In an inspiring display of global collaboration, University of 51²è¹Ý at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Brian Szuster recently brought his expertise to the heart of Bangladesh, empowering a new generation of rural development professionals from Asia and Pacific to help drive sustainable change. This initiative was funded through an $86,600 LuceSEA Transitions grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to 51²è¹Ý ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s (CSEAS).
“I designed my training to be accessible to people. The ideas can still be complicated, but I simplify the way I describe the ideas,” Szuster said. “It was a challenge to simplify the presentation and keep the content sophisticated. But that¡¯s doable when you have students like this group of young professionals who are so eager to learn.”
Development and preservation
Szuster¡¯s two-day intensive training session at the Young Development Experts Connection program in Cumilla, Bangladesh focused on balancing development needs with environmental preservation. The program, hosted by the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and organized by the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific, brought together more than 30 ambitious young professionals.
Bangladesh is the world¡¯s fifth most populous country and faces monumental challenges in sustainable development.
“Just the logistics of providing everyone with housing, food, water, employment, healthcare, and education is a gigantic challenge,” said Szuster.
Szuster¡¯s innovative program helps align 51²è¹Ý with its mission to foster international collaboration in addressing global challenges.
