NN Online:
BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar recently represented Bangladesh at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, participating in a high-level forum aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of the UN’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, Professor Anwar spoke in a session titled “Institutional Reflections: Creating a Better World – Contributions of Higher Education.” He emphasized the growing influence of universities in promoting youth-led innovation, impactful research, and community engagement, spotlighting BRAC University’s initiatives as exemplary models of change.
“Today’s students are not just being educated—they are driving solutions, leading change, and uplifting communities,” said Professor Anwar. “At BRAC University, we nurture this spirit through research and service that resonate beyond borders.”
Adding a personal layer to the university’s presence, BRAC University alumnus and Millennium Fellow Srijan Banik shared his experience of leading grassroots initiatives. His testimony reflected how BRAC University continues to empower young changemakers addressing pressing societal challenges.
Alongside his UN engagement, Professor Anwar held strategic meetings with global academic institutions and development organizations to explore future collaborations. Discussions are underway with Columbia University, NYU Stern, Carnegie Mellon University, Springfield College, Bard College, and several international networks such as the Clinton Global Initiative, Open Society Foundations, and Fossil Foundation.
The forum, co-hosted by the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and Millennium Campus Network (MCN), brought together representatives from renowned institutions including Oxford University, Minerva University, Lagos State University, and De Montfort University. Diplomats from various UN member states also participated, highlighting the expanding role of academia in shaping global policy and progress.
In the event’s closing session, Professor Anwar reflected on the future of higher education amid global challenges. “The role of academia now extends far beyond traditional teaching—it lies in mobilizing youth to create a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable world,” he noted.
BRAC University’s involvement in the forum underscores its growing influence in global education and its unwavering commitment to social innovation, leadership, and transformative learning.
