Dhaka: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Centre for Policy Research on Business and Development (CPRBD) at the University of Dhaka, jointly launched the International Certification in Inclusive Insurance at the University of Dhaka on Tuesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the initiative is being implemented under UNDP's Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), addressing critical gaps in technical expertise that have limited the growth of inclusive insurance in Bangladesh. The certification programme aims to strengthen Bangladesh's insurance ecosystem by developing skilled professionals who can design, deliver, and scale inclusive insurance solutions for low-income households, micro-entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, and underserved communities, said a UNDP press release today.
Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam Zahid, Chairman of the Department of Banking and Insurance at the University of Dhaka, attended as a special guest and noted that inclusive insurance is central to building a resilient and equitable economy. He emphasized that this certification marks an important step in bridging the skills gap and preparing professionals to design solutions that truly respond to the needs of underserved communities.
Dr. Abul Khayer, Chairman of the Department of International Business at the University of Dhaka, shared that by embedding international standards within a nationally anchored academic framework, this initiative ensures that knowledge is not only transferred but sustained. He stated that it positions Bangladesh to lead in developing inclusive, customer-focused insurance systems that can protect livelihoods at scale.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Mahmood Osman Imam, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka. Monirul Hoque, National Programme Officer of UNDP IRFF, gave a keynote presentation, while Dr. Aditi Shams, Associate Professor at Dhaka University and Co-lead of this initiative, coordinated the event.