A two-day Bangladesh Conference 2024 has concluded at the University of Texas at Austin in the United States.
A press release issued on Friday said that the conference was organised by the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies and co-hosted by the South Asia Institute at the university featuring 54 critical papers across 14 panels, exploring diverse social, political, and economic issues related to Bangladesh.
More than 70 scholars from various higher education institutions worldwide participated in the conference.
The conference showcased a broad range of topics from Bangladesh鈥檚 past, present, and future.
Notable sessions delved into historical perspectives and nationalism, including significant events such as the 1971 genocide and the Rohingya crisis.
Discussions on gender, social dynamics, and human rights, such as gender trolling and Muslim inheritance laws, highlighted the intersection of law and societal norms.
The event was inaugurated by Ali Riaz, the president of the AIBS.
He emphasised the importance of scholarly exchanges and network building among researchers in the field.
鈥楾hese discussions deepen our understanding and foster significant academic and cultural exchanges between the United States and Bangladesh,鈥� Riaz remarked during his opening address.
Syed Akbar Hyder, the director of the SAI, highlighted the institute鈥檚 commitment to supporting scholarly work that addressed contemporary issues relevant to South Asia, with a special focus on Bangladesh.
The opening day featured a stimulating plenary session titled 鈥楾he Future Directions of Bangladesh Studies,鈥� with keynotes from Elora Shehabuddin of the University of California, Berkeley, and Syeed Ferdous of Jahangirnagar University.
Dina Siddiqui from New York University provided insightful moderation, guiding the dialogue on evolving academic approaches to studying Bangladesh.
The event concluded with a compelling session on 鈥楤angladesh after 1971鈥�, featuring Naeem Mohaiemen of New York University and Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman of Clark University, offering profound insights into Bangladesh鈥檚 post-independence history and its global interactions.
This event marked the second such conference organised by the AIBS, the only consortium of higher education institutions in the United States dedicated to advancing Bangladesh studies.
The conference not only facilitated scholarly discourse but also nurtured the academic community鈥檚 commitment to understanding and engaging with Bangladesh鈥檚 dynamic role on the world stage.
