Create opportunity for the underprivileged

For building an inclusive and developed nation, educated youths must facilitate opportunities for those who remain deprived of enjoying the same scope in their lives, said Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Brac founder and chairperson, yesterday.

He was addressing the 18th convocation of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on its campus in the capital as the convocation speaker.

A total of 1,419 students, who have completed their bachelors and masters from the private university, received certificates at the event.

The ceremony began with a student procession. Afterwards, guests and teachers of the university congratulated the graduates, and motivated them with words of inspiration.

In his speech, Sir Abed said the new generation will have to overcome the challenges of terrorism, climate change, epidemics and the rising tide of nationalism.

"As this future unfolds, many of you will be busy establishing your careers, chasing promotions, and building families. I urge you, in the midst of these concerns, to remain engaged citizens of a changing world. What you contribute to the society will be your true mark on the world, not what you have achieved for yourselves,” he added.

He said education is not just about achieving academic excellence but rather about broadening our perspective.

"Higher education should increase our freedom to lead a life of value. Only when we have the courage to look beyond our self-interest, we can begin to realise the true potential of that freedom,” Sir Abed mentioned.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, who spoke on behalf of the chancellor of the university, President Abdul Hamid, called upon the students to join the efforts to eradicate poverty and illiteracy.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid presents a medal to a graduate of Independent University, Bangladesh on the occasion of IUB's 18th convocation on its campus in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Collected

He, however, warned the private universities that are yet to move to its campus buildings, of facing legal action and bar on enrolling new students.

Of the 95 operational private universities, a number of them are yet to move to its own campuses within five years of launching, a basic condition stipulated in the Private University Act 2010.

Of those, 39 universities have opened their new campuses partially, some are still undergoing construction and some are yet to begin construction, Nahid said.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, Chairman of Board of Trustees of IUB Rashed Chowdhury, IUB Vice-Chancellor Prof M Omar Rahman, Chairman of its education, science, technology and cultural development trust Abdul Hai Sarker; and Pro-VC (designate) Prof Milan Pagon, also spoke.