Brac University Launches Center for Energy and Logistics to Bolster Policy Research and Infrastructure Development

BRAC University has launched the Center for Energy and Logistics (CEL), an academic and policy-driven institution established to spearhead research, education, and strategic development within Bangladesh’s energy and supply chain sectors.

The center aims to transcend traditional research by providing data-backed insights to assist in national policy formulation and decision-making. CEL intends to establish itself as a regional center of excellence for the Global South, addressing the urgent needs of Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding economy, industrialization, and urbanization.

CEL’s scope of work covers a wide spectrum of energy-related concerns, including renewable energy, energy security, market dynamics, financing, climate management, and regional energy grids. Simultaneously, the logistics division will focus on supply chain efficiency, smart and green transportation, digital logistics, trade facilitation, and regional infrastructure connectivity.

The institution places particular emphasis on the intersection of energy and logistics. Its research agenda includes carbon emissions reduction, the development of green ports and smart logistics hubs, alternative fuels, battery supply chains, artificial intelligence integration, and the creation of climate-resilient, sustainable infrastructure.

Beyond research, CEL will offer a comprehensive range of academic courses, executive education, and professional certification programs. It plans to provide technical and economic analysis, feasibility studies, investment consulting, and project evaluation services for both public and private stakeholders.

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The center is led by economist and academic Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, who previously served as an advisor to the interim government. His background includes tenure as energy secretary and as the founding CEO of the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).

The advisory board is chaired by Sultan Hafeez Rahman, a member of the BRAC University Board of Trustees and a former director general of the Asian Development Bank’s South Asia and Pacific department. The board comprises a diverse group of experts, including engineers, industry leaders, and technology specialists.

CEL has also assembled a panel of distinguished fellows from prominent global institutions. Notable members include Sheikh Moinuddin, a former special assistant to the chief advisor of the interim government; Faruque Ahmed, former managing director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL); Rishad Ahmed of the University of Nottingham; and Professor Mohammad Quddus of Imperial College London.

Moving forward, CEL plans to collaborate with government ministries, international development partners, research institutions, and the private sector to facilitate policy dialogues and foster skill development across the energy and logistics landscape.