Dhaka, 31 July 2025 — Dr. Bingwei Tian, Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Assistant Dean at the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University–The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, recently visited Bangladesh for a series of field visits, academic seminars, and institutional engagements, marking a significant step toward deepening collaboration on disaster risk reduction and resilience between China and Bangladesh.
A leading scholar trained in China and Japan, with research experience at the University of Oxford and the Asia Disaster Reduction Center in Kobe, Dr. Tian specializes in disaster risk science, climate resilience, urban-rural safety, and Himalayan border region governance. He is widely recognized by both academic and government institutions for his expertise and leadership in disaster management and education reform.
On 27 July 2025, As part of his official visit, Dr. Tian, along with Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Country Director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), Nabila Tabassum, Programme Officer of CCS, Professor Moniruzzaman, Chair of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies - University of Dhaka, Shahriar Sarker, Lecturer, Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience and a bright student from the same institute, traveled to Sirajganj on 27 July to observe the ongoing impact of river erosion.
The delegation visited key erosion-prone sites, including the Enayetpur embankment and the “China Badh,” a prominent flood control structure along the Jamuna River. These visits allowed Dr. Tian to gain firsthand insights into Bangladesh’s flood management practices and the socio-ecological challenges faced by riverine communities.
On 28 July 2025, Dr. Tian delivered a keynote lecture titled "Disaster Prevention and Resilience: Insights from China and Beyond” at a seminar held at the M.A. Latif Auditorium, Department of Geology, Curzon Hall Campus, University of Dhaka. The seminar was chaired by Dr. Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Dhaka.
The seminar was jointly organized by the Centre for China Studies, the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, and the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience. Dr. Tian’s talk drew upon his vast international experience and focused on strategies for building resilient communities, fostering regional cooperation, and incorporating educational innovations into disaster risk management.
The session attracted scholars, researchers, practitioners, and students working on climate and disaster issues and was followed by a lively discussion on comparative practices and opportunities for future collaboration.
On 29 July, the delegation traveled to Mymensingh, where Dr. Tian visited Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). He delivered a lecture titled "Disaster Prevention and Relief: Lessons from China’s Experiences”, offering valuable perspectives from Chinese models of community-based disaster response and policy frameworks.
At BAU, the team was warmly received by Dr. Md Anwarul Abedin, Professor from the Department of Soil Science, who guided them on a campus tour that included a visit to the university’s renowned fruit garden. They also held fruitful discussions with Professor G.M. Mujibar Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and explored opportunities for collaboration between BAU and Chinese universities. Dr. Mohammad Golam Kibria, Associate Professor of Soil Science, also joined the meetings.
In the morning of 30 July, Dr. Tian and Professor Moniruzzaman were featured in a joint media interview organized by RTV and China Media Group, where they discussed the current disaster situation in Bangladesh—both natural and man-made. The conversation highlighted the urgent need for integrated planning, transnational learning, and community-centered approaches to disaster preparedness in light of growing climate vulnerabilities.
Dr. Tian's visit to Bangladesh comes at a time of growing interest in cross-border learning and policy dialogue around climate adaptation and disaster mitigation. He has previously been honored as a High-Level Overseas Talent of Sichuan Province and recognized as an “Advanced Individual” by Sichuan University for his contributions to research, teaching, and public service. His efforts in South Asia have been acknowledged with letters of appreciation from Nepal and other countries for advancing regional resilience and disaster governance.
It is hoped that Dr. Tian’s engagements in Bangladesh will further strengthen academic exchange, knowledge transfer, and mutual learning in disaster science between the two countries.
