Published: 10:53 AM, 09 June 2026
BUET launches ‘Exposing Hidden Heat’ research project
An inaugural ceremony for the research project titled “Exposing Hidden Heat: Mapping Heat-Driven Health Disparities and Advancing Policy Implications for Climate-Resilient Urban Development in Dhaka, Bangladesh” was held at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The event was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of BUET, Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque, as the Chief Guest, while Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of BUET, attended as the Special Guest. The Director of the Research and Innovation Center for Science and Engineering (RISE) of BUET also addressed the event.
As part of a $2.2 million international initiative funded by the UK-based Wellcome Trust, a research team from BUET has secured a grant of $235,680 to conduct advanced interdisciplinary research integrating urban planning, public health, and climate resilience. The research team is being led by Professor Dr. Khandakar Sabbir Ahmed of the Department of Architecture as the Principal Investigator. Co-Principal Investigators include Professor Dr. Sheikh Mokhlesur Rahman from the Department of Civil Engineering and Assistant Professor Dr. Nazmul Huda from the Department of Humanities.
This international collaborative initiative brings together Tulane University and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the United States, alongside Dhaka University and BUET. Dr. Mostafizur Rahman of Tulane University is serving as the Principal Investigator of the overall project. Other key collaborators include Dr. Md. Shahinur Rahman from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Professor Dr. Fatima Akter of the Department of Meteorology at the University of Dhaka.
To uncover the often invisible patterns of heat exposure that place millions of people at risk, the research team will employ advanced geospatial analytics, remote sensing, thermal imaging, and participatory data collection methods.
The project aims to identify science-based solutions for building more equitable and climate-resilient urban environments across South Asian cities.During the inauguration ceremony, a comprehensive overview of the project was presented. Academics and researchers from various government and non-government institutions and universities enthusiastically participated in the event.
The acquisition of this grant marks a significant milestone in BUET’s expanding research initiatives in climate and sustainability science. It is also expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s emerging role in addressing the global challenges of climate change through innovative and evidence-based research.
