Syed Arifuzzaman, founder executive director of Activity for Reformation of Basic Needs (ARBAN), has been awarded the Best Youth Organizer for 2019 (male).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented the award to Arifuzzaman, along with 22 self-employed youths and four youth organizers, in recognition of their contributions towards generating employment for themselves and others, at the National Youth Award 2019 held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Thursday.
ARBAN is a non-profit organization involved in youth engagement and skill development in marginalized communities.
The National Youth Award is organized every year by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Addressing award-giving ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “It is important for Bangladeshi youth to develop skills, become efficient and build confidence necessary to be self-reliant.
“Do not go door-to-door looking for jobs,” the prime minister further said. “Develop the ability and confidence to create employment for others.”
The premier distributed crests and certificates among the award recipients.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the middle with all the recipients of youth awards at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Thursday, January 30, 2020 | PID
In a conversation with Dhaka Tribune after the award-giving ceremony, Arifuzzaman said he was delighted to receive this prestigious award from the prime minister.
“This is a huge milestone for me,” he said. “This achievement is recognition of my work. I think it will motivate my followers and co-workers, who are working closely with ARBAN.”
Youth and Sports Ministry officials said ARBAN, located in Purbadhala area in Netrokona district, was chosen for this award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the welfare of the youth in particular.
Arifuzzaman founded ARBAN in 2012 with a commitment to establish an information and technology based society. He also formed tech organization ARBAN-IT, education organization THE ARBAN academy, online news portal AJKER ARBAN, and launched e-commerce platform ARBAN Craft to promote the handicraft industry.
Since ARBAN’s inception, Arifuzzaman has implemented many projects including education, healthcare, agriculture, women empowerment, information and communication technology, social forestry, training, entrepreneurship development through various projects by international organizations, development partners, universities, research institutes, and the government of Bangladesh.
Arifuzzaman has received several prestigious awards, both national and international, in recognition of his talent and initiatives as well as strong organizational skills. Among them are the National Innovation Award from the ICT Division of Bangladesh, Youth Solution Award jointly from the World Bank and Microsoft, and Sher-e-Bangla Award.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel presided over the function, while Youth and Sports Secretary Md Akhter Hossain delivered the welcome speech.
Director General of the Department of Youth Development Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir was also present at the ceremony.
