PROFILE

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Sikder Md. Zulkernine

Professor, Department of Archaeology
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Currently on Deputation: Deputy Director (Programmes), SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Academic Profile

Dr. Sikder Md. Zulkernine is a Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, where he has been a faculty member since 2009. He is a museologist and archaeologist whose academic and professional work focuses on museum studies, archaeology, cultural heritage, museum education, community engagement, collections management, and the application of digital technologies to museum learning and public access. Since 1 August 2024, he has been serving on deputation as Deputy Director (Programmes) at the SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pasted markdown Pasted markdown

His academic interests increasingly extend to cultural diplomacy and the role of art, culture, and heritage as forms of soft power for strengthening regional understanding and cooperation in South Asia. His current professional responsibilities at the SAARC Cultural Centre bring together academic research, heritage, cultural programming, and regional cultural cooperation. 

Education

Dr. Zulkernine completed his B.S.S. (Honours) and M.S.S. in Archaeology at Jahangirnagar University. He subsequently studied Archaeology and Ancient History of India at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India, where his M.A. research examined the typo-technological characteristics of ceramic assemblages from Wari-Bateshwar, an important early historic archaeological site in Bangladesh. He later earned an M.Sc. in International Museum Studies from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, where his research focused on museums and their relationships with communities in Bangladesh. He completed his Ph.D. in Archaeology at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda with a dissertation entitled The Development of Archaeological Museums in Bangladesh: History, Collection Management and Community Engagement.

Academic and Professional Appointments

Dr. Zulkernine joined the Department of Archaeology at Jahangirnagar University as a Lecturer in 2009. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2011, Associate Professor in 2014, and Professor in 2023. Since August 2024, he has been serving at the SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo on deputation from Bangladesh .

Research and Professional Interests

His principal areas of academic and professional interest include:

• Museology and museum studies
• Museum education and visitor learning
• Museums and community engagement
• Inclusive and participatory museum practices
• Collections management and museum documentation
• Digital technologies for museum interpretation, learning, and access
• Archaeological museums and archaeological heritage
• Field archaeology
• Cultural heritage management
• Archaeological tourism
• Cultural diplomacy
• Art, culture, and heritage as soft power for regional cooperation in South Asia

International Academic and Museum Experience

Dr. Zulkernine has developed substantial international academic and professional experience. He served as a Research Scholar and Tutor in the Department of Visual Studies at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, where he contributed to teaching courses related to museums, Western art, and global cultural encounters. He was also a Research Scholar with the ImaginAsia Family Program at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, following an earlier education internship at the same institution.

His museum experience also includes an internship at the Musée Guimet, Paris, where he contributed to exhibition development on the archaeology of Bangladesh and the conservation of textile objects, as well as exhibition development experience at the World Culture Museum, Gothenburg, Sweden. 

Programme Leadership and Cultural Cooperation

As Deputy Director (Programmes) at the SAARC Cultural Centre, Dr. Zulkernine has been involved in designing and organising regional cultural initiatives that promote dialogue, heritage awareness, and cultural cooperation among South Asian countries. These have included SAARC Film Days, the SAARC Puppetry Festival 2025, the SAARC Heritage Forum 2025, the SAARC Culinary Art and Spice Exhibition in Bhutan, Falgun Utsab and Baul of Bengal, and observances of International Mother Language Day in 2025 and 2026. 

His work in this area explores how shared cultural heritage, artistic traditions, performance, language, food culture, and scholarly exchange can contribute to regional understanding and cooperation.

Research Projects and Grants

Dr. Zulkernine has been involved in several research and development projects concerning museums, archaeology, heritage, and public engagement. These include research on the development of archaeological museums in Bangladesh, a British Council Heritage Grants Project focused on engaging young people with archaeological museums and heritage sites, and an Innovation Grant from the Access to Information Programme, Prime Minister's Office, Bangladesh, for developing mobile-phone-based museum tours to enhance visitor learning. Worked as Alternate Sub Project Manager, Sub-Project: CP-2329 JU: “Improving Research Capabilities in Field Archaeology, Museum Studies & Cultural Heritage Management at Department of Archaeology” under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP), University Grants Commission Bangladesh and World Bank. 2012-2014

His archaeological field experience includes exploration, excavation, ethno-archaeological research, and heritage documentation at locations in Bangladesh and India. 

