The “Development in Practice Course,” designed to enhance the skills of professionals in the development sector, reached its conclusion on Saturday. The closing ceremony occurred at the “Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury” auditorium of the University of Dhaka.
Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, the vice-chancellor and chief guest, commended the contemporary and field-relevant curriculum of the summer school program.
He praised the course for providing students from diverse sectors with insights into development activities for marginalized communities, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Dr Akhtaruzzaman also appreciated the course’s incorporation of the fundamental principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He thanked Friendship for organizing the course and acknowledged the participants’ active involvement.
Runa Khan, the founder of Friendship and a special guest speaker, emphasized the collective effort of individuals across various sectors in working towards the country’s development.
She highlighted the commitment to uphold their work’s core values and ethical standards while striving for progress.
Khan expressed her satisfaction that the dream of collaborating with Dhaka University was realized through this course, and she expressed hope for the continuity of such endeavors. She congratulated the students who successfully completed the program.
Marc Elvinger, Chair of Friendship Luxembourg and co-chair of Friendship International, noted that Friendship, a development agency, has served marginalized communities for two decades.
He underlined the course’s significance in providing students and professionals from various development organizations with insights into development initiatives on the chars.
Elvinger expressed his wish for others to follow suit in adopting such programs.
The “Development in Practice Course” closing ceremony was jointly organized by Dhaka University’s Department of Development Studies and the social purpose organization Friendship.
The certificate course was introduced for postgraduates and newcomers, with the opening ceremony on August 4.
The inaugural edition witnessed the participation of 25 students from diverse sectors, including banks, financial institutions, government, private, and international organizations.
The course was scheduled on weekends, spanning Fridays and Saturdays, to accommodate the participants’ schedules in Bangladesh.
It featured a total of eight classes, including six theoretical and two practical sessions, covering a range of topics such as gender diversity, inclusion, environment, climate change, good governance, social innovation, sustainable development, local community involvement, partnership building, participatory planning, and project development.
