BMirror Desk:
Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), a leading FMCG company in the country, on Wednesday announced a new partnership with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at Dhaka University. This collaboration aims to address the critical issue of plastic circularity in the Bangladeshi context and foster academic development.
A renowned team of IBA faculty members, including Professor Sheikh Morshed Jahan, Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen, Professor Dr. Khaled Mahmud, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Kabir, Kaniz Fatima, and Arpita Aishwarya, will spearhead research on plastic waste management and recycling. This research will focus on identifying solutions for challenges faced by recyclers, emphasizing the crucial role of producers and consumers in responsible plastic waste management. Additionally, the project will assess the current state of plastic circularity in the Bangladeshi market, exploring potential models suited to the local context and conducting a review of existing infrastructure. The research will also propose solutions for public and private institutions to cultivate a sustainable plastic recycling model.
Unilever Bangladesh will extend brand sponsorship to support academic development at IBA. Javed Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainability. He highlighted Unilever’s global efforts towards innovative plastic waste management approaches since 2020, including packaging innovation, sustainable waste collection models, and fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue and knowledge sharing. Akhtar underscored the importance of collaboration with academia, expressing his enthusiasm for working with IBA to address industry challenges and achieve the collective goal of sustainable plastic waste management.
Professor Mohammad Abdul Momen of Dhaka University’s IBA faculty acknowledged the immense potential of this joint venture. He stressed the importance of industry-academia collaboration in driving innovation and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Momen believes this partnership will offer valuable insights and real-life experiences to enhance learning and development for IBA students and faculty. He expressed optimism that the collaboration will facilitate knowledge exchange, mutual learning, and the development of innovative solutions for contemporary business challenges.
This partnership aligns with Unilever Bangladesh’s commitment to promoting hygiene and sustainability through its leading brands like Lifebuoy, Pureit, Domex, and Horlicks. Beyond this formal collaboration, Unilever Bangladesh actively engages with IBA students and graduates, providing opportunities for skill development and career advancement. The company’s flagship initiatives, including the Unilever Leadership Internship Programme, the Unilever Future Leaders Program, and the BizMaestros competition, contribute to shaping the future leadership of Bangladesh.
This collaboration between Unilever Bangladesh and IBA signifies a significant step towards tackling plastic circularity, fostering academic development, and paving the way for a more sustainable future in Bangladesh.
