North South University’s (NSU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) hosted another session of the Alumni Colloquium Summer 2026 on 03 August, drawing participation from North South University alumni in an engaging academic setting. The event featured research paper presentations by graduate students from different departments. The presenters included Abu Naser from the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) and Sajid Hossain from the Department of Law, a press release said.

Abu Naser presented a paper titled “Climate Change Impacts on Education in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh,” while Sajid Hossain presented “Bangladesh’s GDPR Moment?” Sajid Hossain, in his presentation, argued that Bangladesh’s “GDPR moment” will ultimately be judged not by how much data it can connect, but by how effectively the law governs data use through credible oversight, accountability, and accessible remedies. As Abu Naser highlighted in his presentation on Hatiya Island, extreme climate shocks are silently dismantling educational access, making climate-resilient schools and targeted economic support vital to protecting students’ right to learn. 

The session was chaired by Prof. Norman K. Swazo, PhD, Director of the Office of Research and Professor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Philosophy. Dr. Nazia Manzoor, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages at North South University, served as the discussant. The event was moderated by Samila Nowshin, Lecturer in the Department of History and Philosophy at North South University.

In his opening remarks, Professor Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Law, said that the SHSS Colloquium has become a mini agora of ideas and has been a great success. He expressed his hope that it would continue to foster a vibrant research culture. He noted that researchers receive valuable feedback through the colloquium, which benefits their ongoing and future research endeavors. 

Dr. Nazia Manzoor described the colloquium as a rare and valuable opportunity for researchers. She noted that each semester the School hosts three colloquium sessions covering diverse academic fields. She then reviewed the two papers and provided constructive feedback to the presenters. Prof. Dr. Norman K. Swazo remarked that it is always a pleasure to see alumni return to campus and contribute to the University’s research environment. He also shared his observations and feedback on the presented papers.

The presentations were followed by an interactive Q&A session, during which faculty members and participants engaged with the presenters by offering reflections and posing thoughtful questions. The session concluded with appreciation for the presenters and their contributions, reflecting the School’s continued commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture.