The One Health Youth Symposium in Bangladesh (OHYSB) stands as a pioneering youth-led initiative designed to introduce, promote, and strengthen the One Health approach among undergraduate students. By bringing together young learners from human, animal, and environmental health-related disciplines, the symposium empowers future professionals to understand and respond to the complex, interconnected health challenges facing Bangladesh and the wider world.

What began as a single-university gathering in 2023 has gradually developed into a growing national youth platform. The journey started at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) with the successful organization of the 1st National One Health Youth Symposium in Bangladesh, marking a historic milestone in youth-driven public health advocacy.

A Landmark Beginning at PSTU

On July 29, 2023, Bangladesh witnessed an important moment in youth-led One Health engagement as the first symposium was held at PSTU. The event brought together undergraduate students, mainly from the Veterinary Medicine Discipline and allied fields, to explore the connections between human health, animal health, environmental sustainability, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, and climate-linked health risks.

The symposium created a meaningful space where students could learn from experts, interact with professionals, and discuss how the One Health approach can be applied in real-world settings, especially in Bangladesh’s rural, farming, and community health contexts.

The symposium was conceived and spearheaded by Abu Sayed, a dedicated veterinary student and youth leader in One Health at PSTU. His vision was to build a youth-focused platform where undergraduate students could engage with One Health concepts beyond the classroom and take part in interdisciplinary health action.

The event was organized with a didicated team from PSTU, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Youth Institute (FAYI) of the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS), headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The symposium received financial support from IAAS, reflecting the importance of international youth collaboration in advancing One Health awareness.

Participation and Reach

The one-day event brought together more than 160 undergraduate students, creating a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, youth leadership, and cross-disciplinary dialogue. The participation of students from veterinary medicine and related fields demonstrated the strong interest among young professionals in addressing health challenges through a broader, integrated lens.

Program Highlights

The symposium featured a range of academic, professional, and youth-led activities, including:

• Expert scientific sessions on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and food safety

• Interactive talks by One Health professionals, academicians, and government officers

• Workshops and youth-led discussions on the practical application of One Health principles

• Keynote speeches, certificate distribution, and closing celebrations

These sessions encouraged students to think beyond discipline-specific boundaries and understand how human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.

Collaboration Across Government, Academia, and Youth Networks

The success of the first symposium was made possible through strong collaboration among government institutions, academic bodies, and international youth organizations. Key partners and collaborators included:

• Field Disease Investigation Laboratory (FDIL), Barisal

• District Livestock Office (DLO), Barisal, Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh

• Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (FANSVM), Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU)

• International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS)

This multi-sectoral collaboration reflected the true spirit of One Health, where institutions and individuals from different fields work together toward shared health goals.

Key Speakers and Contributors

The symposium was enriched by the presence and contribution of distinguished speakers and professionals, including:

• Dr. Nurul Alam, District Livestock Officer, Barisal, Department of Livestock Services — One Health Advocacy

• Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Mostafa Anower, Department of Microbiology and Public Health, PSTU

• Prof. Dr. Farzana Islam Rume, Department of Microbiology and Public Health, PSTU — AMR and Zoonoses

• Dr. Md. Ibrahim Khalil, Senior Scientific Officer, FDIL Barisal — Epidemiology and Health Crisis Management

• Abu Sayed, Head, FAYI, IAAS — Event Organizer

Their valuable insights helped students connect scientific knowledge with field-level realities and encouraged them to take active roles in One Health advocacy.

Outcomes and Long-Term Vision

The 1st National One Health Youth Symposium in Bangladesh laid a strong foundation for youth-led One Health action in the country. It established a collaborative platform connecting universities, government agencies, professionals, and international youth organizations.

The event inspired a new generation of students to view health through an interdisciplinary and community-based perspective. It also created momentum for future outreach activities focused on antimicrobial resistance awareness, zoonotic disease prevention, food safety, climate-sensitive health risks, and rural community engagement.

The enthusiasm and continued involvement of students after the event reflected the symposium’s long-term impact. More importantly, it marked the beginning of a growing national movement to place youth at the center of One Health education, advocacy, and action in Bangladesh.

Press by: Abu Sayed

Contact for the Press: mail@ohyab.org