The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) has announced the launch of the country’s first Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS) Department, a pioneering undergraduate programme designed to equip young people with the skills to address Bangladesh’s escalating climate challenges.
The inaugural cohort will begin classes in Spring 2026, with applications now open.
The ESS department will be housed at ULAB, one of the country’s leading private universities known for its liberal arts approach and strong commitment to sustainability. ULAB is ranked eighth in Bangladesh in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 for its contributions to quality education, gender equality and sustainable cities, and is the only Bangladeshi university listed among the WURI Top 60 innovative universities.
The department will offer a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Sustainability that integrates ecology, climate science, policy and liberal arts. Students will receive hands-on training in research methods, GIS mapping, law, ethics and communication, and develop competencies in scientific and technical problem-solving, policy advocacy and leadership. Facilities include ULAB’s Centre for Sustainable Development (established in 2006), a student-led Sustainability Club, an Environment Lab for water, soil and air testing, and a GIS lab for disaster and resource mapping. All faculty members hold degrees from leading international universities; 90% have industry experience and 40% hold PhDs.
Classes will be held on ULAB’s green campus in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, equipped with modern classrooms, a dedicated IoT lab and extensive library and study spaces.
Enrolment will open on 4 December, 2025 for the first cohort starting in Spring 2026. Scholarships include a 20% tuition waiver for the first batch and full scholarships for two outstanding candidates.
Against a backdrop of rising sea levels, cyclones and flooding, ULAB aims to develop a new generation of scientific and policy leaders. With growing youth climate activism, the ESS programme seeks to channel that momentum into rigorous training and evidence-based solutions.
The four-year programme combines coursework with fieldwork, research, internships and global collaboration. Students will study environmental law, the Paris Climate Accord and the SDGs, and work with government agencies and NGOs through ULAB’s Centre for Sustainable Development. Partnerships with institutions in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Canada will support exchanges and joint research.
“Bangladesh’s climate challenges are profound, but so is the potential of our youth,” said Jude William Genilo, pro vice-chancellor of ULAB. “The Environmental Studies and Sustainability programme is for those who want to fight climate change, protect nature and build a greener future for all.”
Professor Mahmood Hossain, PhD, head of the Environmental Studies and Sustainability Department, said, “We are dedicated to inspiring leadership, critical thinking and a lifelong commitment to advancing environmental, social and economic sustainability. Our graduates will be equipped not only to understand problems but to design and implement solutions for communities and ecosystems.”