The Department of Textile Engineering at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Germany, marking a significant milestone in international academic and research collaboration.
The MoU was formally signed on July 6, 2026, during a virtual ceremony attended by senior representatives from both institutions. The event was joined by AUST Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Golam Rahman, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraful Hoque, deans, faculty members, and officials from UNU-FLORES.
Representing AUST, the agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Sharmin Reza Chowdhury, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (In-charge) and Treasurer; Engr. Mohammad Faizur Rahman, Head of the Department of Textile Engineering; and Prof. Mohammad Tajul Islam, the designated contact person for the partnership. Prof. Dr. Edeltraud (Edel) Guenther, Director of UNU-FLORES, signed the agreement on behalf of the German institution.
The partnership establishes a framework for long-term cooperation across several strategic areas, including joint research and innovation, capacity development, academic and scientific exchange, seminars, workshops, conferences, doctoral supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration spanning engineering, architecture, business, and related disciplines. A key focus of the collaboration will be advancing research and innovation in circular textiles and sustainable resource management.
The agreement builds on discussions initiated during a visit by an AUST delegation to UNU-FLORES in Dresden, Germany, in September 2025. The delegation, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraful Hoque and including Prof. Dr. Lal Mohan Baral and Prof. Mohammad Tajul Islam, explored opportunities for strategic cooperation in research and higher education. Following months of engagement and collaborative planning, the shared vision has now been formalized through the MoU.
The collaboration is expected to foster international research partnerships, strengthen academic capacity, facilitate knowledge exchange, and create new opportunities for faculty members, researchers, and students. Both institutions also aim to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through interdisciplinary research and sustainable innovation.
The newly signed agreement reflects AUST’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global academic network and promoting international collaboration in emerging fields, particularly sustainable textile technologies and circular economy practices.
