today and Sustainable Development: Trends, Dilemmas and Opportunities', the event featured 126 research presentations across 12 academic sessions.
 
Addressing the event, BRUR VC said that various practical and complex theories and issues of social sciences were discussed in the conference, creating new knowledge and ideas for sustainable development in the socio-economic sector of Bangladesh. 
 
"By utilizing these new knowledge and ideas, the northern region as well as the country as a whole can play an effective role in achieving the SDGs of Bangladesh on time," he said. 
 
The Vice Chancellor called on researchers to come forward to put into practice the northern region, namely Begum Rokeya University, as a global hub for research. 
 
Vice Chancellor of Kurigram Agricultural University Professor Dr Md Rashedul Islam and Executive Director of South Asia Watch on Trade Economics and Environment of Nepal Dr Paresh Kharel addressed the closing ceremony as special guests.
 
Presided over by the conference convener Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department, Director of the Office of the Student Affairs Professor Dr Md Elias Pramanik also addressed the event.