05/10/2026
Global Knowledge, Local Action: 2nd Batch of International Climate Course Officially Launched
The 2nd Batch of the International Course on “Environmental Science and Climate Action: A Global South Perspective” was officially launched online on 1 October 2026, bringing together academics, international partners, climate practitioners and participants for another collaborative learning journey.
Jointly organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University; Mission Green Bangladesh; and Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the 10-week course aims to connect international scientific knowledge with Global South realities while strengthening participants’ knowledge, analytical capacity, professional networks and ability to translate learning into meaningful climate action.
The course is supported by the Binks Institute for Sustainability, University of Dundee, UK; Asia Hub, Michigan State University, USA; Nanjing Agricultural University, China; and Stamford University Bangladesh.
Opening the ceremony, Ahsan Rony, Executive Director, Mission Green Bangladesh, welcomed the participants and highlighted opportunities to learn from national and international experts, exchange knowledge, build networks and advance practical climate action.
Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, Director, C3ER, BRAC University, presented the course overview, outlining its objectives, eight thematic modules, structure and expected learning outcomes. He highlighted strengthening foundational knowledge in environmental and climate science; understanding adaptation, mitigation, resilience, sustainability, loss and damage, and climate governance; and building regional and international networks. The course comprises 18 lectures and two examinations, with online classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University, formally launched the course and reflected on Bangladesh’s resilience and contributions to addressing environmental and climate challenges. Drawing on the success of the first batch, he encouraged participants to gain knowledge, build connections and contribute to wider efforts towards environmental sustainability and climate action.
Participants also shared their expectations and aspirations. Mehedi Hassan, a student at BRAC University, reflected on how practical exposure to environmental and community-based initiatives shaped his understanding of climate change and expressed his aspiration to translate learning into meaningful action for communities.
Samiya Tasmeen, a development practitioner, highlighted how climate change affects children, families and communities. She expressed her interest in strengthening her understanding of climate adaptation and resilience and exploring stronger connections between early childhood development and climate action.
Representing the course’s international academic partners, Dr. Nandan Mukherjee, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Binks Institute for Sustainability at the University of Dundee, shared an optimistic perspective on the global climate transition. Highlighting developments in renewable energy, electric mobility, technological innovation and nature restoration, he encouraged participants to view climate action as an opportunity for innovation and transformation.
In a recorded video message, Jennifer Wargo, Associate Director, Asia Hub International Studies and Programs, Michigan State University, emphasised that climate challenges transcend national boundaries and that meaningful solutions require collaboration, diverse perspectives, and recognition of the knowledge, innovation and leadership emerging from the Global South.
Dr. Liu Yutao, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office at Nanjing Agricultural University, emphasised climate solutions rooted in local needs, knowledge and ownership. He encouraged participants to engage in open dialogue, build lasting peer networks and translate their learning into practical action within their communities.
Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, emphasised the urgency of climate action and encouraged participants to develop practical mitigation and adaptation solutions.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean, Faculty of Science, Stamford University Bangladesh, highlighted the course as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among national and international institutions, experts and participants.
Sharmin Nahar Nipa, Assistant Director, C3ER, BRAC University, facilitated and moderated the ceremony, marking the start of a collaborative journey that connects global knowledge with Global South realities and empowers emerging climate leaders to turn knowledge into action. 🌱🌏
