BRAC University career fair draws 80 employers, 500 students
BRAC University’s two-day National Career Fair 2026 brought together 80 employers and around 500 students from universities across the country, providing opportunities to explore jobs, meet recruiters and receive career guidance.
The fair ended on Tuesday, October 13, and was organised by the university’s Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
Participating employers included Nestlé, bKash, BRAC Bank, City Bank PLC, Meghna Group of Industries and Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills.
Students visited company stalls to learn about job opportunities, interact with recruiters, submit CVs, attend interviews and seek advice on career development.
Addressing the inauguration as chief guest, Masud Khan, a member of BRAC University’s Board of Trustees, urged jobseekers to remain patient and committed to their professional goals.
“A career is like a marathon; there are no shortcuts. You must have patience,” he said.
Emphasising excellence, integrity, responsibility and continuous skills development, Khan advised prospective employees to research organisations thoroughly, understand their requirements and highlight their distinctive qualifications during interviews.
BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said academic knowledge provided the foundation for professional development, drawing on real-world experiences reflected in textbooks and research publications.
“We discuss many skills, but to me, human skills are the most important. This is because, without these skills, we cannot properly value others, and empathy would be lost,” he added.
At a panel discussion on building impactful careers, Rupali Haque Chowdhury, an independent director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, shared an example of how finding purpose in everyday work could help people recognise the value of their contributions.
BRAC University Treasurer Ariful Islam urged students to learn from setbacks and rejections.
“So, there are a lot of challenges, a lot of disappointments, a lot of rejections, but what doesn’t kill you make you stronger. Remember that,” he said.
He also highlighted a major transition in professional life: moving from managing oneself to leading teams and managing others.
Shaharear Sayeed, director of the Human Resources Department at BRAC University, who moderated the discussion, stressed the need for continuous learning amid technological change.
“Continuously, keep on learning new skills, new ways of handling AIs, and maybe you will be relevant come 20 years, but it’s very difficult to predict how it’s going to be two, three, even 5 years down the line,” he said.
At another session, City Bank PLC Managing Director and CEO Masrur Arefin advised students to consider a bank’s corporate governance and working environment before joining.
“Before joining a bank, it is crucial to consider the institution’s corporate governance and overall work environment,” he said.
Referring to economic challenges, he added, “(GDP) Growth is slowing and inflation is rising. Therefore, you need to be more responsible-both towards yourselves and your parents.”
Other speakers at the fair included BRAC University Registrar Dr David Dowland; Md Ashanur Rahman, deputy managing director, chief economist and country business manager at City Bank PLC; Rizwan Dawood Shams, managing director and CEO of IPDC Finance; Sharmin Sultan, chief people and culture officer; Shah Ali Newaz Topu, chief solutions architect at BRAC IT Services Limited; Taufica Erfan, director of HR and Operations at IHH Healthcare; and Shahriar Rahman, head of human resources at Premium Sweets.
They shared their professional experiences and insights during sessions designed to help students navigate career choices and workplace expectations.
