Staff Correspondent 

 Renowned national and international academics and experts called for comprehensive reforms in Bangladesh's education system to address global challenges and secure national progress.

Speaking on the opening day of a three-day international conference, scholars emphasized synthesizing science, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable skills with moral values to build a competent workforce in an era of rapid technological advancement.

The observations were made on Saturday morning during the inauguration of the "International Conference on Knowledge Integration and Educational Leadership (ICKIEL-2026)" at the Professor Dr. M. H. Khan Auditorium of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in the capital.

The event is jointly organized by AUST, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT).

Addressing the ceremony as chief guest, USIM Vice Chancellor Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Sharifudin bin Md Shaarani remarked that Bangladesh possesses vast human resource potential within the Muslim world. However, he noted that transforming this population into valuable assets requires integrating science, advanced technology, and ethical values into education, alongside fostering expertise in AI and modern technologies.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam and Bangladesh Accreditation Council Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain addressed the inauguration as special guests.

Professor Dr. Omar Hasan K. Kasule Sr., Chief Executive of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in the United States and Harvard researcher, delivered the keynote address online on "Knowledge Integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

Chaired by former IUT and AUST Vice Chancellor and BIIT Distinguished Fellow Professor Dr. Muhammad Fazli Ilahi, the event commenced with a welcome address by Director of AUST Extension Services Center Professor Dr. Mohammad Sarwar Morshed and opening remarks by BIIT Director General Professor Abdul Aziz.

Co-organizers and strategic partners including AUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Azadi, and USIM Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Nik Salida Suhaila binti Nik Saleh also spoke during the session.

The speakers noted that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI, and cybersecurity, Bangladesh must overcome historical setbacks since its 1971 independence by expanding practical education, producing original research, and fostering strong educational leadership.

According to the organizers, researchers, policymakers, and vice chancellors from at least 15 countries—including Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Türkiye, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan—are participating in the conference. Around 100 research papers will be presented alongside discussions on global educational frameworks such as Malaysia's "Integrated Education," Türkiye's "Maarif Model," and Indonesia's "Merdeka Curriculum."

Following the opening session, several academic tracks focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), education policy reform, food innovation, and epistemology were conducted. The conference will continue through October 19.

Education Minister Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan, MP, is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony as chief guest on Monday, October 19.