The University of Calgary's commitment to global engagement and international impact is exemplified by partnerships like the one with Academics Without Borders.
Cumming School of Medicine public health researcher and professor Dr. Turin Chowdhury, PhD, traveled to Bangladesh in early 2024 to participate in the Academics Without Borders project Building capacity for knowledge synthesis among academics and learners at a young university in Bangladesh. His motivation for collaborating with Academics Without Borders stems from a belief that knowledge should be accessible to all, regardless of resources. He emphasizes the importance of democratizing knowledge to enable faculty and students in Bangladesh to shape research and policy that reflects their realities. This initiative is about building sustainable partnerships grounded in mutual learning with local communities, and advancing evidence-based policy and practice.
Tanvir Turin Chowdhury with students, academics, and staff at Independent University, Bangladesh. Photo Courtesy Independent University, Bangladesh
"I'm excited to co-create solutions with people who understand the nuances of their own communities, and in turn, strengthen my own perspective on inclusive research practices. Together, we can advance evidence-based policy and practice, turning knowledge into real social impact. That vision, where open science, local leadership, and shared expertise intersect, is what motivates me to collaborate with Academics Without Borders and commit fully to this work."
During his time in Bangladesh, Chowdhury worked with Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) to build capacity in knowledge synthesis methodologies the systematic approaches used to gather, evaluate and integrate research findings from individual studies into a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic. The project involved tailored training sessions for faculty and graduate students. By collaboratively designing curricula that embed these methodologies into academic programs, the initiative aims to ensure sustainability and contribute to advancing evidence-based policy and practice in Bangladesh.
The project aims to achieve several outcomes:
- Enhanced Research Skills: Faculty and students at IUB will gain essential skills in knowledge synthesis, enabling them to conduct high-quality research and contribute to evidence-based policy.
- Sustainable Curriculum Development: The collaborative design of curricula aims to ensure that future cohorts of students will continue to benefit from the training, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Increased Research Output: The project aspires to lead to an increase in research publications and presentations by IUB faculty and students, showcasing their ability to engage with global academic conversations.
"There's a special kind of fulfillment that comes from seeing others gain skills that can make a difference in their own contexts, and I return home feeling re-energized about the potential for meaningful, community-oriented research to drive social change. Ultimately, this experience left me inspired and even more motivated to pursue capacity-building initiatives. I'm convinced that mutual learning, where each partner has both expertise to offer and lessons to learn, is the heartbeat of transformative academic work" says Chowdhury.
Buffy St-Amand, senior director, UCalgary International says, "Academics Without Borders truly embodies the University of Calgary's dedication to global engagement. By working hand-in-hand with institutions like Independent University Bangladesh, we are not just sharing knowledge but building meaningful relationships that drive real change. Through these collaborative efforts, we create lasting impact by supporting communities in their journey toward growth and development. Research plays a pivotal role in these partnerships, enabling us to co-develop innovative solutions, advance scholarly exchange, and address pressing global challenges. By fostering sustainable collaborations and sharing knowledge, we empower communities worldwide to create a more equitable future."
UCalgary's membership in the Academics Without Borders offers opportunities for academics to share their expertise and knowledge as volunteers in capacity-building projects - projects they may propose themselves - in partnership with institutions in low and middle-income countries. Engaging in this work gives faculty and staff a global perspective that enriches education and research on their own campuses. UCalgary's partnership with Academics Without Borders is one example of how global engagement has helped spark positive change in local and global communities. Interested in volunteering: check out the Academics Without Borders's website at: https://www.awb-usf.org/ or contact UCalgary International at uci@ucalgary.ca
Turin Chowdhury is an associate professor in the departments of Family Medicine and Community Health Sciences and assistant dean, Inclusive Scholarship & Learning, Graduate Science Education at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). He is continuing professional development director, Family Medicine, and a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health at the CSM.
Academics Without Borders' mission is to assist low and middle-income countries to improve their institutions of higher education so that they can train their own experts and conduct research to assist in their countries' development. Academics Without Borders' projects are involved in the full range of activities from expanding and improving existing institutions and programs to helping create new ones.
