Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organised a transdisciplinary seminar titled “National Dialogue on Early Childhood Development Policy and Practice” on 22 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, academics, and development practitioners to discuss priorities in early childhood education and development.

The event was organised by the Department of Public Health under IUB’s School of Pharmacy and Public Health (SPPH). Discussions focused on curriculum reform, teacher development, and implementation strategies for strengthening early childhood development programmes in Bangladesh.

The seminar was attended by Bobby Hajjaj as chief guest, while Prof M Tamim chaired the session.

Other participants included Didar A Husain and Farid Ahmed.

In his remarks, the State Minister emphasised the need for curriculum reform and improved teacher training, highlighting the importance of shifting from memorisation-based learning to approaches that build critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills in early learners.

Speakers also noted that early childhood development requires coordinated efforts between families, educational institutions, and government bodies to ensure a supportive learning environment during the formative years.

Key presentations during the seminar addressed early childhood development policy frameworks and teacher capacity building, followed by an open discussion involving representatives from government, academia, and development organisations.

The programme concluded with closing remarks from Daniel W Lund, with organisers reiterating the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen early childhood development initiatives in Bangladesh.