Selected Publications

Dr. Zulkernine has published on museums, community engagement, archaeological heritage, museum technologies, ceramics, and cultural representation. Selected publications include:

(2025). “Behind the Strings: Conversations with South Asian Puppeteers.” SAARC Art Magazine, Issue 8, 57-61. ISSN-

2023, Khudro Nri-Goshthir Museum in Rangamati: Engagement of Ethnic Communities, The Jahangirnagar Review, Part II: Social Sciences, Vol. 47, No.3, 2023, pp 121-141, Jahangirnagar University Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1682-7422

2023, Museum and the Cultural Representation of Ethnic Communities: A Study of the Khudro Nri-Goshthir Museum in Rangamati,  The Jahangirnagar Review, Part II: Social Sciences, Vol. 47, No.2, 2023, pp 61-87, Jahangirnagar University Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1682-7422

2023, Archaeological Investigation at Kaliakair Upazila of Gazipur District in Bangladesh, The Jahangirnagar Review, Part C, Vol. XXIII, 2022-2023, pp. 57-66, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Savar Dhaka. ISSN 2306-3920

2022, Evaluation of Visitor Learning Facilities at Varendra Research Museum in Bangladesh: towards the Development of Museum Education Program using Digital Technology, Pratnatattava 28: pp. 75-82. Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1560-7593

2017, Study on Stone Beads Industry at Khambhat: An Ethnological Approach, The Jahangirnagar Review, Part II: Social Sciences, Vol. XXXVII, 2013, Jahangirnagar University Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1682-7422

2015, Tourists' attitude towards archaeological tourism sites of Bangladesh: A study on Mainamati Boudha Vihar Comilla, The Jahangirnagar Journal of Business Studies Vol. 4, No. 1, Faculty of Business Studies, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh ISSN-22273484 

2014, Egarosindhur of Kishorgonj: An Archaeological Exploration, Pratnatattava 20: pp. 123-133.Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1560-7593

2013, Museums and Indigenous Society: An attempt to understand the contemporary role of Museums towards their communities, The Jahangirnagar Review, Part C, Vol. XXIII, 2011-2012, pp. 57-66, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Savar Dhaka. ISSN 2306-3920

2012, On the typology and Petrography of Wari-Batesar Ceramics, Man and Environment XXXVII(I) pp. 42-50, Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies, India. ISSN 0258-0446

2011, The relationship between Museums and their Communities in Bangladesh, Pratnatattava 17: pp. 123-133. Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1560-7593

2010, Museum, Collection Management and New Technology, The Jahangirnagar Review, Part C, Vol. XX–XXI, 2008-2009 & 2009-2010, pp. 57-66, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Savar Dhaka. ISSN 2306-3920

2009, An Ethno-archaeological study on ceramics of Wari-Bateshwar, Bangladesh. Pratnatattava 15: 35-44. Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. ISSN 1560-7593

He also served as Issue Editor of SAARC Art Magazine, Issue 8, 2025. 

Conferences and Scholarly Engagement

Dr. Zulkernine has presented research and participated in academic conferences, seminars, workshops, and professional programmes in Bangladesh and internationally. His scholarly engagements have included the ICOM General Conference, international conferences on museum studies, heritage, digital learning, archaeological fieldwork, cultural heritage protection, and community engagement. His international academic participation has included events in the Czech Republic, Japan, Thailand, India, Nepal, and Hong Kong. 

Professional Service and Memberships

Dr. Zulkernine has been actively involved in professional organisations concerned with museums and cultural heritage. He served as an Executive Member of the ICOM National Committee, Bangladesh, from 2020 to 2026 and is serving as Vice-Chairperson for the 2026-2029 term. He is also a member of ICOMOS Bangladesh, a Life Member of Itihas Academy and Jono-Itihas Chorcha Kendra, and serves as Executive Director and Trustee of the Centre for Heritage Education, Bangladesh. 

Selected Scholarly Presentations, Lectures, and Accepted Contributions

Guest Speaker, 55th Annual Conference of the Institute of Historical Studies in collaboration with Kazi Nazrul University, India. Theme: Heritage, Tourism, and Industry in India: Exploring New Dimensions in History Writing, 18-19 March 2025.

 International Museum Day-2022 Key note paper on “The Power of Museum” organized by ICOM Bangladesh and Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University Savar Dhaka held on 16 June 10, 2022

 Vadnagar International Conference on Promoting Archaeological Heritage and Culture in Gujarat India from 18-20 May, 2022 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. 

Paper presented on “The relationship between museums and their communities in Bangladesh: challenges and opportunities” at International Virtual Conference on Museums 2021 organized by ICOM held on 20 May 2021. 

 D-Lab workshop on “Participatory Design at Lingnan: Designing with and for the Elderly” organized by Office of Service Learning, Lingnan University and MIT D-Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology on 25-26 November 2019.

Paper Presented on “Museums Documentation System, Collections Accessibility and Learning Facilities for Public using New Technology in Bangladesh” at the CIDOC annual Conference at the 25th General Conference of ICOM from 1-7 September 2019  at  Kyoto in Japan.

