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.

The agreement was signed by Dr Mohammed Nadir bin Ali, Registrar of DIU, and Farzana Amin, Team Leader of the PROGRESS project, at a ceremony held today at DIU’s Green Campus in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Dhaka. The programme will be tailored for Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the ready-made garments (RMG) sector.

The 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 establish a nationally recognised learning pathway for professionals and graduates pursuing careers in sustainability and ESG management.

Under the partnership, DIU and Swisscontact will launch a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business and ESG Management, along with an online certificate course in ESG Foundations, both scheduled to begin in January 2026. The programmes will equip participants with practical knowledge on ESG frameworks, sustainability reporting, energy efficiency, resource management, and gender equity strategies. The curriculum is designed to address critical gaps in Bangladesh’s ESG ecosystem, including the shortage of trained professionals, fragmented training structures, and gender-related barriers to leadership.

Industry professionals from compliance, human resources, and sustainability roles, as well as graduates and development practitioners, are expected to benefit. DIU’s strong digital learning infrastructure and Swisscontact’s expertise in decarbonisation and green growth will support high-quality delivery with strong industry alignment. The initiative 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.

Professor Mohammed Masum Iqbal, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of DIU, said the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and its position as a national leader in ESG and social business education. Dr Mohammed Nadir bin Ali noted that the partnership will help students and professionals acquire the skills needed to support responsible business practices. Farzana Amin said Swisscontact’s work with RMG factories on green transition will be strengthened through this academic collaboration, creating a pool of qualified sustainability professionals.

Khalid Md Bahauddin, Assistant Professor at the ESDM and Sustainability Wing, presented an overview of the project and a brief profile of DIU as the project lead.

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