An International Seminar on ‘Role of Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic’ was held virtually on September 11, 2020 under the auspices of International Science Programme (ISP), Sweden supported Research Group BAN:04 at the Department of Chemistry of Dhaka University (DU). More than 100 scientists from Australia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, India, Indonesia, Iran, Azerbaijan and USA joined the webinar and took part in the discussion.

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal delivered inaugural speech as chief guest while Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Group Leader, BAN:04 Research Group was the moderator of the webinar.

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Sadeka Halim, former Chairperson of DU Chemistry Department Prof. Dr. Nilufar Nahar, Prof. Dr. Begum Rokeya of  Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, former Chairperson of DU Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department Prof. Dr. Zeba Islam Seraj, Dr. Rumana Dowla of Care Foundation, Bangladesh and Dr. Sabrina M. Elias of Independent University, Bangladesh delivered lectures as panelists while Prof. Dr. Barry Noller of Queensland University, Australia and Prof Md. Iqbal Rouf Mamun of DU Chemistry Department were  discussants in the webinar.

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal highlighted the contribution of women in building the society and national economy during pandemic and non-pandemic situation. Other speakers recalled the contribution of hundreds of nurses, doctors and frontline fighters who sacrificed their lives during the management of COVID-19 pandemic situation and urged the respective authorities to give compensation to their families.

Prof. Shoeb in his concluding speech said that he would soon submit the recommendations of webinar to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

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(Mahmood Alam)
Director
Public Relations Office
University of Dhaka