Paper presented on “Enhancing Distance Learning of Art, Culture and Heritage Using Digital Technology at Museums in Bangladesh” at the International Conference on Distance Learning: Research and Innovation for a Digital Society, co-organized by Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (UNESCO Bangkok) held from 1-3 August 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand.

 International Symposium “Wellbeing and Inequality in Digital Age” organized by Centre for Social Policy and Social Change, from January 10-11, 2019 at Amenities Building at Lingnan University.

 Academic Writing Enhancement Workshop 2019/20, Lecture 1- Academic Writing and Plagiarism - Types of Academic Writing, Citation Styles, Source Evaluation, Turnitin, and etc, Speaker: Mr Simon Burfoot (MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics), Senior Instructor, Centre for English and Additional Languages (CEAL), organized by School of Graduate Studies on 16 September 2019.

Academic Writing Enhancement Workshop 2019/20, Lecture 2- Researching and Writing at Postgraduate Level  - Design, Structure, Language, Style and etc. of Postgraduate Academic Writing, Speaker: Mr Simon Burfoot (MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics), Senior Instructor, Centre for English and Additional Languages (CEAL), organized by School of Graduate Studies on 23 September 2019.

 Panel discussion and interactive workshop on Communities of Practice: Learning to make a difference together with a highly recognized scholar in the prominent field of Communities of Practice (CoPs), Dr Etienne WENGER-TRAYNER and five academics from the four UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong to present their insightful project findings and scholarly works in CoPs in a panel discussion organized by Teaching and Learning Centre, Lingnan University on 26 April 2019.

 UOB Behind the Scenes Lecture Series: “Cultural Leadership in Changing Times; Gender, Power and Uncertainty” by Dr Maria Balshaw CBE, Director of Tate at the University of Hong Kong on 28 March 2019.

 UOB Behind the Scenes Lecture Series: “The Guggenheims” by Mr Richard Armstrong, Director of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation at the University of Hong Kong on 25 March 2019.

Visual Studies Seminar: “Art in Hong Kong in the 20th Century” by Dr SHENG Hung at the Department of Visual Studies, Lingnan University on 2 April 2019. 

Art History and Curating Seminar Series: “Marketing and Merchandising Treasures in the Museum-land” by Prof. Tzeng Shin-Chieh at the Fong Sum Wood Library, Lingnan University on 1 April 2019.

 Art History and Curation Lecture Series: “The Possibility of Impossibility - On Digital Technology and Museum Reproduction” by Professor Kan Fengying at the Fong Sum Wood Library, Lingnan University on 4 April 2019.

Visual Studies Seminar: “‘Utamu wa macho’: Exploring Traditional Craftsmanship and Swahili Culture in East Africa” by Ms Cassandra Chan at the Department of Visual Studies, Lingnan University on 25 March 2019.

Visual Studies Seminar "Trading Stories: Euro-Asian Maritime Commerce on Display" by Prof. Gabriel N. Gee at the Department of Visual Studies, Lingnan University on 19 February 2019.

 Lingnan University and University of Cambridge Two-day workshop organized by Department of Cultural Studies, Lingnan University ‘Follow the Practice’: Tracing Formations of Culture & Knowledge in Asia, Speaker: Prof. Samita Sen, Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, Prof. Tejaswini Niranjana, Prof. Anjeline De Dios, Prof. Du Chunmei,, Prof. Roberto Castillo, Lingnan University and Mr. Ho Tzu Nyen, Artist, Filmmaker and Writer from Singapore, “The Name/The Nameless” Prof. Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Film and cultural theorist, at the University Clubhouse, 2/F, Amenities Building, Lingnan University on 21 - 22 March 2019 

1Postgraduate Study Seminar Series organized by Division of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University: Translating an idea to a top journal publication by Professor Alex He Jingwei, The Education University of Hong Kong at AM310, 3/F Amenities Building Lingnan University on 13 March 2019.

Postgraduate Study Seminar Series organized by Division of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University: Poverty, deprivation and health inequalities in Hong Kong by Professor David Gordon, Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research, University of Bristol, at MBG06, G/F Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University on 28 February 2019.

Postgraduate Study Seminar Series organized by Division of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University: Housing Policy Challenges for the 21st Century by Professor Ray Forrest, Director, Centre for Social Policy and Social Change, Lingnan University, at MBG19, G/F Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University on 21 February 2019.

Postgraduate Study Seminar Series organized by Division of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University: Fractures in the Education-Economy Relationship: Theoretical and Methodological Reflections by Professor Hugh Lauder, Department of Education, International Centre for Higher Education Management (ICHEM), University of Bath, at MBG19, G/F Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University on 24 January 2019.

