Young Researcher Development Program Launched to Empower Future Researchers in Bangladesh

Dhaka, April 20, 2025 — In a groundbreaking initiative to cultivate a new generation of academic researchers in Bangladesh, the Top Scholar Society of Bangladesh (TSSB), in collaboration with the International Online Journal Hub (IOJH), has launched the Young Researcher Development Program (YRDP). The program, announced at a press conference in Dhaka, aims to equip 1,000 university students with hands-on research skills and real-world research experience—entirely free of cost.

The YRDP is the first-of-its-kind nationwide effort addressing long-standing barriers faced by students in higher education, including lack of mentorship, absence of structured research programs, and limited access to funding. The initiative was developed following an extensive study by TSSB, which surveyed thousands of students, faculty members, and academic institutions across the country. The findings revealed that although students are eager to engage in research, they often lack the necessary guidance, training, and resources.

“Too many bright ideas are lost because students don’t have the mentorship or support to turn their ideas into published work,” said Md. Kariul Islam, Founder & CEO of IOJH. “YRDP is designed to change that narrative by nurturing future researchers who can contribute meaningfully to national and global issues.”

Under the program, 1,000 students will be grouped into 100 research teams. Each team will work on a research project aligned with nationally significant topics identified by IOJH. Training will be delivered through a hybrid model, combining online sessions with hands-on workshops at IOJH’s headquarters.

Participants will receive direct mentorship from some of the country’s most esteemed researchers, including Dr. Profulla C. Sarker (Chief Advisor, IOJH), Dr. Thrina Islam (Director, R&D, IOJH), Dr. Aftab Uddin, Prof. Dr. Golam Hossain, Dr. Md. Iqbal Hossain, and Prof. Md. Khorshed Ali Miah. These mentors will guide students through every step of the research process—from topic selection and conceptual framework development to methodology, data analysis, and final publication.

All research projects will be published in SSB’s global academic journals. Projects demonstrating exceptional quality will also receive support for publication in high-impact international journals, offering a rare opportunity for students to become published researchers even before graduation.

“This program isn’t just a training course—it’s a movement to build a culture of research in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Thrina Islam, Director of Research & Development at IOJH. “We want to see confident, skilled researchers emerge who can lead our academic and scientific future.”

The press conference was led by Md. Kariul Islam, Founder & CEO of IOJH, and Dr. Thrina Islam, Director (R&D), IOJH.

Also present at the press conference were, Baki Billah, Chief Coordinator, YRDP and Research Associate, IOJH;
Kazi Faisal Alam, Head of Journal Management, IOJH;
Suriya Yesmin, Manager, IOJH;
Ehsan Ahmed, Research Associate, IOJH;
Hasnain Imtiaz, Statistician, IOJH; and, Hasan Jafre Shovon, Research Assistant, IOJH.

IOJH has already supported over 10,000 researchers through various academic services, including data analysis, manuscript preparation, and clinical trial support. With 12 academic journals under its wing, the organization is now taking a bold step toward academic transformation through YRDP.

This pioneering effort marks a major milestone in Bangladesh’s journey toward becoming a research-driven knowledge society.