BRAC University Launches Centre for Energy and Logistics to Address Bangladesh Infrastructure Challenges

🏢 BRAC University has launched an interdisciplinary platform titled "Centre for Energy and Logistics" (CEL), focusing on education, research, innovation, policy engagement, and capacity building in the energy and logistics sectors. The launch was reported by The Daily Star on August 26, 2026.

🔌 Three Major Focus Areas

CEL's work focuses on three major areas: logistics, energy, and the interface between the two sectors. The centre aims to address challenges linked to the global energy transition, climate change, digitalisation, and changing trade patterns, particularly in the context of Bangladesh's rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and economic growth.

• 🚚 Logistics: Supply chain, trade infrastructure, port management
• ⚡ Energy: Renewable energy, energy security, energy markets and finance
• 🤝 Interface: Decarbonisation, green ports, alternative fuels, battery value chains

🌏 Vision for the Global South

CEL's vision is to become a centre of excellence in energy and logistics for the Global South. The centre will advance knowledge and support evidence-based decision-making in energy and logistics systems, according to its official brochure.

This is particularly significant for Bangladesh, which faces critical challenges in both energy supply and logistics efficiency. The country's energy crisis has been described by the Finance Minister as requiring two years to resolve, while logistics costs remain among the highest in South Asia.

⚡ Energy Sector Focus

In the energy domain, CEL will work on multiple critical areas:

• ☀ Renewable energy research and policy
• 🛡 Energy security and market analysis
• 💰 Energy finance and investment
• 📈 Energy efficiency and conservation
• 🌏 Climate policy and regional energy systems

🚚 Logistics and Supply Chain

In logistics, the centre will address Bangladesh's trade infrastructure challenges, including port congestion, transport inefficiencies, and supply chain management. Bangladesh's main port, Chattogram, handles roughly 92% of the country's containerised cargo, making logistics efficiency critical for export competitiveness.

🤝 Cross-Sector Research

The centre will also examine issues connecting energy and logistics, including:

• 🟢 Decarbonisation of transport and logistics
• 🛑 Green ports and sustainable maritime infrastructure
• ⛽ Alternative fuels for shipping and transport
• 🔋 Battery value chains for electric vehicles
• 🧠 Artificial intelligence in logistics optimisation
• 🏛 Climate-resilient infrastructure
• 📦 Supply-chain resilience

👥 Leadership

The centre is guided by a multi-stakeholder advisory council and led by distinguished experts:

• 🏛 Chairperson: Sultan Hafeez Rahman
• 📝 Director: Prof M Fouzul Kabir Khan (former adviser to the interim government)
• 👥 Fellows and experts from academic and industry backgrounds

🏫 Academic and Executive Programs

CEL will provide a range of educational offerings:

• 🎓 Academic programmes (degrees and certificates)
• 💼 Executive education for industry professionals
• 👥 Professional training and capacity building
• 📊 Knowledge-sharing events and conferences
• 🔍 Interdisciplinary research publications
• 🤝 Advisory services for government and industry

📊 Strategic Context for Bangladesh

The launch of CEL comes at a critical time for Bangladesh. The country faces multiple infrastructure challenges:

• ⚠ Gas shortages affecting over 100 factories with production halts
• 💰 Energy crisis expected to take 2 years to resolve
• 🛂 Logistics costs among highest in South Asia
• 📦 Chattogram Port handling 92% of containerised cargo
• 🌏 Big businesses turning to solar (potential 600MW self-generation)

🤝 BRAC's Global Network

CEL leverages the strengths of BRAC, a global development organisation, and BRAC University, a private research university. The centre benefits from collaboration with BRAC's affiliate institutes and schools, providing access to a wide network of researchers, practitioners, and industry partners.

🏢 The Centre for Energy and Logistics at BRAC University represents a significant investment in applied research addressing Bangladesh's most pressing infrastructure challenges. By bridging the gap between academic research and practical industry needs, CEL could play a transformative role in the country's energy and logistics sectors.