North South University (NSU) has hosted the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICPS 2026) on 10 October 2026, bringing together academic leaders and distinguished guests to celebrate scientific innovation, international academic collaboration, and advancements in pharmaceutical sciences. Organized by NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, the three-day conference, running from 10 to 12 October, started under the theme “Innovations in Pharmaceutical Sciences for Global Health Advancement.” The event also marked the 20th anniversary of NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, highlighting its role in advancing pharmaceutical education and research in Bangladesh. 
The program was graced by Chief Guest Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC); Special Guest Mr. Aziz Al Kaiser, Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees (BOT); and other distinguished guests, including Mr. M. A. Kashem, Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, NSU; Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, NSU; and Mrs. Rehana Rahman, Member, Board of Trustees, NSU. Also present were Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU as Session Chair; Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NSU; Professor Dr. Dipak Kumar Mitra, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at NSU as Special Guest; Dr. Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, as Conference Co-chair; and Professor Mohammad Hossain Shariare, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at NSU as Conference Chair. 
Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, said, “Advancing pharmaceutical sciences through research, innovation, and collaboration is essential to strengthening higher education and contributing to global health progress. Conferences like ICPS 2026 provide a valuable platform for researchers and academics to exchange knowledge, share ideas, and explore new approaches to addressing global health challenges.” 
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University, said, “ICPS 2026 reflects NSU’s commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and research-driven innovation. Today, pharmaceutical sciences go beyond medicine, bringing together diverse fields of knowledge to improve healthcare worldwide.” 
Mr. Aziz Al Kaiser, Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees, said, “At North South University, we believe education should prepare students to address future challenges through knowledge, research, and innovation. We remain committed to advancing pharmaceutical education, medicine, and scientific research. I hope conferences like ICPS 2026 will encourage collaboration, inspire new ideas, and contribute to improving healthcare in Bangladesh and beyond.” 
Mr. M.A. Kashem, Member and Former Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees, said, “Milestones such as the twentieth anniversary of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences demonstrate the importance of continued academic development and a long-term commitment to scientific progress.”
Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Member and Former Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees, said, “Sustained investment in higher education and research helps create an environment where innovation can flourish, and academic institutions can contribute meaningfully to society.”
Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NSU, said, “Collaborative academic initiatives such as ICPS 2026 help strengthen research culture, encourage knowledge sharing, and support the continued development of pharmaceutical sciences.”
Dr. Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and Conference Co-chair, said, “International academic partnerships create valuable opportunities for sharing knowledge, developing research collaborations, and advancing pharmaceutical sciences for the benefit of society.”
Professor Dr. Dipak Kumar Mitra, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at NSU, said, “Interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific inquiry are vital to addressing complex health challenges and preparing the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.”
Professor Mohammad Hossain Shariare, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at NSU and Conference Chair, said, “ICPS 2026 provides an important opportunity for researchers and academics to exchange ideas, strengthen collaborations, and explore innovative approaches to pharmaceutical sciences and global health.”
In the final part of the opening session, Professor Didier Merlin, Regents’ Professor at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA, delivered a plenary lecture titled “A Novel Oral Lipid Nanoparticle-Based Targeted Therapeutic Strategy for Ulcerative Colitis,” highlighting an innovative approach to targeted drug delivery for inflammatory bowel disease.
Marking the twentieth anniversary of its Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University hosted ICPS 2026 from 10–12 October in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. The conference highlighted the importance of pharmaceutical education, research, international collaboration, and scientific innovation in advancing global health.