272 students get Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award

The fifth Gold Award Ceremony under The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award was held in the capital on Sunday.

This year, the Gold Award went to 272 students of ABC International School, Bangladesh International Tutorial, Maple Leaf International School, Stride International School, The Aga Khan School Dhaka, Basirannesa High School, Cantonment College Jessore, Chittagong Grammar School-Chittagong, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Independent University Bangladesh, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, Dhaka University (DU), and University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.

The ceremony was hosted by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake in her residence. This year, the Countess of Wessex graced the ceremony as chief guest for the first time and handed over the certificates to the heads of the institutions on behalf of the awardees, said a press note.

Sue Walker, Asia Pacific regional director of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, and Sayeeful Islam, chairman of the Board of Trustees of The DEA Foundation, Bangladesh and also managing director of Concord Garments Group, attended the ceremony. Members of the executive committee Rizwan Bin Farouq (chairman), Kazal Kanti Debnath, Prof M Manjurul Karim, and Maj (retd) Giasuddin Ahmad, and National Director of the foundation Prof KM Shariful Huda were present among others.

Meanwhile, a total of 64 students from different departments of DU were awarded with Silver and Bronze Awards yesterday for their success in various extra-curricular activities.

The DEA Foundation, Bangladesh awarded 21 students with Silver Award and 43 with Bronze Award at a programme, organised by Students Counseling and Guidance Office of DU, in Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the campus.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman presided over the function where Sue Walker spoke as chief guest.

Run by the British royal family, the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is an internationally recognised award which opens an opportunity to the youth of aged group 14-24 to discover their hidden abilities and to gain a special sense of satisfaction and achievement.