|| Special Correspondent: Dhaka University (DU) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding academic and research collaboration, with a particular focus on climate change, labour rights, democratic values and capacity building.The commitment came on Wednesday when Dr. Felix Gerdes, Resident Representative of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam at the Vice-Chancellor's office. He was accompanied by FES Program Advisor Shadhan Kumar Das.During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen academic ties between Dhaka University and universities in Germany through collaborative research and educational initiatives. They explored opportunities for launching joint programmes in key areas, including climate change, labour rights, democratic governance and institutional capacity building.The discussions also highlighted the importance of generating new knowledge through research, publications and dialogue, with the aim of equipping young people to contribute to a knowledge-based and progressive society.Dr. Gerdes expressed FES Bangladesh's interest in working closely with Dhaka University on joint research projects and scholarly publications to help promote democratic values and informed public discourse.Welcoming the initiative, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam thanked the FES delegation for visiting the university and appreciated the organization's interest in strengthening academic and research cooperation with Dhaka University.The meeting reflects a growing interest in expanding international academic partnerships, with both sides expressing optimism that closer collaboration will create new opportunities for research, innovation and knowledge exchange between Bangladesh and Germany.