Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) is proud to be one of the sponsors of this important event that spreads the message of health, harmony, friendship and a positive lifestyle.
Dedicated to the 23rd newly elected President of Bangladesh, His Excellency Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Abul Hossain Sarkar Degree College premises and surrounding areas came alive with runners from different parts of the country from the early hours of Friday (August 28).
At the end of the competition, ESDO Founder and Executive Director Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman Sir presented the prizes to the winners. Local dignitaries and concerned guests were present at the time.
ESDO is always committed to supporting such initiatives on the path of human well-being, social harmony and positive change.

ESDO is pleased to participate in the Co-Creation Workshop of Nagorikata – Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), an important step toward turning shared ideas into meaningful action. Through the NAGORIKATA Project, ESDO, together with 11 partner organizations, will work across Bangladesh to strengthen youth engagement, skills development, TVET, employability, livelihood pathways, and sustained civic participation. Together, we are co-creating pathways where young people are not only beneficiaries, but active partners and leaders in shaping their future.

The first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of FINISH Mondial Foundation, a non-government development organisation, was held on 22 August, at the conference room of Club 89 Limited, Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting was presided by Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Chairman of the Executive Committee of FINISH Mondial Foundation and Executive Director of Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO).
The AGM was also attended by the Executive Director and Secretary General, Wahida Anjoom, along with members of the Executive Committee and General Committee.
With the unanimous consent of the members of the Executive Committee, the meeting presented and approved the organisation’s financial and programme reports for the previous year, the work plan and budget for the upcoming year, and decisions taken by the Executive Committee throughout the year.
The participating members expressed their commitment to contributing effectively, from their respective positions, towards supporting disadvantaged and underserved communities in Bangladesh through the organisation.

It is a moment of immense pride for ESDO!

The Government of Bangladesh, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has selected Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Executive Director of ESDO, as a member of two key committees for COP31:

▪️ COP31 Bangladesh Position Paper Presentation Sub-Committee
▪️ COP31 Bangladesh Technical Coordination Committee

This recognition reflects his expertise and dedication, as well as ESDO’s growing contribution to Bangladesh’s climate action and global climate diplomacy.

The ESDO family extends its heartiest congratulations to Dr. Zaman and wishes him every success in representing Bangladesh and advancing a stronger, more ambitious and climate-resilient future.

The Job EXPO & Advocacy Event 2026, organized under the LIFT Project, was successfully held on 20 August 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC), Dhaka. The event was implemented by Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) with the support of EDUCO and ChorogUsan for Children.
The event brought together distinguished policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders, employers, development partners, and young people, creating a dynamic platform to strengthen skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, career readiness, and meaningful job-linkage opportunities for youth.
We were deeply honored by the gracious presence of our distinguished guests:
Inaugurator & Chief Guest: Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP — Honourable Minister, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Guest of Honor: Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury — Executive Chairman (Secretary), National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Special Guests
* Mohammed Walid Hossain, Additional Secretary — Executive Program Director (EPD), SICIP
* Md. Hasan Khaled — Deputy Managing Director, PKSF
* Benzir Ahmed— Chairman, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC)
* Devabrata Chakraborty (Joint Secretary) — Director Admin, Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE)
* Engr. Md. Ruhul Amin — Chairman, Bangladesh Technical Education Board
* Mahmud Hasan Khan — President, BGMEA
* Md. Shehab Udduza Chowdhury — Vice President, BGMEA
* Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon — Chairman, Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISISC)
* Md. Jahangir Alam — Chief Operating Officer (COO), X Group Chain Restaurant & Hospitality Management
The event was also attended by Abdul Hamid, Country Director, Educo Bangladesh and Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder & Executive Director, ESDO, along with representatives from government institutions, industries, development organizations, and other stakeholders.
Throughout the day, participants actively engaged in a wide range of career-focused activities, including a panel discussion on skills development, employment and entrepreneurship; career counselling; CV writing and interview skills; career guidance; mock interviews; direct interaction with industry representatives; and job-linkage activities.
These engagements provided young job seekers with valuable insights, practical career preparation, networking opportunities, and direct exposure to potential employers—helping bridge the gap between skills, aspirations, and employment opportunities.
ESDO extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to all distinguished guests, partners, government representatives, industry leaders, participating organizations, employers, young job seekers, and everyone whose valuable presence, cooperation, and contribution made the JOB EXPO & ADVOCACY EVENT 2026 a success.
Together, we are empowering young people with the skills, confidence, connections, and opportunities they need to successfully navigate and lead the 21st-century job market.