"The Development of Bangladesh Nation Museum and Relationship with Communities” for a poster presentation at Estonian National Museum international conference RELEVANCE from 5-7 may 2020 at Tartu, Estonia

“The Challenge and Opportunity of Underwater Archaeology in Bangladesh” paper accepted for presentation at the 4th Asia- pacific Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage from 23-27 March 2020 at Keelung, Taiwan.

 “The relationship between museums and their communities in Bangladesh: challenges and opportunities” paper accepted for presentation at International Conference What Will Be? Strategies, Practices and Performances in Social Arts jointly organized by ICNOVA/ NOVA - FCSH; IHA/NOVA-FCSH; CIEBA/FBAUL; VICARTE – FBAUL (Portugal); AiRS and Skövde Art Museum (Sweden) from 21-22 October 2019 at Lisbon, Portugal  

International Museum Day-2018 Lecture on “Museum Education and Hand on Project” organized by Liberation War Museum Bangladesh.

Workshop on The Application of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention organized by the Department of Archaeology and UNESCO Dhaka office from 2-5 October, 2017

Paper “Recent Archaeological Exploration at Egarosindhur under Pakundia Thana of Kishorgonj using GIS an Remote sensing data” Presented at the International Seminar on Field Archaeology organized by Department of Archaeology, Kerala University from 16-19 January 2017 

International Museum Day-2015 Lecture on “Museum Education and Sustainable Development of Society” organized by ICOM National committee Bangladesh.

International short-term course cum workshop on History, Science & Technology of Stone Beads organized by Archaeological Science Centre, IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat India at August 10-14, 2015

Training workshop for Protection of Cultural Heritage at Dhaka organized by Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO(ACCU) from 11 January to 16 January 2015

Alternate Sub Project Manager, Sub-Project: CP-2329 JU: “Improving Research Capabilities in Field Archaeology, Museum Studies & Cultural Heritage Management at Department of Archaeology” under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP), University Grants Commission Bangladesh and World Bank. 2012-2014

International Symposium “Protecting Asia’s heritage: Strategies for fighting illicit traffic of cultural property and fostering restitutions” Organized by UNESCO, Kathmandu Office, Nepal, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal on 16 and 17 December 2013 at Hotel Annapurna, Kathmandu, Nepal

Workshops on “Field techniques & documentation” and Seminar on “Issue and challenge of Museum education program” under the sub-project “Improving Research Capabilities in Field Archaeology, Museum Studies & Cultural Heritage Management at Department of Archaeology” held on 10 – 13 December, 2012 at Zahir Raihan Auditorium, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

International Seminar on History and Heritage of Bangladesh organized by Itihas Academy, Dhaka held on 17 February 2012 at Asiatic Society Auditorium, Nimtoli, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Joint annual conference of Indian Archaeological Society, Indian Society of Prehistory and Quaternary Studies and Indian History and Culture Society and National Seminar on the “Archaeology of Ganga Plain” organized by Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India on 28-31 December 2004.

PROGRAMME LEADERSHIP AT SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE, COLOMBO

Designed and organised regional cultural programmes and initiatives at the SAARC Cultural Centre, including:

 SAARC Film Days across multiple locations in Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, Kandy, and Seruwila in Trincomalee, promoting regional cinema and intercultural dialogue.

 SAARC Puppetry Festival 2025, highlighting traditional performance practices and intangible cultural heritage from SAARC member states.

SAARC Heritage Forum 2025, providing a platform for scholarly exchange and policy dialogue on heritage preservation, management, and regional cooperation.

SAARC Culinary Art and Spice Exhibition in Bhutan, showcasing regional culinary traditions and shared gastronomic heritage.

 Falgun Utsab and Baul of Bengal, celebrating seasonal cultural expressions and the philosophical and musical traditions of the Baul community.

Observance of International Mother Language Day in 2025 and 2026, emphasising linguistic diversity, cultural identity, and the safeguarding of intangible heritage.

SAARC Workshop on Digital Technology for Preserving Cultural Heritage 16-18 September 2026

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sikder-md-zulkernine-5a7527126/ 

https://juniv.academia.edu/SikderMdZulkernine 

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4252-4601

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sikder-Zulkernine?ev=hdr_xprf 

RESEARCH INTEREST

Museology, Museum Education, Digital Documentation, Heritage Management. Preserving and Protection Intangible Cultural Heritage,  Field Archaeology, Ethnography, Ceramic Studies, Silk Route and China, South Asian Archaeology. and Cultural Diplomacy.

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