Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held its 23rd Convocation on its campus on Sunday.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni conferred degrees upon the graduates on behalf of the Honorable President of Bangladesh and the Chancellor of the University. Eminent economist Wahiduddin Mahmud was the convocation speaker.
In his speech, Wahiduddin Mahmud said the graduates were part of the high-quality human capital that would shape the future of the country.
He said many factors influence a society's progress, such as resources, physical capital, technology, and quality of governance, but the formation of skilled human capital through education and learning underpins all of these.
"Think of Germany and Japan. Their physical infrastructure was thoroughly ravaged during World War II. Yet both the countries emerged again as economic powerhouses within a decade after the war."
Mahmud said massive US aid played a role in the resurgence of the two economies, but the main underlying factor was the presence of well-trained and disciplined manpower.
He likened infrastructure without skilled manpower to a skeleton without muscles.
“Realize what an important potential you are! for our future economic development, it is important that graduates put their education to productive use,” he told the graduates at the convocation.
He further said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable socioeconomic progress, but there may have been a deterioration in the moral standards of society.
“It is a global phenomenon at an age of excessive consumerism and hyper-capitalism, with unprecedented concentration of wealth amidst extreme inequality,” he noted.
“Build a career while keeping an eye on our moral compass. Don't feel frustrated even if observed merit is devalued and morality is in decline,” the economist said.
He also stressed the need for choosing careers that the graduates enjoy, and not just to earn money.
Education Minister Dipu Moni said: “We are working to create an entrepreneurship ecosystem where students, universities and the government will play roles in a balanced manner.”
She emphasized the need for students to obtain ICT knowledge so that they can compete nationally and on global platforms.
IUB Trustee Board Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker said: “I graduated just a year before the Great War of Liberation. Those were some very uncertain times, and I never had a convocation. You, my dear graduates, should consider yourselves lucky because you live in an independent country and hence are fortunate enough to have a convocation at the right time. Therefore, never forget the millions of people who sacrificed their lives to earn us liberty in 1971.”
In a video message, Salma Karim, vice chairman of the Education, Science, Technology and Cultural Development Trust (ESTCDT), said: “Over the last 30 years, more than 15,000 students have graduated from IUB and many of them are doing wonderfully well in their careers all around the world.
Vice Chancellor Tanweer Hasan said: “Our female students are increasingly performing better than the male students. This year, we enrolled 44% female students and today, almost 40% of our graduating students are women.
“Additionally, all three of our Chancellor's Gold Medal winners are women. Among the magna cum laude, 45% are women; among the summa cum laude, 74% are women.”
IUB Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the program.
A total of 1,459 students graduated in the 23rd Convocation, of whom 1,140 were from the undergraduate level and 319 were from the graduate level. Andrianna Bashar, a graduate of Sociology, received the Chancellor's Gold Medal and was named the Valedictorian.
Apshara Ahasan and Sanjida Afrin, both students of BBA, also received the Chancellor's Gold Medals for scoring a perfect 4.00 CGPA. Subaita Fairooz, from Global Studies & Governance, won the All-Rounder Award. Avijit Saha and Alavy Kifait Reza received the top Achiever's Award for outstanding results at the master's level.
In addition to academic achievements, IUB also recognized outstanding performance in extra and co-curricular activities.
Tauhidur Rahman Ononno and Sadia Rowshan received the Cultural Activities Award. Samuel Ricardo Rozario and Mahim Rahman Pranto received the Sports Activities Award. Anatul Araf Haque Rishad received the Community Services Award.
