A student engagement platform for idea-sharing

Podium founder Raihan Khandker while speaking at a session in University of Dhaka

The youth of Bangladesh have the ability to overcome great challenges. They have the potentials to change the society further through innovative ideas. Bangladesh has always been backed by its indomitable youths. This stride of youth in different areas of our country will not move our economy but also change our position on global leadership. However, we need to nurture it and properly shape it. For this reason, we need to create a common speaking ground where every single student will be given chance to raise their voice. Podium is one of the platforms in Bangladesh that is working towards this objective.
'Podium', a unique and innovative platform in Bangladesh for all students, has started its journey with a vision to create a common ground to provide opportunity for all the students to speak up and bring about a social change in the country through dissemination of their innovative ideas. 'Podium' means 'Platform'. The reason behind choosing this name is this is a platform where students from any school, college or university can come and share their ideas on a single platform and broadcaste those ideas to the world.
Podium was founded by Md Raihan Khandker, a student of Department of Marketing of the University of Dhaka. He founded Podium on January 17, 2015 at University of Dhaka. He is also a young entrepreneur who founded Crash Course, another platform for skill development, and a designing start-up. Currently, he is pursuing his MBA at the University of Dhaka.
Raihan Khanakar said, 'When I got the idea of Podium I was studying in second year. At that time, the heinous crime of burning people using petrol bombs was going on and that startled me. Everyone was talking about this on social media but we had no place to actually talk about this. We didn't have any platform to welcome the new ideas and initiatives our country needed. At that time, we felt the need of a platform where we could share our thoughts, opinions, innovations and ideas to make this a better place, a better country, and a better world. We realised the necessity of a platform where we won't be judged how we talk and how impressive our ideas are but inspire everyone to at least give a chance to voice their minds.'
Podium films the best speeches on innovative ideas of the students and uploads the videos on its own YouTube channel 'The Podium' so that the world could see what they are doing, thinking and dreaming to bring changes to the society. Podium's aim is to show how the world looks in the eyes of a Bangladeshi student and through this platform will be able to touch millions to bring greater change in the society.
Podium focuses on students more than the guest speakers. Podium holds regular monthly sessions where students and a guest speaker are invited to speak on a topic. Also, they can talk on their own topic if they want. The difference between Podium and other platforms is that any student from any university, school or college can come and speak. Also, the members meet the guest speaker and get hands on learning. In last two and a half years Podium accommodated 1842 student-speakers, 4000+ audience and 100+ guest speakers from around the world. Podium speakers believe that by this practice they will be benefited in four ways- they will be able to upgrade public speaking skill, enrich their work experience, take part to make social change and get the chance to brand Bangladesh. One of the Podium speakers said, 'This is the best ever platform for the youth. They should come up with more sessions for not only business background but also for the people from all background.'
Raihan, while sharing his adversities during the initial days of Podium, said, 'I remember we used to hold our sessions under open sky as we didn't have a specified place. Podium grew very rapidly so we faced hostility from other organisations. We are still running on our own funding as we do not have any sponsorship. It's really hard to take things forward keeping everyone happy. The hardest part was managing human resources. But I am also blessed with great teammates who made the ride smoother. Being tensed about Podium every day has become a common thing for me. Hardly a day goes by when I don't have to worry about the sessions or funding or events etc. But guess this is what makes this job more challenging and attractive.'
The most recent milestone that Podium achieved is its expansion beyond the country. On March 10, 2017 Podium launched its first international wing in West Fairview Elementary School in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Podium launched another platform named 'Storytellers' where students send their creative write ups to share with the world. Podium is trying to reach every school college and university in Bangladesh to set up Podium wing and develop free speech mindset among students.

The writer is a fourth-year student at Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business Studies in University of Dhaka, [email protected]