Staff Correspondent 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has called on the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to take a stronger and more proactive role in ensuring the safety of children worldwide, particularly those in Gaza who are at grave risk due to ongoing conflict.

UGC Chairman Prof  Dr. S.M.A. Faiz made this appeal during the inauguration of a two-day workshop on Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), jointly organized by UGC and UNICEF. The event was held at the UGC auditorium on Tuesday as stated in an official press release.

Emphasizing the need to protect children in conflict zones, Dr. Faiz condemned the indiscriminate killing of children by Israeli forces in Gaza and urged UNICEF to raise its voice against such atrocities. "Israel is destroying the future generation of Gaza. UNICEF must step forward and act decisively to ensure child protection," he stated. He also commended the solidarity shown by the people of Bangladesh towards Palestine and called on UNICEF to demonstrate similar commitment.

The workshop aims to promote research, curriculum development, and academic collaboration on SBCC within universities across the country. A total of 12 faculty members and researchers from various public and private universities participated in the event.

The opening session was presided over by Jasmine Parveen, Acting Director of UGC’s International Collaboration Division. Special guests included UGC Member Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain and UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam.

Associate Professor Syed Tanvir Rahman from the University of Dhaka, Associate Professor Touhid Hossain Khan from Jagannath University, Professor Dr. Sorkar Barbak Karma from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and Md. Badrul Hasan, SBCC Programme Manager at UNICEF, along with senior officials from UGC.

Prof  Anwar Hossain highlighted that SBCC-related courses would be developed in alignment with Outcome-Based Education (OBE) frameworks, and faculty members would receive necessary training. He emphasized that these initiatives would help bring positive behavioral changes among marginalized communities, particularly women and children.

The SBCC initiative will also enhance student awareness and help them apply the acquired knowledge in both their professional and personal lives.