A delegation from the American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) represented Bangladesh at the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, organized by Times Higher Education in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Held at the Jakarta Convention Center from 22 to 25 June 2026, the congress brought together university leaders, policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, and sustainability experts from around the world to discuss the role of higher education in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event served as a global platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and exploring innovative solutions to contemporary social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Representing AIUB at the congress, Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, and Ms. Carlin Noelle Lamagna, Deputy Director, Office of Planning and Development, participated in the masterclass titled “From Rankings to Ratings? The Evolution of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings Methodology.”

Held on 24 June 2026, the session provided an in-depth overview of how universities are increasingly evaluated not only on academic excellence but also on their measurable contributions to sustainable development and societal impact. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging international benchmarks, evidence-based reporting practices, stakeholder engagement strategies, and institutional impact assessment. The knowledge acquired through this session is expected to support AIUB in strengthening its sustainability initiatives, impact reporting mechanisms, and strategic planning processes, while enhancing its position within global higher education assessment frameworks.

Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi also attended the panel discussion, “Lifelong Learning as a Catalyst for Educational Excellence and Social Impact.”

The discussion explored how universities can develop flexible learning ecosystems that support learners throughout their lives while responding to workforce transformation, technological advancements, and evolving societal needs. Key themes included the growing importance of micro-credentials, stackable qualifications, professional certification programs, industry-aligned curricula, and lifelong learning pathways beyond traditional degree programs. The session reinforced AIUB’s commitment to innovation in teaching and learning and highlighted opportunities to further expand continuing education, professional development, and skills-based learning initiatives for diverse learner communities.

Participation in these sessions enabled the AIUB delegation to gain valuable insights into emerging trends and global best practices that can further strengthen the university’s contributions to sustainable development, institutional excellence, and international engagement.

Other AIUB representatives attending the congress included Mr. Ishtiaque Abedin, Founder Member, Board of Trustees, and Ms. Shania Abedin, Member, Board of Trustees.