Stamford University Bangladesh

Stamford University Bangladesh has reaffirmed its growing role in global higher education collaboration through its leadership in the Work Package 2 (WP2): Faculty Capacity Building and Strategic Development under the RESHAPE Project (Regenerating Socio-Cultural Sustainability and Planetary Wellbeing in Higher Education)—an international initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme.

An information session marking the formal launch of WP2 activities, a core component of the international RESHAPE project, was held today (April 11, 2026), bringing together senior academic leaders, project stakeholders, and faculty representatives. The session highlighted Stamford’s role as a co-lead institution among eight partner institutions across four countries, underscoring its strategic contribution to global academic development and innovation, and overseeing one of the project's six critical developmental pillars. Today’s session focused on mobilizing faculty through innovative "Peer Groups" designed to modernize pedagogical, digital, and research competencies.

The session commenced with opening remarks by Professor Dr. Aka Firowz Ahmad, Chief of the RESHAPE project at Stamford University Bangladesh and Academic Advisor to the Department of Public Administration. He provided a comprehensive overview of the RESHAPE initiative, emphasizing that the integration of higher education institutions and community partnership, a component of this project which was a direct result of strategic input from Stamford University Bangladesh. He reiterated that the RESHAPE programme seeks to develop a modular, replicable faculty development framework, including digital learning resources, peer-learning mechanisms, and international staff exchanges to enhance pedagogical, digital, and research capacities across participating institutions.

He further noted that the project aims to advance socio-cultural sustainability and planetary wellbeing through structured academic collaboration. "Our involvement as co-leads for Work Package 2 underscores Stamford’s commitment to academic leadership on the global stage," said Professor Ahmad. "By integrating socio-cultural sustainability into the heart of higher education, we are not just teaching - we are transforming how institutions interact with society and the planet."

A key segment of the session, delivered by Mr. Tanvir Alam, Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, focused on the importance of peer group-based learning within RESHAPE project. He detailed the "Peer Group" framework, a unique aspect of WP2. This model emphasizes a four-fold benefit for participants:

Enhancement of competencies and digital tools
Improvement of institutional practices
Expansion of professional networks
Certification under the Erasmus+ framework

The programme adopts a structured learning approach, integrating practical tasks, feedback mechanisms, and collaborative engagement across institutional and national boundaries. This distinguishes it from conventional online training by fostering sustained academic interaction and knowledge exchange.

The moderator, Md. Shadikur Rahaman, presented the schedule for the first formal international online program, slated for April 15, 2026. This upcoming session will feature experts from the University of Gävle (Sweden) and Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland), focusing on "Planetary Wellbeing" and "The Role of Teachers in the Digital Era."

The programme will address key themes including:

Faculty development in higher education
Digital and inclusive pedagogy
Socio-cultural sustainability
Planetary wellbeing and interdisciplinary learning

The event concluded with remarks by the chairperson of the program, Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, who emphasized the transformative potential of academic leadership in global collaborations. He extended his gratitude to the Department of Public Administration for its pivotal role in managing the RESHAPE project, noting that this partnership offers an unparalleled opportunity for faculty to engage in high-level international research and development.

The event was attended by senior university leadership, including Mohammad Abdul Matin (Registrar), Dr. Mrityunjoy Acharjee (Proctor) and Senior Expert/Advisor of the project Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal (Pro-VC, Comilla University) as well as 25 faculty members from 13 departments of Stamford University Bangladesh.

About Stamford University Bangladesh

Stamford University Bangladesh is a leading private university dedicated to providing quality education that meets global standards. With a strong focus on research, ICT for development, and public governance, the university continues to foster international collaborations that empower the next generation of leaders.

About the RESHAPE Project

RESHAPE (Project No. 101234826) is an Erasmus+ funded initiative aimed at regenerating socio-cultural sustainability and planetary wellbeing in higher education. The project brings together a diverse consortium to enhance pedagogical capacities and foster inclusive, learner-centered education.