BRAC University and Swisscontact have signed an agreement to develop a certificate programme on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). This programme will be tailored for Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. The initiative is part of Swisscontact’s Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector through Skills (PROGRESS) project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland.

This certificate programme on ESG will equip participants with knowledge on ESG frameworks, reporting, measurement, financing, and industry case studies. The programme aims to address the urgent need for organisations to embed ESG practices as a core business strategy to achieve sustainable growth and meet stakeholder expectations.

Starting with the certificate programme in 2026, progressing to a postgraduate diploma by 2027, and ultimately introducing undergraduate and graduate majors by 2029, this initiative intends to embed ESG principles in higher education and industry practice. The collaboration advances multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ikramul H Sohel, Senior Programme Officer – Inclusive Economic Development at the Embassy of Sweden, remarked that the partnership advances Sweden’s priorities on sustainability, gender equity, and green growth, and will strengthen ESG integration within higher education. BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar emphasised that the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to advancing sustainability alongside economic and social well-being, integrating global ESG standards with local industry realities. He added that BRAC University has been exploring ESG for quite some time and has engaged with international partners, including universities in the United Kingdom that offer similar courses. Helal Hussain, Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh, highlighted the initiative as a significant step towards addressing systemic challenges in the sector, including curricular gaps and gendered barriers in the ESG talent pipeline. Farzana Amin, Team Leader of the PROGRESS project, added that Swisscontact is supporting RMG factories in Bangladesh in their green transition, where collaboration with academia can play a pivotal role in building a pool of qualified sustainability professionals.

Dr David Dowland, Registrar; Professor Wasiqur Rahman Khan, Chairperson of the ESS department; Professor Syed A Mamun and Professor Shahidur Rahman from the ESS department; and Kharul Basher, Director of the Office of Communications, attended the signing ceremony.

Ikramul H Sohel, Helal Hussain, and Farzana Amin, along with Coordinator Sayedul Arefin and Senior Officers Nowshin Anjum and Syeda Suhaymah Ahmed from the project, were also present.