Bangladesh and China have stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in marine resource management, climate change, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, technology and human resource development alongside education and research.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam made the call while speaking as a special guest at the Second China-Bangladesh Roundtable on Governance Experience Exchange held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on Monday.
The event was jointly organised by the Centre for China Studies (CCS), Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), University of Dhaka, OCPASS and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan attended the programme as the chief guest. Other speakers included SIIS Vice President and Senior Research Fellow Dr Li Kaisheng, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Li Shaoping and Guest of Honour Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.
Professor Obaidul Islam said universities, research institutions and relevant organisations in Bangladesh and China could create new opportunities for practical cooperation through knowledge and experience sharing.
He said the University of Dhaka has long served as an important centre for higher education, research and intellectual exchange, while placing increasing importance on expanding international institutional partnerships.
“Bangladesh and China’s longstanding friendly relations can be transformed into more effective cooperation through education, research and institutional partnerships,” he said.
The vice-chancellor said the blue economy and sustainable marine development represent important areas of potential for Bangladesh. Harnessing opportunities in fisheries, shipping, coastal development, marine infrastructure and other ocean-based sectors requires scientific research, reliable data, skilled human resources and effective governance, he added.
He noted that China’s experience in marine research, engineering, fisheries, aquatic resource management and infrastructure development could be valuable for Bangladesh. Similarly, Bangladesh could share its experience in coastal adaptation and managing densely populated coastal areas.
Professor Obaidul Islam also said two memorandums of understanding between the University of Dhaka and China’s First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) had recently been renewed to expand cooperation in oceanography, ocean observation, forecasting, climate research and disaster resilience.
On climate change and disaster management, he said Bangladesh had gained significant experience in dealing with cyclones, floods and river erosion, while China had extensive experience in disaster monitoring, technology and infrastructure management.
“By combining the experiences of the two countries, effective initiatives can be undertaken to improve early warning systems, reduce disaster risks and strengthen climate resilience,” he said.
He also called for stronger connections among researchers, policymakers and professionals of the two countries through various departments and research centres of the University of Dhaka, particularly in oceanography, climate, disaster management and technology.
Education Minister Milan said education and human resource development could play an important role in further strengthening Bangladesh-China relations.
He stressed the need to establish effective links among education, technology, research and industry to turn Bangladesh’s large young population into skilled human resources. Bangladesh can also learn from China’s development experience, he added.
Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury said Bangladesh-China relations should be expanded beyond government-to-government ties through greater cooperation in education, research, technology and people-to-people contacts.
He said sustainable development requires not only infrastructure and technological investment but also sound policies, effective institutions, management skills and implementation capacity.
Chinese and Bangladeshi experts and researchers exchanged views on governance and development experiences, the blue economy, climate change, disaster risk reduction, education, research, technology and human resource development at the roundtable.
The participants also discussed opportunities for expanding institutional cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the first Bangla edition of the book “Keywords to Understand the Common Development in Asia” was launched at the event. Organised into four chapters covering 85 topics, the book highlights ideas and initiatives related to common development across Asian countries.
Several copies of the book were also handed over to the University of Dhaka Library.
