Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka

16/09/2026

Admission Open: MSS (Regular) in Development Studies

12/09/2026

Dear Researchers, Finding the right journal for your paper shouldn't be the hardest part of research!

“Journal Hunt” is a UK-based platform to streamline the process. A single search with your keywords and abstract now aggregates journals across major publishers to show you the best fits for your potential paper!

Try the platform at www.journalhunt.org

30/08/2026

Last 2 days to apply for the Professional Master of Development Studies (MDS) program! Apply online today [Link in the comment box].

28/08/2026

PhD Proposal Presentation Seminar

Dear Colleagues, fellows and stdents

We are pleased to announce the 2nd round of PhD Proposal Presentation Seminar for the recently enrolled PhD Fellows. The seminar is designed to provide a rigorous academic platform for presenting and discussing doctoral research proposals and receiving constructive feedback from faculty members, supervisors, researchers, and fellow scholars. There will be two presentations tomorrow:

Presentation 1: Including the Excluded: Examining Bangladesh's Social Protection Systems in the Context of Urban Middle-Class Aspirations by Mohammad Khaled Hasan, PhD Fellow

Presentation 2: Artificial Intelligence, Technological Innovation, and Climate Resilient Agriculture in Rural Bangladesh: An Anthropological Study by Md. Mahbubur Rahman, PhD Fellow

In this seminar, PhD Fellows are expected to present their complete research proposals, including the research problem, objectives, literature review, theoretical and analytical framework, methodology, detailed data collection plan, and an overall timeline for the completion of the doctoral thesis.

The seminar will be open to all interested PhD Fellows, faculty members, researchers, and graduate students.
Date: 29 August 2026, Saturday
Time: 02:00 PM – 04:30 PM
Venue: Conference room of the Department of Development Studies, Level 5, Social Science Faculty Building, University of Dhaka
The seminar will be presided over by Professor Dr. Nayeem Sultana, Chair, Department of Development Studies.

27/08/2026

Learning beyond the classroom!

Students of the BSS 16th Batch, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, visited the Padma Bridge Resettlement Project, Mawa, Munshiganj, on 21 August 2026 as part of courses DS305: NGOs and Development Management and DS308: Area Studies: Comparative Development Experiences.

The field visit provided an opportunity to examine resettlement, community rehabilitation, livelihood transitions, and the role of NGOs in large-scale development projects through direct observation, field data collection, and engagement with practitioners.

22/08/2026

Today, the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka hosted the RISK-E-SCAPE Simulation Drill and Tabletop Exercise on Flood Community Risk Assessment, organised under the EU-funded RISK-E-SCAPE Erasmus+ project.

The exercise brought together a diverse group of professionals and stakeholders, including doctors, the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence, disaster management authorities, media professionals, international development practitioners, an architect, NGO representatives, academics, students, and community leaders.

Working through a high-realism flood scenario, participants mapped community risks, assessed disaster health needs and response priorities, and developed a community action plan under real-time pressure.

The day concluded with a live water rescue demonstration by professional divers from the Fire Service & Civil Defence, offering a powerful reminder of the skills, preparedness, and coordination required for effective emergency response.

Our sincere thanks to all participants, professionals, and frontline responders who contributed to making the exercise meaningful and impactful.

14/08/2026

The organizers are happy to inform you that the “12th INSEARCH-2026: International Integrative Research Conference on Governance in Society, Business and Environment” will be held on 18-19 December 2026 at BARD, Cumilla, Bangladesh. The main theme of the conference is “Governance for Planetary Peace and Wellbeing in a Globalized World”. The conference is jointly organized by Netinsearch International, Department of Public Administration of Stamford University Bangladesh, the Centre for Administrative Research and Innovation (CARI) at the University of Dhaka, GAIN International, Australia; Asian Conference on Population and Development (ACPD), China, and the EquJust of Tampere University, Finland, which is hosted by the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD).
The last date for abstract submission is 30 September 2026. The conference will be conducted both online and In-person simultaneously. Only overseas participants have the scope for online participation. The Call for Paper is enclosed herewith. Please visit the conference website for details: http://www.netinsearch.com

We request your active participation through scholarly contributions to the conference. Please feel free to communicate with us if you have any queries.

