3-Day Int’l Conference Opens /Academics for education reforms integrating technology and values
International academics and educational experts on Saturday (17 October) called for sweeping reforms in education system to prepare skilled human resources equipped with science, artificial intelligence (AI), and moral values to address emerging global challenges.
The academics came up with the remarks while addressing at the inauguration of a three-day international conference titled ‘International Conference on Knowledge Integration and Educational Leadership (ICKIEL-2026)’ at the Professor Dr. MH Khan Auditorium of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Dhaka on Saturday morning.
AUST, University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT) has organized conference jointly.
USIM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato Ts. Dr. Sharifudin bin Md Shaarani spoke at the event as chief guest.
He said Bangladesh is one of the most resource-rich countries in the Muslim world in terms of human potential.
“To transform this population into true human capital, an integrated education blending science, advanced technology, and moral values must be imparted,” Professor Dato Dr. Sharifudin said.
The Malaysian academic emphasized that producing graduates skilled in AI alongside foundational knowledge is key to building a balanced workforce.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam and Bangladesh Accreditation Council Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain Khan attended the opening session as special guests.
Professor Dr. Omar Hasan K. Kasule Sr., Chief Executive of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), USA, and a Harvard scholar, delivered the keynote paper on ‘Knowledge Integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.’
Former IUT and AUST Vice-Chancellor and Distinguished Fellow of BIIT, Professor Dr. Muhammad Fazli Ilahi, presided over the opening session. AUST Extension Services Center Director Professor Dr. Mohammad Sarwar Morshed delivered the welcome address, while BIIT Director General Professor Abdul Aziz presented the opening remarks.
Co-organizers and strategic partners—including AUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Azadi, and USIM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Nik Salida Suhaila binti Nik Saleh—also spoke at the event.
Speakers underscored that amidst the rapid strides of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI, and cybersecurity globally, Bangladesh must overcome historical setbacks by fostering practical, future-oriented education, innovative research, and dynamic educational leadership.
Organizers informed that researchers, scholars, policymakers, and university vice-chancellors from at least 15 countries-including Bangladesh, the USA, the UK, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan—are participating in the conference. Around 100 research papers will be presented, alongside deliberations on global education models such as Malaysia's 'Integrated Education,' Turkey's 'Maarifi Model,' and Indonesia's 'Merdeka Curriculum.'
Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan, MP, is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest on Monday (October 19), the organizing sources said.