A New Horizon for Higher Education, Science & Technology, Innovation, and Employment in the Northern Region: The Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) family expresses its deep gratitude to Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman and the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, MP.
Thakurgaon, August 17, 2026: A significant new chapter has been opened in the history of higher education and human resource development in the northern region of Bangladesh. At the initiative of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), the Eco University of Science and Technology to be established in Thakurgaon (EUST) has received government approval. This approval will unlock new possibilities for the youth of the northern region, offering quality higher education, science and technology-based skills, research, innovation, and dignified employment.
The ESDO family and the people of the northern region express their deep gratitude and sincere thanks to the Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Tarique Rahman, for this historic decision. At the same time, ESDO expresses its special gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, MP, for his sincere cooperation, encouragement, and support in realizing the dream of establishing EUST.
“From Education to Skills • From Skills to Innovation • From Innovation to Employment
Not just a university—an investment in the future of the northern region: ESDO believes that the approval of EUST is not just the approval of a new university; it is a significant investment in the dreams, potential, and future of thousands of young men and women in the northern region. Geographical distance or socioeconomic constraints should not be a barrier to higher education for any talented student—with this vision, EUST will be developed as an inclusive, modern, and results-oriented institution of higher learning.
ESDO’s Commitment: High-Quality Education, Science & Technology, and Employment: ESDO is committed to establishing EUST not just as a degree-granting institution, but as a forward-looking university that builds effective bridges between knowledge, skills, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment. The highest priority will be given to quality education, qualified faculty, modern laboratories, digital learning, a research environment, and student support systems.
• Higher education and research in subjects that meet the demands of the future job market, including science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and climate and environmental technologies.
• State-of-the-art education and skills development in emerging technology fields such as Artificial Intelligence, ICT, Data, and Digital Technologies.
• A modern research laboratory, an Innovation Lab, and a culture of problem-solving research and innovation;
• Internships, apprenticeships, career services, job placement, and joint initiatives with the industry through University-Industry Linkage
• Preparing students as entrepreneurs and job creators through an Entrepreneurship and Startup Innovation Hub;
• Expanding inclusive higher education opportunities for meritorious, female, marginalized, and financially disadvantaged students;
• Academic and research collaborations with national and international universities, research institutions, and industries.
“EUST’s success will be measured not by degrees, but by the competent people it produces”:
“We have long cherished the dream of establishing a high-quality science and technology university on the soil of Thakurgaon. Today, that dream has received state approval, and we express our deepest gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Tarique Rahman, and the Honorable Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Our goal is to build a university where a student will not just walk away with a certificate; …will emerge with knowledge, technical skills, humanistic values, innovative thinking, and the ability to succeed in their careers.”
— Dr. Md. Shahiduzzaman, Founder & Executive Director, ESDO
From Thakurgaon to a New Center of Knowledge, Innovation, and Economic Progress:
The establishment of EUST aims to build a strong knowledge and innovation ecosystem in Thakurgaon and the broader northern region. By increasing local opportunities for quality higher education, developing skilled human resources, fostering new research and technological innovation, connecting industry and entrepreneurship, and boosting local employment, the university will have a long-term positive impact on the regional economy. Research based on solutions to the real-world challenges of the northern region in the fields of agricultural and food technology, climate resilience, environment, digital transformation, engineering, health technology, and social innovation will be particularly encouraged.
Gratitude to All: Sincere gratitude is expressed to the Honorable Prime Minister, the Honorable Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission (UGC), relevant government institutions, academics, well-wishers, the people of Thakurgaon, and all members of the ESDO family for their guidance, cooperation, and trust throughout this long journey. ESDO views this approval not just as an achievement, but as a great responsibility towards future generations.
EUST’s Vision: From the North to World-Class Knowledge, Science, Technology, and Innovation
Quality Education • Science & Technology • Research & Innovation • Employability

