A two-member delegation from Japan held a productive meeting with Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam at his campus office on Monday, aiming to forge stronger ties through joint environmental initiatives and mutual academic cooperation.
The delegation was led by Jumpei Taniguchi, Deputy Director of the International Volunteer University Student Association, which is recognized as the largest student volunteer organization in Japan. He was accompanied by Koyo Tokuriki, a student representative from Ritsumeikan University. From the university’s side, the meeting was also attended by Professor Mohammad Absar Kamal, Acting Director of DU’s Institute of Modern Languages, and Dr. Md. Monir Uddin.
The ‘Clean Dhaka Campaign’
The centerpiece of the discussion was the upcoming “Clean Dhaka Campaign.” The Japanese representatives expressed their firm intent to organize and conduct this environmental drive from February 1 to February 8, 2027.
The initiative will feature the active participation of 30 students traveling from various universities across Japan. The delegates emphasized their desire to work hand-in-hand with the teachers and students of Dhaka University to foster widespread environmental awareness among the general public in the capital.
Expanding Academic Horizons
Beyond environmental activism, the meeting explored broader avenues for institutional collaboration. Both sides discussed the potential for undertaking joint educational and research programs between Dhaka University and several Japanese institutions. The conversation also touched upon the possibility of co-hosting seminars, symposia, and cultural exchange events to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam expressed his sincere gratitude to the Japanese delegation for visiting the campus and showing such keen interest in societal betterment. Welcoming the initiative, the VC assured the delegates that Dhaka University would provide full institutional support and cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the ‘Clean Dhaka Campaign’ next year.
