AIUB hosts dissemination workshop on solar irrigation and climate adaptation
The American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) successfully organised a high-profile dissemination workshop at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.
The event highlighted the findings of the yearlong collaborative research project titled "Social Innovation Through Technology Nudging: Developing a Behavioural Toolkit for Diffusing Solar Irrigation."
This groundbreaking initiative, supported by the World Bank through the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Thailand, under the Innovations for Climate Adaptation and Resilience (iCARE) fund, is being implemented in Bangladesh. The research is led by Durham University, UK, in partnership with Curtin University (Australia), American International University-Bangladesh, University of Rajshahi, and Khulna University. The workshop aimed to disseminate research findings and foster policy discussions around sustainability, climate change, and the adoption of solar irrigation technologies.
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Dr Mahmudur Rahman, Additional Secretary (PPC Wing), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was the Guest of Honour at the event. Ms. Nadia Anwar, founder member and chairman of the board of trustees at AIUB, was the special guest.
Professor Dr Michael Naef of Durham University and Professor Dr Ruhul Salim of Curtin University delivered the welcome address. The professor presented inaugural speeches. Dr Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor of AIUB; Professor Dr Rezaul Karim, Vice Chancellor of Khulna University; and Prof. Dr Md. Farid Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Rajshahi, and Dr Carmen Z Lamagna, Member, Board of Trustees, AIUB. Each speaker emphasised the importance of sustainability and innovative approaches to climate resilience through solar irrigation systems.
The research findings were presented by prominent scholars, including Prof. Dr Habib Rahman from Durham University, Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at BIISS, and Dr Zeenatul Islam from the University of Rajshahi. Professor Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam of Bangladesh Agricultural University moderated an open discussion session following the presentation, facilitating dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders.
Ms Nadia Anwar, Mr Ishtiaque Abedin, Founder Member of the AIUB Board of Trustees, Dr Carmen Z. Lamagna, and Prof. Dr Saiful Islam presented the participating researchers with crests. Professor Dr Abdur Rahman, AIUB's pro-vice-chancellor, delivered a vote of thanks.
The workshop attracted more than 100 audience, including scholars, policymakers, experts, faculty members, reporters, and officials from Bangladesh, the UK, Australia, and Thailand. The event marks a significant step forward in addressing climate adaptation and promoting solar irrigation systems for a sustainable future.
