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Jun 26
Jun 26
Islamic University Delegation Now Visiting University of Gävle, Sweden under RESHAPE Project
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29
May 26
May 26
Honorable Vice Chancellor Leads Islamic University Delegation on Erasmus+ Visit to Finland and Sweden
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18
May 26
May 26
শিক্ষা ও গবেষণার মানোন্নয়নে শক্তিশালী অ্যালামনাই অ্যাসোসিয়েশন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ: ভাইস চ্যান্সেলর
VIEWIslamic University Delegation Now Visiting University of Gävle, Sweden under RESHAPE Project
As part of its ongoing academic and research visit to Finland and Sweden, the delegation from Islamic University, Bangladesh, is visiting the University of Gävle, Sweden, from 4 June to 9 June 2026. The visit is being conducted under the RESHAPE project, which aims to strengthen international academic cooperation, enhance research capacity, and foster meaningful collaboration between institutions in the Global South and the Global North. On the first day of the visit, 4 June 2026, the Islamic University delegation participated in a series of academic meetings, presentations, and interactive sessions hosted by the University of Gävle. The programme began with a presentation by the Islamic University team on Bangladesh’s higher education system, with particular emphasis on the academic structure, institutional development, research activities, and educational priorities of Islamic University.
The Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University, Professor Dr. AKM Motinur Rahman, addressed the session, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in higher education and research. In his remarks, he underscored the significanc of the RESHAPE project and explained how the initiative can benefit both partner institutions by enhancing academic exchange, research collaboration, pedagogical innovation, and institutional capacity building. He emphasized that cooperation between universities from the Global South and the Global North can create new opportunities for knowledge sharing, joint research, faculty development, student engagement, and sustainable academic partnerships. During the visit, Professor Dr. AKM Motinur Rahman met with the Head of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Gävle. They exchanged greetings and discussed future possibilities for research and academic collaboration between the University of Gävle and Islamic University, Bangladesh. The discussion focused on areas of mutual interest, including social work, sustainable development, planetary health, youth wellbeing, community engagement, and higher education development.
The Vice-Chancellor also met with the RESHAPE project coordinators at the University of Gävle, Professor Dr. Mark Holter and Professor Dr. Päivi Turunen. On behalf of Islamic University, he presented token gifts to the project coordinators as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill. The meeting reflected the strong commitment of both institutions to continuing and expanding academic cooperation through the RESHAPE project and related initiatives. Professor Dr. Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Project Coordinator from Islamic University, gave a brief introduction to the RESHAPE project and introduced the Islamic University delegation. He discussed the current relevance of the project in the academic and research context of both the Global South and the Global North. He also emphasized the role of the project in developing collaborative research networks, improving teaching-learning practices, and addressing contemporary social and environmental challenges through academic engagement. Professor Dr. Mohammed Selim delivered a presentation on behalf of the Islamic University team, focusing on the higher education system of Bangladesh and the academic environment of Islamic University. His presentation covered the university’s educational structure, academic programmes, research priorities, and contribution to national higher education. The session was attended by Professor Dr. Md. Fokrul Islam, Chairman of the Department, and Professor Dr. Lutfor Rahman, who also participated actively in the academic discussions.
Professor Dr. Mohammad Zulfiquar Hossain briefly presented the role of different voluntary student organizations at Islamic University. He explained how these student-led organizations have been working to promote planetary health, environmental awareness, social wellbeing, and community-based activities around the Islamic University campus. His presentation demonstrated how student engagement can contribute to broader institutional goals related to sustainability, wellbeing, and social responsibility. In addition to the presentations by the Islamic University delegation, the team attended several interactive sessions on pedagogical approaches, learning methods, and teaching practices in Swedish universities. These sessions provided the delegation with valuable insights into student-centred learning, participatory teaching, interdisciplinary education, and the integration of research into classroom practices. The Islamic University team also gathered practical knowledge about ongoing social work research at the University of Gävle and explored how such research can contribute to sustainable development and planetary wellbeing.
Professor Dr. Stefan Sjöberg of the Department of Social Work at the University of Gävle delivered a comprehensive presentation on the current research activities of the Faculty of Social Work. He discussed different areas of social work research, ongoing academic initiatives, and collaborative opportunities with international partners. His presentation highlighted how research and academic activities can promote planetary wellbeing, social justice, sustainable development, and cooperation between universities in the Global North and the Global South.
The programme is expected to bring significant academic and research benefits for Islamic University. Through participation in seminars, pedagogical sessions, research presentations, and institutional meetings, the delegation gained valuable exposure to Swedish higher education practices, research management, doctoral education, and interdisciplinary approaches to social work and sustainable development. These experiences will support Islamic University in improving teaching-learning methods, strengthening its research culture, developing international research networks, and creating opportunities for joint publications, collaborative projects, faculty exchange, and future student-centred academic initiatives.
The visit will also help Islamic University expand its capacity in areas such as social work, planetary health, youth wellbeing, sustainability, and community-based research. By learning from the academic practices and research environment of the University of Gävle, Islamic University can further enhance its institutional strategies for quality education, evidence-based research, and global academic engagement. The programme therefore contributes not only to short-term academic exchange but also to the long-term development of Islamic University as a research-oriented and internationally connected institution.
At the end of the first day’s programme, the Vice-Chancellor and the Islamic University delegation attended a dinner hosted by the University of Gävle. The dinner provided an opportunity for further informal discussion, academic networking, and strengthening of institutional relationships between the two universities.
On the second day of the visit, 5 June 2026, the Vice-Chancellor and his delegation attended the public PhD defence of PhD candidate Elvi Chang at the Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle. The public defence lasted for more than two hours and was attended by academics, researchers, and professors from several universities in Finland and Sweden.
The title of the doctoral dissertation was “A Call for Ecosocial Work: Local Opportunities for Promoting Youth Well-being.” The defence focused on ecosocial work, youth wellbeing, local community opportunities, and the broader relationship between social work, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. The Islamic University delegation observed the academic process of a Swedish public doctoral defence and gained practical understanding of the standards, procedures, and scholarly culture associated with doctoral research evaluation in Sweden.
Following the defence, Professor Dr. AKM Motinur Rahman met with professors and researchers in social work from Finland and Sweden. During these discussions, he explored potential areas for future research and academic collaboration. The conversations included possibilities for joint research projects, faculty exchange, collaborative publications, doctoral supervision, research seminars, and long-term institutional partnerships.
The visit to the University of Gävle represents an important milestone in strengthening international academic cooperation between Islamic University, Bangladesh, and European partner institutions. Through presentations, academic dialogue, research discussions, pedagogical sessions, and participation in doctoral-level academic activities, the visit is expected to contribute significantly to the development of future collaborative initiatives under the RESHAPE project. The Islamic University delegation expressed sincere appreciation to the University of Gävle for its warm hospitality, academic support, and commitment to international cooperation. Both institutions reaffirmed their interest in continuing dialogue and developing sustainable partnerships in research, education, social work, planetary wellbeing, and higher education development.
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Information, Publications and Public Relations Office
By Dr. Amanur Aman