Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 9, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan toady called for an engineering education system that meets international accreditation standards while remaining socially and environmentally responsible. 

She made the remarks while addressing the 4th International Symposium on "Quality Assurance in Engineering Education through Accreditation" held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

Rizwana said real quality in engineering must reflect environmental justice, social equity and climate resilience, particularly in cities like Dhaka, where earthquake risks, river erosion and flooding threaten vulnerable communities. 

She said while many engineering interventions aim to protect people and property, they must consider long-term environmental impacts, community needs and sustainability.

The environment adviser said engineers undertake decisions that shape national development; hence accreditation must embed ethical responsibility, environmental awareness and problem-solving that goes beyond conventional planning and infrastructure design.

With the growing number of engineering graduates and private universities, she stressed that curriculum alignment with international benchmarks is now vital.

Expressing hope for concrete outcomes, she said the symposium should lead to enhanced curriculum standards, better practical training and stronger institutional capacity, enabling engineers to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.

Speaking as special guest, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said the symposium has created valuable pathways for improved collaboration between academia and industry, strengthening employability, research capabilities and skills development.

Among others, Professor Dr. Nur Yazdani and Professor Tseng Huang Endowed, University of Texas at Arlington; Professor Ir Megat Johari Megat Mohd Noor, Chair of the Dublin Accord; and Professor Dr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Honorary General Secretary, Institution of Engineers Bangladesh, attended the event with Professor Dr. Tanvir Manzur, Chairman of BAETE, in the chair.

The symposium concluded with a call for follow-up actions to enhance accreditation practices and modernise engineering education in line with international standards and national development priorities. 

Awards were distributed among engineers.