DU publishing 15 volumes of foreign Policypaedia
In a rare initiative, the Dhaka University is going to publish 15 volumes of “Bangladesh Foreign Policypaedia”, which will help scholars, researchers, policymakers and make all better informed.
Led by Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Department of International Relations and Centre for Genocide Studies, DU has already completed two volumes containing chronology of events from 1972-1979, which will be formally published soon.
Speaking at a pre-publication announcement of the two forthcoming volumes of the Policypaedia, Prof Imtiaz informed they are going to publish the 15 volumes in the next three years. The University Press Limited (UPL) will publish the volumes.
He said volumes 1-6 will have chronology of events from 1972-2018 and the other volumes will focus on treaties and agreements; trade, finance and marketing; critical reflections; en-gendering foreign policy; perspectives from abroad, cultural diplomacy, and foreign policy speeches by all the heads of state and government.
Nearly 100 students worked relentlessly to prepare the first two volumes, Prof Imtiaz said, adding, another hundred or more would be required to finish the project.
Held in the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury auditorium of the social science faculty building, Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi addressed the function as the chief guest, where DU Pro-VC Prof Md Akhteruzzaman and Director of UPL Mahrukh Mohiuddin, also spoke.
Gowher Rizvi lauded the initiative and said it would be an invaluable asset for all. He also laid emphasis on focusing on the “beauty and diversity” of Bangladeshi culture and expanding its ties with the external world.
“There's nothing better and stronger than culture,” he said, observing that much have not done regarding it.
The adviser said Bangladesh's “circumstances and needs” are changing and the foreign policy needs to adapt. “…We have to have much more knowledge-based and evidence-based foreign policy,” he said.
He also suggested the DU and UPL to consider making the volumes easily accessible to all and be capable of updating the Foreign Policypaedia.
Prof Imtiaz also praised the students for their relentless work in gathering information of the first two volumes, which they did for free. He also informed that some of the volumes are in an advance stage.
Students, academicians, researchers, foreign ministry officials and others attended the function.
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