An inception workshop on the research project titled, “Desalination of water and soil using nanomaterials and nanotechnology” funded by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) under the BAS-USDA endowment program (6th phase) was held on September 25, 2025, at AIUB Media Studio. Professor Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, honorable chairman, Bangladesh Accreditation Council, and Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) was present in the workshop as the monitor of the project and the chief guest.

The Principal Investigator (PI) of the project, Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Rabbani, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry; Deputy Director, Dr. Anwarul Abedin Institute of Innovation, and In-Charge, Center for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), AIUB presented the details of the project including methodology before the professors and researchers of the similar research fields (peers).

Prior to the presentation, the honorable Vice Chancellor of American International University- Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Saiful Islam inaugurated the workshop and delivered welcome speech highlighting the importance of problem-solving research and collaboration to contribute to the development of Bangladesh and well-being of society. He also added some valuable ideas to the research plans presented in the workshop.

The Co-principal investigator (Co-PI) of the project, Professor Dr. Md. Abu Bin Hasan Susan, Department of Chemistry & Director, Dhaka University Nanotechnology Center (DUNC), University of Dhaka and Fellow of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) has participated in the discussion, especially, on the methodology and implementation of the project. He emphasized the reported technologies for desalination of water and soil including Capacitive Deionization (CDI) method. As the Co-PI of the project, he confirmed his full cooperation to complete the project successfully.

Professor Dr. Md. Jashim Uddin, Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka was present in the workshop as a member of the research team. As a soil scientist, 

he shared his opinion on how to make the project successful considering the complex composition of soil.

Professor Dr. A. J. Saleh Ahammad, Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University and associate fellow of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) shared some suggestions to improve the quality of research from his expertise in electrochemistry and nanotechnology.

Professor Dr. Jashim Uddin, Department of Mathematics and Convenor of research and publication, American International University-Bangladesh participated in the discussion and accentuated the importance of literature review and optimization of the methodology.

The chief guest and monitor of the project, Professor Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, discussed the processes of project selection for grant by the Bangladesh academy of sciences, monitoring the project implementation, and evaluation of project by phases. He also recommended some issues to be added to the project which will improve the quality of research works.

Honorable Pro Vice Chancellor of American International University- Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman has delivered closing remarks with vote of thanks focusing on the development of Center for Nanotechnology Research (CNR) at AIUB, research supports provided by the university, challenges and scope of research activities at AIUB, importance of research collaboration and strategic plans for the successful completion of the research projects conducting at AIUB.

Mr. Mashiour Rahman (Dean-in-Charge, Faculty of Science and Technology), Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mannan (Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering), Professor Dr. Md.  Saniat  Rahman  Zishan (Director, faculty of Engineering), Dr. Md. Abdullah -Al – Jubair (Director, Faculty of Science and Technology), Professor Dr. S. Mosaddeq Ahmed (Head, Department of Chemistry), Dr. Debajyoti Karmaker (Head, Department of Computer Science), Mr. Nafiz Ahmed Chisty (Head, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering), Dr. Chowdhury Akram Hossain (Head, Department of Computer Engineering), Dr. Md. Ehasanul Haque (Head, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering), Professor Dr. Md. Siddiqul Islam (Head, Department of Pharmacy), and faculty members from different departments were present in the workshop and participated to the discussion. Meanwhile, Mr. Salah Uddin Ammar, the PhD fellow who joined under this project, was introduced to the guests and participants of the workshop.

The Principal Investigator (PI) of the project Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Rabbani noted all the suggestions given by the participants with thanks which will be incorporated in different stages of the project work. The workshop ended with hand overing gifts to the guests and refreshments.