NSU SHSS hosts distinguished lecture series on ‘Reflections on the Foreign Policy of a Small Country: The Case of Singapore’

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) at North South University (NSU) organised a seminar on ‘Reflections on the Foreign Policy of a Small Country: The Case of Singapore’.

The seminar was held at the NSU Syndicate Hall, as part of the NSU SHSS Distinguished Lecture Series, according to a media release.  

The keynote speaker was Mr. Mitchell Lee, Chargé d’Affaires, Singapore High Commission in Dhaka.

The session was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of North South University, Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, and moderated by the Treasurer & Pro-Vice Chancellor (In-charge), Professor Abdur Rob Khan.

Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the SHSS at NSU, commenced the discussion with introductory remarks.

He mentioned that Singapore has followed a pragmatic policy crafted by S. Rajaratnam, the first Foreign Minister.

He noted that Singapore has built its foreign policy based on its economic might and faith in multilateralism and international law.

His Excellency Mitchell Lee shared the fundamentals of Singapore’s foreign policy, which included multilateralism and embracing globalisation while maintaining relevance and creating a political and economic space for the nation.

He also discussed the bilateral relations, trade, and investments with Bangladesh, such as the Free Trade Agreement, which is in the pipeline for the second half of 2026.

Professor Abdur Rob Khan observed that exchanging ideas encouraged a better international understanding and positive diplomatic relations for Bangladesh and Singapore as part of a mutually beneficial partnership.

During the Q&A session, faculty members and students engaged with the guest speaker on Singapore’s specific policy measures, mainly its strategies for ‘creating political and economic space’ and its emphasis on ‘being relevant’ as a small state and the challenges and vulnerabilities to multilateralism.

The discussion naturally glided towards the bilateral relations with Bangladesh and the prospective Free Trade Agreement.

Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury said, “Today’s lecture has provided a valuable opportunity to grasp the complex realities of international relations and foreign policy. Singapore’s journey offers a remarkable example of how a small state can establish itself as both effective and exemplary globally through strategic thinking, good governance, and a value-driven approach. Its robust education system and emphasis on long-term planning have been key to its success.”

He also noted that such events help cultivate analytical thinking and a global perspective among students, the release adds.