**To submit your Abstract Please login to the conference portal, after creating/registering your account at Conference Register. Please note that only 1 submission is allowed from each group and the corresponding author is responsible for creating/registering account and handling all correspondence on behalf of the group. Please contact us if you experience any difficulties during the Abstract Submission process and kindly convey the message to the concerned faculties.
Best Regards
Md. Shadikur Rahaman
Conference Secretariat,
12th INSEARCH 2026: International Integrative Research Conference on Governance in Society, Business and Environment

24/2 Eskaton Garden, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Coordinating Offices: Room-305, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddheswari Road, Dhaka-1217 and 304 Lecture Theatre Building, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh 88001576911150 [email protected]

02/08/2026

📢 MDS Application Deadline Extended!

Professional Master of Development Studies (MDS)
Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
28th Batch | July 2026 Intake

Good news! The application deadline has been extended to 31 August 2026.

📅 Extended Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
📝 Admission Test: 5 September 2026
🎓 Classes Begin: 18 September 2026

Advance your career with one of Bangladesh's leading professional postgraduate programs in development studies.

Check the first comment for the links of Online Application and program details.

Don't miss this final opportunity to join the MDS 28th Batch!

14/07/2026

The Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka is pleased to invite you to a special lecture on:
"Situating Climate Activism in North–South Relations: Comparing Youth Climate Activism in Bangladesh, Uganda and Austria"

The lecture is part of an international collaborative research project and will explore how youth climate activism is shaped by North–South power relations, the politics of knowledge production, and global climate governance.

The keynote will e delivered by Prof. Petra Dannecker, Professor of Development Sociology & Vice-Dean, Faculty of Social, Sciences, University of Vienna, Austria. PD Dr. Antje Daniel, Senior Scientist in Sociology, University of Vienna, Austria will also share her insights. Prof. Ainoon Naher, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University will be there as the discussant.

📅 Date: Thursday, 16 July 2026
🕥 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Venue: Seminar Room, Department of Development Studies, Level 6, Social Science Faculty Building, University of Dhaka

The event is open to all. Faculty members, researchers, students, and everyone interested in climate change, development, youth politics, and environmental justice are warmly invited to attend.

18/05/2026

🎓 Admissions Open | Professional Master of Development Studies (MDS)
🏛️ Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
📘 28th Batch | July 2026 Intake

Bangladesh stands at a critical moment of transformation — from climate resilience and governance reform to inclusive growth and sustainable development. The next generation of development leaders must be prepared to lead with knowledge, evidence, and vision.

The MDS program at the University of Dhaka offers rigorous academic training, policy insight, and professional advancement for ambitious graduates and working professionals seeking careers in development, public policy, research, NGOs, UN agencies, and sustainability leadership.

📅 Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
📅 Admission Test: 8 August 2026
📅 Classes Begin: 28 August 2026

Why choose MDS at DU?

📌 Prestigious University of Dhaka postgraduate degree
📌 Distinguished faculty and development practitioners
📌 Weekend-compatible classes for working professionals
📌 Flexible installment-based tuition payment system
📌 Strong alumni and professional networks
📌 Focus on real-world development challenges affecting Bangladesh and the Global South
📌 Specializations in development economics, public policy, social development, natural resource management, and development management

🎯 Apply Online: https://forms.gle/BRGsptUoy9TkkfoX7
🌐 Program Details: http://www.du.ac.bd/programDetails/DVS/400
📧 Email: [email protected]

Apply now and join the next generation of development leaders.

The 18-month Master of Development Studies program comprises 64 credits and is structured into 3 semesters. Each semester spans 20 weeks, organized as follows: 16 weeks of classroom instruction, 1 week of preparatory break, and 3 weeks for final examinations.