DIU and Swisscontact Partner to Boost ESG Education

Daffodil International University (DIU) and Swisscontact have signed an agreement to introduce a structured academic pathway focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability.

Dr Mohammed Nadir bin Ali, Registrar of DIU, and Farzana Amin, Team Leader of the PROGRESS project, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

This programme will be tailored for Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector. The signing ceremony took place today at DIU’s Green Campus in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Dhaka.

This collaboration is part of Swisscontact’s Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-made Garments Sector through Skills (PROGRESS) project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland. The initiative aims to build a nationally recognised learning pathway for professionals and graduates seeking careers in sustainability and ESG management.

The partnership will launch a Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Sustainable Business and ESG Management, and an Online Certificate Course in ESG Foundations, planning to commence in January 2026.

These programmes will equip participants with practical knowledge on ESG frameworks, sustainability reporting, energy efficiency, resource management, and gender equity strategies.

The curriculum is being designed to address critical gaps in Bangladesh’s ESG ecosystem, including the shortage of trained professionals, fragmented training structures, and gendered barriers in leadership roles.

Industry professionals from compliance, HR, and sustainability functions, as well as graduates and development practitioners, will benefit from these programs. DIU’s strong digital learning infrastructure and Swisscontact’s expertise in decarbonization and green growth will ensure high-quality delivery and industry alignment.

The collaboration also advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, and Partnerships for the Goals.

Stakeholders welcomed the initiative enthusiastically. Professor Dr Mohammed Masum Iqbal, Acting Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of DIU, highlighted that the collaboration reflects DIU’s commitment to sustainability and its role as a national leader in ESG & Social Business education.

Dr Mohammed Nadir bin Ali, Registrar of DIU, mentioned that this partnership will help students and professionals gain the skills they need to support sustainability and responsible practices in the future.

Farzana Amin, Team Leader of the PROGRESS project, noted that Swisscontact’s work with RMG factories on green transition will be complemented by this academic collaboration, creating a pool of qualified sustainability professionals.

Khalid Md. Bahauddin, Assistant Professor, ESDM & Sustainability Wing, presented an overview of the project and a short profile on DIU as the Project Lead.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from DIU, including Professor Dr Mostafa Kamal, Dean of Academic Affairs; Dr Mohammed Nadir bin Ali, Registrar; Distinguished Professor Dr A.F.M. Mafizul Islam; Dr Mahfuza Parveen, Director, Division of Research; Mohammad Monir Hossan, Deputy Director, URC & Sustainability Wing; Obayed Chowdhury, Assistant Director, HRDI; and Ibrahim Hossain, Sustainability Officer. From Swisscontact, Farzana Amin, Sayedul Arefin, Tanzeel Rashid, and Tasmim Sinha were present.