NSU hosts transformative conference on leadership and nation-building

North South University (NSU), in association with Bangladesh Empowered (BE), convened a thought-provoking conference titled 'Empowering Bangladesh: Pathways to Leadership, Unity, and Growth' on Saturday, (April 19) at their campus. The gathering served as a confluence of distinguished voices—leaders, academics, and policy influencers—united by a shared commitment to shaping the country's future trajectory.

The day-long event created a dynamic platform for dialogue on governance, diplomacy, economic resilience, sustainable development, and youth leadership. Eminent speakers included Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of Finance; Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, economist and academic; Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, senior economist and policy advisor; Rizwana Hasan, adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh; Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh; and Dr Zillur Rahman, executive director of the Centre for Governance Studies and Member Secretary of AB Party Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, among others.

Keynotes and panel discussions centred around the themes of democracy, sustainability, inclusive economic growth, and Bangladesh's evolving role on the global stage. In his keynote address, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir highlighted the urgent need for democratic reforms and participatory governance, emphasising, "We stood united during the Great Liberation War, and once again, we are united in the face of the tragic student shootings of 2024. Just as the nation came together during the mass uprisings of the past, we must now work hand in hand to protect our future. This country belongs to all of us, and our shared responsibility is to secure our future."

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice chancellor of North South University, presided over the conference and remarked, "This conference reflects our university's commitment to creating meaningful platforms where policy meets purpose. We believe in nurturing responsible citizens who can lead Bangladesh into a more equitable and sustainable future."

A highlight of the conference was the launch and presentation of the Ambassador Serajul Islam Future Leaders Scholarship, awarded to exceptional students from North South University and the University of Dhaka. The scholarship honours the legacy of the late Ambassador Serajul Islam and his lifelong dedication to diplomacy, international engagement, and youth empowerment.

The conference concluded with a collective call to action: to reimagine leadership through a lens of unity, pragmatism, and long-term vision. Organisers expressed hope that the forum would become a recurring fixture in Bangladesh's intellectual and civic calendar-one that not only reflects the challenges of the present but also forges pathways toward a resilient and inclusive tomorrow.