IUB confers degrees on 2,067 graduates at 27th convocation
Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) conferred degrees on 2,067 undergraduate and postgraduate students at its 27th convocation held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal on November 9, 2026.
The President of Bangladesh and IUB Chancellor Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the ceremony, where he called for an integrated national education system to reduce disparities among different streams of education.
He said the country’s education system had long been divided into several streams, creating differences in access, quality and skills. He stressed the need to bring these streams under a coordinated system and raise educational standards to international levels while preserving the country’s history, language, literature, culture and heritage.
He also urged universities to make higher education more relevant to labour market needs by introducing employment-oriented and skills-based curricula. Greater attention should be given to practical and technical education, real-world experience and technological skills, he said.
Young people should be prepared not only to seek jobs but also to become skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and job creators, he added.
Speaking as the special guest, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed described the country’s young population as its greatest strength. He said their energy, determination and ability to innovate would play an important role in shaping Bangladesh’s future.
He encouraged graduates to use their academic and practical knowledge to become entrepreneurs and innovators. Referring to the country’s ambition to build a trillion-dollar economy and create 10 million new high-value jobs, he said young people’s talent, integrity and hard work would be essential to achieving these goals.
Convocation Speaker Prof Ainun Nishat reminded graduates that learning did not end with the completion of their academic programmes. As technology and knowledge continue to change rapidly, he said, they must keep updating their skills and understanding.
IUB Board of Trustees Chairman Didar A Husain said countries such as China and Vietnam were investing heavily in education, while Bangladesh had yet to reach the desired level of investment.
He thanked the government and expressed hope that education spending would soon reach 5 per cent of gross domestic product.
Vice-Chancellor Prof M Tamim said education also carried the responsibility of using knowledge for the welfare of others. He stressed that education remained incomplete without humanity and compassion.
He expressed hope that graduates would become rational, compassionate and responsible citizens who respect different opinions, stand against injustice and contribute positively to society.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Daniel W Lund presented the graduates for the conferment of degrees by the Chancellor. Registrar Asif Parvez conducted the ceremony.
Marjan Ferdous Tasbih of the Department of Finance was named valedictorian and received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal. The same award went to Nahian Islam Asif of the Department of Finance and Shadman Saqeeb Hasan of the Department of Marketing. Ikram Hossain Akif of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering received the All-Rounder Award.
For outstanding undergraduate academic performance, awards went to Aysha Shamim, Samim Rahman Bhuiyan, Tasnuba Tasnim Anita, Hemal Sharma and Yazdi Zaman. At the postgraduate level, the recipients were Tahsina Mahtab Ananna, Zaima Zohra, Rabiah Binthe Hossain and Fahmida Chowdhury.
Jannatul Ferdous Mohona received the Community Service Award. Abul Kasem (Ashikur Rahman) and Farhana Azizah Arif were recognised for their contributions to cultural activities.
The Sports Activities Awards went to Noor Zarin Tasnim for badminton, Ridoy Dev for cricket, Amit Bikram Roy for chess and Tiva Tasha for basketball.
The programme ended with performances by metal band Warfaze, the IUB Music Club, the IUB Dance Club and Abbrittilok.