The inauguration ceremony of an international research project titled “The Project for the Development of a Flood Early Warning System for Haors” was held on Monday at the vice-chancellor’s meeting room in Dhaka University.
Funded jointly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the initiative aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s flood forecasting mechanisms and protect vulnerable communities, agriculture, livelihoods, and infrastructure from devastating flash floods in the haor basin.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam inaugurated the research project as the chief guest. A four-member delegate team from Japan attended the ceremony, led by Prof Toru Terao of Kagawa University.
The team also included Prof Taiichi Hayashi of Kyoto University, Prof Kiguchi Masashi of the University of Tokyo, and Project Assistant Prof Md Rezuanul Islam Fahim of the University of Tokyo.
Read More
Experts demand regulating packaged food labeling
Experts demand regulating packaged food labeling
The project is jointly led by Prof Fatima Akter of Dhaka University, serving as the principal investigator for Bangladesh, alongside Prof Toru Terao, principal investigator for Japan. Their collaborative leadership underlines a robust academic partnership between the two nations and demonstrates a joint commitment to delivering practical, sustainable solutions to Bangladesh’s critical flood management challenges.
Originating as an academic proposal aimed at addressing national priorities through high-level scientific research, the project’s scope extends far beyond the academic sphere. Its chief goal is to generate cutting-edge scientific knowledge and translate it into operational, real-world tools that enhance national flood early warning systems- particularly in the flash-flood-prone haor region, where rapid water rises frequently cause severe disruption and damage.
Beyond immediate operational benefits, the initiative provides a vital platform for young researchers and students to engage in advanced scientific enquiry alongside experts from both countries. Through this international collaboration, the project is expected to build long-term research capability and foster continuous knowledge and technology exchange between Bangladesh and Japan.
The venture unites a broad multidisciplinary and multi-institutional alliance. Participating Bangladeshi institutions comprise the University of Dhaka, BUET, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), SPARRSO, the Survey of Bangladesh (SoB), and the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM).
The Japanese academic partner institutions include Kagawa University, the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Kochi University.