Our adolescents are the greatest agents of change in society when it comes to sensitive issues like child marriage, drug abuse, dowry practices, and eve-teasing. The Dialogue Centers run under the ESDO SEEDS project are constantly working towards this goal.
To ensure the regular and effective conduct of sessions at the dialogue centers, the center’s animators were given a 5-day basic training at the beginning of this year. Seven months have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, to share field experience, tackle new challenges, and further develop their own skills and abilities, a three-day residential refresher training was organized.
Key aspects of the training:
1) Discussing strategies to make sessions more engaging, clear, and participatory.
2) Open discussion on the successes achieved in their respective clubs over the past 7 months, the obstacles faced, and the strategies used to overcome them.
3) Determining ways to take stricter and more effective measures to prevent child marriage, build a drug-free society, eradicate dowry, and prevent catcalling.
4) The mutual relationships, leadership qualities, and team spirit among the animators have been further strengthened.
At the end of the three-day residential refresher training, the animators became more self-confident and aware. We believe that through these animators, the light of social change and awareness will spread further in their respective areas.
Let the journey of dreams continue, and may social darkness be dispelled.

As a proud Partner Organisation of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, ESDO has been part of its journey towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO, participated in the two-day Residential Colloquium held in Dhaka on 7–8 August 2026. The gathering brought together Core Group Members, Partner Organisations, Supporters and the Secretariat to reflect on the Platform’s 10-year journey, learn from shared experiences and strategise for the future.
ESDO congratulates the Citizen’s Platform on completing a decade of collective action and remains committed to strengthening partnerships and advancing the SDGs in Bangladesh.

The Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) actively participated in the Localization Learning Sharing program of the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) program.
At the event, ESDO’s Executive Director, Dr. Mr. Mohammad Shahid Uz Zaman highlighted the concept and practice of localization that has existed since time immemorial. He called for not imposing any new knowledge dominance or new narratives over the long-standing knowledge, experience, and local capacities of marginalized communities. At the same time, he expressed his sincere gratitude to SDC for developing the Localization Tools.
Of the 12 total projects in the CALL program, ESDO is implementing 5. The projects are—
THRIVE— with HEKS EPER
ACCECSS — with HELVETAS
NSSS— with HELVETAS
REACH — with EdM
ESDO is implementing these projects in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira districts. SDC is co-financing all the projects.
At the event, a memento of appreciation was presented to ESDO on behalf of the CALL PMU. This recognition will further strengthen ESDO’s commitment to working with a focus on climate adaptation, local knowledge, and leadership at the local level. Also participating from ESDO were Md. Mashiur Rahman, Sirajus Saleekin, Golam Faruk, Masukul Haque, Ataur Rahman Ansari, along with two beneficiaries from each of the aforementioned projects.

Today, August 9, 2026, at the National Seminar titled “Local Action, Global Goals: ESDO’s Experience through Professional Social Work Lens,” held by the Department of Social Work at Jamalpur Science and Technology University (JSTU), the esteemed founder and Executive Director of ESDO, Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman, delivered the keynote address.
The seminar was graced by Professor Dr. Golam Rabbani, Vice Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University, as Chief Guest; Professor Dr. Md. Amir Hossain, Vice Chancellor of JSTU, as Chief Patron; and Md. Ali Ullah Chowdhury, Chairman of the Department of Social Work at JSTU, as Session Chair.
In the keynote paper, Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman highlighted ESDO’s experience, successes, and future prospects in achieving the SDGs through local initiatives, community leadership, and professional social work.
During the event, he was presented with an honorary crest on behalf of the university, and a certificate bearing his signature was distributed among the participants.
“Local action is where global commitments acquire life.”