As part of the British Council–funded Transnational Education (TNE) Exploratory Grant project for “Developing an International Professional Certification Program for Digital Manufacturing at AIUB”, a structured series of academic, capacity-building, institutional, and dissemination activities were conducted jointly by American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) and Birmingham City University (BCU), UK during 15–21 December 2025. These activities collectively contributed to project deliverables related to curriculum development, skills capacity building, international collaboration, and sustainability planning in Digital Manufacturing education.

Day 1: Monday, 15 December 2025 – Project Initiation and Strategic Planning

The project activities commenced with the arrival of the BCU delegation comprising Prof. Dr. Javaid Butt (Professor of Manufacturing and Product Design), Dr. Muhammad Adnan (Lecturer in Project Management), and Dr. Md. Ashikul Alam Khan (Program Director, MSc).

The delegation was formally received by Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, AIUB; Prof. Dr. Md. Saniat Rahman Zishan, Director, Faculty of Engineering, AIUB; Dr. Chowdhury Akram Hossain, Associate Professor and Head (CoE), AIUB; and Mr. Mahamudul Hassan, Assistant Professor, Department of IPE, AIUB.

An introductory and planning meeting was held to finalize operational aspects of the Capacity-Building Training on Digital Manufacturing, including participant engagement, assessment and examination strategy, session sequencing, logistics, and resource coordination. This meeting ensured alignment on project goals, quality assurance mechanisms, and delivery timelines. The day concluded with a networking dinner in Gulshan to strengthen institutional collaboration.

Day 2: Tuesday, 16 December 2025 – Cultural Orientation and Contextual Engagement

On the occasion of Victory Day of Bangladesh, the BCU delegates participated in a structured educational and cultural orientation program in Dhaka under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Zishan and Dr. Akram.

The program included visits to Aarong, the University of Dhaka, the National Parliament House, and the Honorable Chief Advisor’s Office, followed by an experience of traditional Bangladeshi cuisine. This activity enhanced cross-cultural understanding and contextual awareness, supporting effective transnational academic collaboration.

Day 3: Wednesday, 17 December 2025 – Inter-Institutional Research Collaboration

A joint AIUB–BCU delegation comprising Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Dr. Akram, Prof. Dr. Javaid, Dr. Adnan, and Dr. Ashikul visited the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), Jahangirnagar University (JU).

The delegation engaged with IIT faculty members including Prof.  Dr. Risala Tasin Khan, Prof. Dr. M. Shamim Kaiser, Prof. Dr. Shamim Al Mamun, Prof. Dr. Md. Sazzadur Rahman, Dr. Rashed Mazumder, Md. Mahmudur Rahman, and Ms. Mehrin Anannya. Discussions focused on collaborative research opportunities, particularly in Digital Twins, faculty and student exchange, shared infrastructure, and a proposed triangular partnership among AIUB, JU, and BCU to support long-term innovation.

Day 4: Friday, 19 December 2025 – Core Project Deliverable: Capacity-Building Training on Digital Manufacturing

A full-day capacity-building training on “Digital Manufacturing” was successfully organized by AIUB in collaboration with BCU, UK, representing the primary academic deliverable of the TNE Exploratory Grant project.

The program was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Zishan, Director, Faculty of Engineering, AIUB, followed by an opening address from Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, AIUB, who emphasized the role of the training in addressing national and global skills gaps in advanced manufacturing.

The training was delivered through five structured modules:

• Modules 1–3 were conducted by Prof. Dr. Javaid Butt, covering

Evolution from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 and insights into Industry 6.0

Design and Manufacturing concepts including DfX, Topology Optimization, Virtual Prototyping, and Circular Manufacturing

Simulation and Digital Twins and their industrial significance

• Module 4, led by Dr. Muhammad Adnan, focused on Data, AI & Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, including Big Data Analytics, AI applications, AGI/ASI concepts, and risk management frameworks.
• Module 5, presented by Dr. Md. Ashikul Alam Khan, addressed Robotics, Automation & Smart Manufacturing, highlighting Cobots and AMR/AGV technologies.

The session concluded with a synthesis of key learnings by Prof. Dr. Javaid Butt, followed by a formal assessment examination.

The closing ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice-Chancellor, AIUB; Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, AIUB; Prof. Dr. ABM Siddique Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, AIUB and Prof. Dr. S.A.M. Manzur H. Khan, Proctor, AIUB. Participation certificates were awarded to all attendees, and training completion certificates were issued to successful examinees. Tokens of appreciation were presented to the BCU delegates, followed by a group photograph and gala dinner.

A total of 185 participants successfully passed the 'Knowledge in Digital Manufacturing' certification exam, with approximately 42% female participation, demonstrating the project's strong commitment to inclusive capacity building in advanced manufacturing.

Day 5: Saturday, 20 December 2025 – Academic Dissemination at IEOM Conference

Project partners participated in the 8th IEOM Bangladesh International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management at World University of Bangladesh (WUB).

Prof. Dr. Javaid Butt, Dr. Muhammad Adnan, Dr. Md. Ashikul Alam Khan, and Dr. Md. Ehasanul Haque (Associate Professor and Head, IPE, AIUB) served as Keynote speakers, contributing to academic rigor and international visibility of the project.

Day 6: Sunday, 21 December 2025 – Continued Conference Engagement and Closure

On the second day of the IEOM Conference, the same delegation continued their roles as keynote speakers in keynote sessions and also disseminated the project activities The activities concluded with a closing dinner in Gulshan, Dhaka, consolidating collaborative relationships.

Collectively, these engagements laid a robust foundation for the sustainable development and future scaling of Digital Manufacturing education at AIUB through transnational collaboration.