A day-long seminar titled ‘Air Quality Research and Environmental Policy Discussion’, jointly organized by the Faculty of Science, Dhaka University and the US Embassy in Dhaka, was held on Sunday 12 January 2025 at the conference room of the Faculty of Science. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was the chief guest at the event, and Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University, was present as the guest of honor.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dhaka University, and featured Professor Dr. James J. Schauer, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, as a special guest. Amy Cass, an official at the US Embassy in Dhaka, moderated the event.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, “We are all affected by the impact of air pollution in Dhaka. The current government has taken initiatives to adopt and implement various plans by giving utmost importance to the issue of air pollution. She said, “Tree plantation and greening will soon be done on the dividers of Dhaka’s roads to prevent air pollution. Besides, various activities will be implemented through the formation of a task force and a time-bound action plan.” She stressed the importance of creating public awareness to prevent air pollution, saying, “Everyone has to work from their respective positions in this regard.”
Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha said, the harmful effects of air pollution on the environment, human health and economy are increasing day by day. Due to its impact, people are suffering from various serious diseases. The rate of premature death and infant mortality is increasing. People’s work efficiency and performance are decreasing. She emphasized on creating awareness to prevent air pollution as well as undertaking joint cooperative activities between the government and various institutions.
In the seminar, Professor Dr. Benjamin de Foy of Saint Louis University, USA, Associate Professor Jilliam Baumgartner and Martha Lee of McGill University, Canada, Dean of the Faculty of Science of Stamford University, Dr. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, Professor of BRAC University, Dr. Zahidul Qayyum, Lecturer of the Department of Chemistry of Dhaka University, Shahid Uz-Zaman, Lecturer of the Department of Chemistry of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and Md. Ziaul Haque, Director of the Air Quality Management Branch of the Department of Environment, presented separate research papers on air quality and air pollution in Dhaka city.
