City Desk :
Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held its 25th convocation on Saturday, conferring degrees on 1,969 graduates. The ceremony took place at the university campus in the city’s Bashundhara Residential Area.
Among the graduates, 1,550 received undergraduate degrees, while 419 were awarded postgraduate degrees. Two students were honored with the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for their outstanding academic achievements.
Professor Dr. M Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Education, presided over the ceremony as the representative of the President of People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Chancellor of Universities. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur was the Convocation Speaker. Professor Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, attended the ceremony as the Guest of Honor.
Professor Dr. M Aminul Islam said, “To succeed in your professional life, regardless of what you pursue in the future, you must have two essential tools – skills that will enable you to compete with the world. One of these is proficiency in speaking and writing English, and the other is expertise in using computers. If you possess these two skills, you will be able to compete strongly in any field.”
To the graduates, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur said, “If you take responsibility, you must do it the right way. You should not pursue professions you may not like. Do what you enjoy because fulfillment in life comes only when you genuinely like what you are doing. This is the time – even if you have partly chosen your professional path, nothing is set in stone. Make a choice.
Find out the best option for you. For example, you may be an engineer, but many engineers work in social work, economics, or other fields. People can change, but the change should be objective and come from the heart.”
Professor Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman said, “Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, and as a nation, we must build an environment where creativity and new ideas can flourish. I am heartened to see how universities like IUB are nurturing emerging technologies and promoting applied research that has real-world impact.
From artificial intelligence and robotics to renewable energy, from data science to health care innovations, the future of Bangladesh depends on our ability to embrace these fields and produce solutions that address both local and global challenges.”
Mohammad Zakaria Khan, Chairman of the Education, Science, Technology and Cultural Development Trust (ESTCDT), said, “We should learn to live like a tiger. How do we do that? Always face the truth and speak the truth. Be brave enough to say ‘no’ when you see a wrong being committed. Otherwise, we will never have peace.”
Didar A Husain, Chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees, said, “No man is an island. We belong to our country, our nation. As humans, we can communicate in ways other animals cannot. If we lack empathy for our fellow human beings, it does not bode well for the country’s progress.
We must share some of our good fortune with those who are less privileged. It is simply about making it a habit. This is how we want to build our country, and you, the graduates, are our champions – for IUB and for the nation.”
In his speech, Vice Chancellor Professor M. Tamim offered three pieces of advice to the graduates, “Be curious. Learning is a life-long process, and I expect you to keep learning as you advance. Without being curious, you won’t be able to learn. Take a moment to look back. The lessons you have learned at IUB, both academic and personal, will help shape your path forward.
