DU Correspondent

The inauguration ceremony of an international research project titled “Haor Flood Early Warning System Development Project” funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) was held today, Monday
at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room of Dhaka University. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam inaugurated the research project as the chief guest.

A four-member research team from Japan led by Professor Dr. Toru Terao of Kagawa University was present at the event. The other members of the team are Professor Dr. Taichi Hayashi of Kyoto University, Professor Dr. Kiguchi Masashi of the University of Tokyo, and Project Assistant Professor Dr. Md. Rejoanul Islam Fahim of the University of Tokyo.

Dr. Fatima Akhter, Associate Professor of Meteorology, Department of Meteorology, University of Dhaka, is jointly leading the project as the Principal Investigator on behalf of Bangladesh and Dr. Toru Terao, Professor, Kagawa University, on behalf of Japan. Their joint leadership reflects the strong academic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and the shared commitment to developing practical and sustainable solutions to address Bangladesh's flood-related challenges.

The project will also create an important platform for young researchers and students to engage in advanced research and collaborate with experts from Bangladesh and Japan. Through this international collaboration, the project is expected to strengthen long-term research capabilities and create opportunities for knowledge and technology exchange.

The project was proposed by the academic community with a strong commitment to addressing national priorities through scientific research. Although it is research-driven, its expected impact extends far beyond the academic world. Its primary objective is to generate scientific knowledge and translate it into practical and effective tools to strengthen Bangladesh's flood early warning system and reduce the impact of floods on people, agriculture, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The project brings together a strong multidisciplinary and multi-institutional partnership. Participating institutions from Bangladesh include Dhaka University, BUET, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Disaster Management Department (DDM), SPARSO, Survey of Bangladesh (SOB) and Institute of Water Modelling (IWM). The Japanese partnership includes Kagawa University, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University and Kochi University.