Md Syful Islam is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sea and Maritime Law at Ankara University in Turkey. Before beginning his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s in Sea and Maritime Law (LLM) at the same institution, graduating with the highest possible distinction. Both academic programs were fully funded by the prestigious Turkish Government Scholarship Scheme, known as Türkiye Bursları.

He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the International Islamic University Chittagong and an LLM from Jagannath University in Dhaka. His research focuses on a wide range of pressing issues, including ocean governance, the law of the sea, the blue economy, climate change and human rights, fisheries management, maritime migration, pollution control, maritime diplomacy, artificial intelligence and ethics, as well as irregular migration at sea.

Syful has authored and published numerous scholarly articles in journals indexed by the Web of Science, the Emerging Sources Citation Index, Scopus, and other reputable peer-reviewed platforms. Several additional papers are currently in progress. He has also presented his research at various international academic seminars and conferences. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of South Asian Issues.

In addition to his academic work, he serves as a Research Officer at Research and Integrated Thought, a Dhaka-based think tank, and holds the position of Publication and IT Secretary at the Center for Policy and Social Research in Turkey. He is also affiliated with multiple research organizations, including the Bangladesh Centre for Ocean Law and Policy.

Syful currently works as Operations Manager at UniV, a holistic educational platform guided by the motto “Competence Beyond the Box.” In this capacity, he oversees a team of more than 400 members. His responsibilities include operational management, policy development, project supervision, and strategic planning. He leads initiatives related to information technology, language skill development, international competitions, research and publication programs, and preparatory courses for higher education. He is also engaged in writing persuasive content focusing on study abroad opportunities and soft skill development. Previously, he worked as a Legal Officer at Earth Face IT Firm in Dhaka.

A dedicated Bangladeshi national, Syful is actively involved with several human rights organizations and continues to contribute to social and humanitarian initiatives. He has also served as the Country Director for the International Youth Association. As an independent researcher, he regularly mentors and supports emerging scholars in the academic community.

With over a decade of experience collaborating with national and international organizations, including Students Liberty of Europe, the Global Youth Summit, the Asian Youth Association, the IIUC Law Club, the Library Movement of Bangladesh, and Bangladeş Eğitim ve Kültür Derneği, he has built expertise in nonprofit project management, social entrepreneurship, research, content development, and educational innovation. He has participated in numerous international conferences and has traveled extensively across Turkey, as well as to Nepal and India.