The Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies of Independent University, Bangladesh has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Ankara University鈥檚 National Centre for the Sea and Maritime Law.
The MoU was signed in a virtual ceremony connecting Dhaka and Ankara, said a press release on Monday.
The agreement aims to enable collaborative research, academic exchanges and policy initiatives linking Bangladesh鈥檚 maritime expertise with international leadership.
Professor M Tamim, vice-chancellor of IUB, and Mustafa Ba艧kara, CEO of DEHUKAM, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
The MoU outlines joint research projects addressing maritime challenges, faculty and student exchanges, technical knowledge sharing, and policy development initiatives.
The collaboration focuses on scalable solutions in ocean governance and maritime law, with a framework for sustained academic and operational engagement between the two institutions.
Professor Tamim described the MoU as a step towards active collaboration in sustainable ocean governance and maritime law, underlining the importance of tangible outcomes through partnership beyond formal agreements.
Mustafa Ba艧kara highlighted DEHUKAM鈥檚 expertise in maritime law, policy, and marine spatial planning with a team of over 24 senior researchers, and emphasised the importance of the MoU for joint research, training programs, and resource sharing with CBoBS.
Ambassador Tariq Karim, adviser to CBoBS, highlighted the ties between Bangladesh and Turkey, dating back centuries.
Md Khurshed Alam, director of CBoBS, noted his 1997 naval training in Turkey and emphasised the potential for capacity building, knowledge exchange and operational maritime research, citing Bangladesh鈥檚 maritime trade and Turkey鈥檚 strategic location as bases for cooperation.