Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) celebrated International Women's Day with a landmark event titled Inclusion for "National Goals: Ladies in Leadership" at the IUB Auditorium in Bashundhara Residential Area, Dhaka on Sunday.
The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of women leaders at the forefront of Bangladesh’s business landscape. It served as a platform for motivating and inspiring female students, faculty, and staff at IUB, providing them with insights and experiences from some of the nation's most distinguished women in business.
Among the speakers were Shusmita Anis, managing director of ACI Formulations Limited, Sarah Ali, managing director of FCB Bitopi, Rubaba Dowla, country managing director of Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, and Rupali Chowdhury, managing director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited. They shared their journeys, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs they encountered on their paths to success.
Didar A Husain, chairman, Board of Trustees, IUB, Salma Karim, member, Board of Trustees, and Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, PhD, pro-VC, also spoke at the program.
The event was moderated by Naureen Rahnuma, PhD, assistant professor and head of the Department of English and Modern Languages at IUB.
Shusmita Anis said: "Self-confidence for women, especially in environments predominantly occupied by men, some of whom are seniors and hold PhDs, can be challenging. The key to achieving consistent growth in such scenarios lies in continuously learning, understanding, and adapting."
Sarah Ali said: "Women should focus on building big careers, having high ambitions, and going for big things! Neither family nor career have to be compromised; both can be simultaneously maintained with determination."
To the female students of IUB, Rubaba Dowla said: "It is important for women to never let obstacles or hurdles stop them and to always help each other on their paths. I wish for all of you to be able to reach your dreams, achieve your goals, and always believe in yourselves."
Rupali Chowdhury in her speech said: "It is important to stay relevant, for which technological know-how has become essential for everyone, especially for women. Therefore, we need to continuously learn and ask questions. The minds that question, Do not give up, are very important."
IUB Trustee Dr Husne Ara Ali said being a wife, mother, amateur artist, and a writer, she had always prioritized the development of IUB above everything else. However, she did not neglect any of her duties while doing so. Instead, she learned that with a bit of determination and clever management, fulfilling all her responsibilities was not hard at all. If she could achieve this, then women from all spheres of life could do it as well.
IUB Vice Chancellor Tanweer Hasan said: "At IUB, we have developed specific academic programs and infrastructural facilities to attract female students to our university. We believe that if all universities in the nation practice such gender inclusivity in terms of student enrollment, faculty recruitment, and leadership positions, there will be no stopping us from achieving our national goals.
