Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - 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.

It focuses on sustainable development in the global business environment, 
technology-driven innovation, and the challenges and prospects of modern 
business management.
 
On the second day, continuing the program, 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. 

The chief guest was Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque, Vice-Chancellor of 
Rajshahi Medical University. Also present were the conference's lead speaker, 
Professor Dr. Norhayati Rafida Abdul Rahim, Deputy Dean (Research and 
Innovation), Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam 
Malaysia, and the keynote speaker, Associate Professor Dr Bablu Kumar Dhar of 
the Business Administration Division, Mahidol University, Thailand.

The session was chaired by the Conference Chair, Head of the Department of 
Business Administration, and Dean of the Faculty of Business and ICT, 
Professor Dr. Kaniz Habiba Afrin.
 
In his address as chief guest, Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque emphasized 
that research and knowledge-based discussions are crucial for building 
sustainable and innovation-driven business systems in today's global context. 

He noted that such international conferences create an effective platform for 
exchanging experiences and ideas among researchers, academics, and industry 
professionals, and praised Varendra University's research-oriented 
international initiatives.
 
At the closing ceremony, awards were presented in various categories for 
outstanding research papers.

Special honor plaques were presented 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 for the conference, of which 166 selected research papers were 
registered for presentation. 

The conference saw participation from 553 researchers and authors from 9 
countries, representing 80 universities and institutions, highlighting the 
conference's 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 expressed hope that the research and discussions emerging from ICBISD 
2026 would play an effective role in advancing sustainable, innovation-
driven, and responsible business practices and further strengthen 
international research collaboration.