NSU awards honorary professorship to former Norwegian minister Erik Solheim

North South University (NSU) has awarded an honorary professorship to Erik Solheim, former Norwegian minister of environment and international development, at a seminar on climate and green transformation in Dhaka.

The seminar, titled How Asia is leading the green transformation and how Bangladesh can benefit, was organised by NSU’s Center for Climate Change and Disaster Resilience on Sunday, 08 February 2026, at the university’s Syndicate Hall.

Solheim, who is also the president of the Belt and Road Green Development Initiative, said Bangladesh had strong potential for sustainable growth. “There are immense opportunities for Bangladesh to invest in solar energy, electric vehicles, recycled-based products, and land protection,” he said. He added that these areas offered significant prospects for the government, civil society and businesses to position the country as a leading nation in the coming decades.

The session was chaired by NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury. Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Nasar Uddin Ahmed and Alex Wang, secretary general of the China–Bangladesh Partnership Forum, were also present. The seminar was moderated by Professor Md. Jakariya, director of the Center for Climate Change and Disaster Resilience.

Professor Nasar Uddin Ahmed highlighted the gap between policy and implementation in environmental protection. “The challenge is not a lack of solutions, but rather a lack of commitment, as business influence can shape political decisions,” he said.

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury said rapid industrialisation had created serious environmental challenges. “In the name of industrialisation, we have harmed our natural environment and polluted many of our rivers with industrial waste,” he said, adding that large-scale and sustainable initiatives were needed to address the problem.

The seminar brought together academics, researchers and students for discussion on Asia’s role in green transformation and how Bangladesh can advance its sustainable development goals.