Rajshahi: A two-day international conference organized by the Department of Business Administration at Varendra University concluded here today. The conference titled “International Conference on Business Innovation and Sustainable Development (ICBISD 2026)” began on January 31 with discussions and research presentations by renowned national and international researchers, professors, and industry representatives.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the conference focused on sustainable development in the global business environment, technology-driven innovation, and the challenges and prospects of modern business management. On the second day, technical sessions, parallel sessions, poster presentations, keynote speeches, and industry-focused discussions were held with the participation of distinguished local and international researchers, professors, and industry professionals.
Various sessions featured research papers and discussions on multiple dimensions of sustainable business development, including green finance, digital transformation, climate resilience, corporate governance, artificial intelligence, fintech, and the Internet of Things. The closing ceremony was held at the Varendra University auditorium, with Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi Medical University, as the chief guest.
The conference’s lead speaker was Professor Dr. Norhayati Rafida Abdul Rahim from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, and the keynote speaker was Associate Professor Dr. Bablu Kumar Dhar of Mahidol University, Thailand. The session was chaired by Conference Chair, Professor Dr. Kaniz Habiba Afrin, Head of the Department of Business Administration and Dean of the Faculty of Business and ICT.
In his address, Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque emphasized the importance of research and knowledge-based discussions for building sustainable and innovation-driven business systems. He noted that international conferences provide a platform for exchanging experiences and ideas among researchers, academics, and industry professionals, praising Varendra University’s international initiatives.
Awards were presented for outstanding research papers at the closing ceremony, and special honor plaques were given to the conference guests on behalf of the Department of Business Administration. According to the organizers, a total of 301 abstracts and 205 full papers were submitted, with 166 selected research papers registered for presentation. The conference saw participation from 553 researchers and authors from 9 countries and 80 universities and institutions, highlighting its international recognition and research depth.
In her closing remarks, Conference Chair Professor Dr. Kaniz Habiba Afrin expressed gratitude to the organizing committee, guest speakers, researchers, and all concerned. She hoped that the research and discussions from ICBISD 2026 would advance sustainable, innovation-driven, and responsible business practices, further strengthening international research collaboration.