Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Aug 13, 2026, (BSS)- Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) member and in-charge of the routine duties of the chairman Professor Dr Masuma Habib has stressed the need for inclusion of the ‘One Health’ approach in higher education curriculum to protect public health. 

She made the call as the chief guest at a symposium held at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) today. The Third One Health Youth Alliance Bangladesh organized the event in collaboration with AIUB.

Professor Dr Masuma Habib said challenges such as the transmission of diseases from animals to humans, environmental pollution, antimicrobial resistance and climate change cannot be addressed by any single sector. 

Doctors, veterinarians, agricultural scientists, environmentalists, public health experts and professionals from other fields must work together in a coordinated manner to tackle these crises, she said.

She said Bangladesh is becoming an important hub of public health and environmental challenges due to rapid urbanization, population density, environmental pollution and climate risks. 

Over 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases are related to animals and the environment. Therefore, the concept of ‘One Health’ should be reflected in the curricula of medical science, nursing, pharmacy, microbiology, zoology, agriculture, food science and environmental science, she said.

She mentioned the initiative at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University among public universities and the establishment of a One Health Center at AIUB among private universities in Bangladesh. The UGC member expressed hope that the center would play an effective role in achieving its objectives.

The UGC member said the current government has taken various plans and initiatives to develop the younger generation as skilled and competent human resources and to effectively engage them in running the country and contributing to national development. 

AIUB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Saiful Islam and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdur Rahman were present at the event. 

Professor Dr Muhammad Wasif Alam, Lead of the One Health Center of AIUB’s Department of Public Health and Adviser to One Health Youth Alliance Bangladesh, chaired the event.

Dr Abu Sayed, president of the organizing committee, along with teachers, researchers and students from various universities, healthcare professionals and representatives of development partner organizations, also attended the event.