Strategic Objectives

Strengthen Research and Innovation on Climate and Disaster Resilience

Develop and support cutting-edge research on climate change impacts, disaster risk, environmental degradation, and adaptive solutions in Bangladesh and similar contexts. The center will act as a knowledge hub for generating scientific, evidence-based information to inform policies and practices.

Empower Youth, Students, and Researchers through Capacity Building

Equip young professionals, students, and early-career researchers with knowledge, skills, and tools through training, workshops, internships, and fellowships focused on climate justice, disaster risk management, and sustainable development.

Support Climate-Vulnerable Communities through Applied Solutions

Work directly with at-risk communities to identify local climate challenges and co-develop practical, locally appropriate solutions using participatory methods and indigenous knowledge. The center will focus on real-world implementation and impact on the ground.

Promote Climate Justice and Rights-Based Policy Approaches

Advocate for fair and inclusive climate governance by addressing the unequal impacts of climate change. The center will promote a rights-based approach that integrates the needs of marginalized groups, especially women, indigenous peoples, and low-income communities.

Protect Ecosystems and Mainstream Biodiversity into Climate Action

Conduct research and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity. Promote ecosystem-based adaptation and recognize the role of healthy natural systems in building long-term resilience.

Influence National and Local Policies with Scientific Data

Provide technical support and policy guidance to government and development partners through data, spatial analysis, community risk mapping, and policy assessments. The center aims to bridge the gap between science and decision-making.

Foster National and International Collaboration for Global Impact

Build strong partnerships with universities, NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations to implement joint research projects, share knowledge, and mobilize funding for long-term impact. 

Collaborative Framework and Institutional Partnerships

Prior to its establishment, the core research team at NSU had engaged in more than 20 national and international projects in collaboration with stakeholders including UNDP, IDRC, WHO, CNRS, WaterAid, World Vision, GIZ, CARE, and government institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, IWM, and Bangladesh Water Development Board. These collaborations addressed a diverse portfolio of climate-related challenges: from early-warning systems using AI and spatial surge modeling (e.g., SURF-IT) to watershed management in protected forest areas (e.g., Pablakhali and Lawachara), safe drinking water surveillance, and urban poverty mapping linked to climate vulnerability.

CDR’s institutional structure includes a Steering Committee chaired by the Vice Chancellor of NSU and composed of senior academic leaders, ensuring that the center’s work aligns with the university’s research, education, and strategic development goals. The operational team includes a Chief Coordinator, Thematic Coordinators, Research Associates, and short-term technical experts engaged on a project basis.

Methodological Innovation and Tools

CDR emphasizes methodological integration across qualitative and quantitative approaches. Key tools and frameworks include:

• GIS- and AI-based hazard and vulnerability modeling
• Remote sensing for land-use change and biodiversity loss analysis
• Rights-based and equity-centered climate risk frameworks
• Climate-smart indicators and metrics for M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation)
• Multi-stakeholder policy dialogue platforms
• Real-time data visualization dashboards and mobile applications for community use

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

CDR directly contributes to achieving and localizing multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 13: Enhancing adaptive capacity, raising awareness, and integrating climate measures into policies and planning
• SDG 11: Promoting resilient infrastructure and sustainable urban development in flood- and cyclone-prone zones
• SDG 15: Protecting and restoring degraded ecosystems, particularly in biodiversity hotspots
• SDG 5: Ensuring women’s participation in climate decision-making and supporting gender-responsive adaptation strategies

CDR signifies a critical institutional investment in research excellence and policy relevance. It strengthens NSU’s standing as a regional knowledge leader in climate resilience and humanitarian engineering. Through dedicated research fellowships, joint publications, and global academic exchange, the center will foster a new generation of transdisciplinary scholars and practitioners. The center will play a key role in enhancing the name and global standing of North South University, showcasing NSU’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, global sustainability, and academic excellence. In the coming years, CDR will lead collaborative national and international research projects, further advancing its mission to create a resilient, equitable, and climate-smart future.