The American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) inaugurated the International Conference on Challenges and Trends in Arts and Social Sciences (ICCTASS 2025) on 11 December 2025, with Her Excellency Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Bangladesh, gracing the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest and delivering a keynote address that set the intellectual tone of the conference.

In her speech, Ambassador Cainglet emphasized the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global challenges, particularly in the areas of sustainability, ethical responsibility, and creative innovation. She underscored the vital role that arts and social sciences play in shaping inclusive societies, informed policymaking, and cross-cultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world. Highlighting the need for ethical frameworks alongside technological and social advancements, she called on academics and researchers to engage critically with contemporary global issues through research, dialogue, and cooperation.

Ambassador Cainglet also commended AIUB for organizing a conference of international stature and for fostering academic platforms that encourage regional and global partnerships. She noted that such initiatives strengthen people-to-people ties and contribute to sustainable development beyond national boundaries.

The inaugural session was further honored by the presence of Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor of AIUB, and Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Member of the Board of Trustees and Patron of the Conference, as Special Guests. The session included welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Md. Asif Kamal, Organizing Chair of ICCTASS 2025, and goodwill messages from Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, General Chair of the Conference and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, who expressed optimism about the conference’s scholarly impact.

Held under the theme “Sustainability, Creativity and Ethics: Insights into Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Practices,” ICCTASS 2025 brought together academics, researchers, and professionals from around the world for two days of rigorous intellectual exchange.

The conference featured keynote sessions by internationally renowned scholars and extensive paper presentation panels, reinforcing the central ideas highlighted in Ambassador Cainglet’s address—particularly the need for ethical and sustainable approaches to socio-cultural, educational, and technological transformations.

ICCTASS 2025 concluded on 12 December 2025, reaffirming AIUB’s commitment to promoting global academic dialogue and interdisciplinary research. The inspiring address delivered by Her Excellency Nina P. Cainglet remained a defining highlight of the conference, resonating strongly with participants and setting a forward-looking vision for scholarship in arts and social sciences.