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Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan urged the students to take up politics as a career to serve the nation.
He said Bangladesh needs smart and honest people in politics. “If you don't come into politics, the changes we talk about cannot happen,” he said.
He made the remarks while addressing the 17th Convocation of BRAC University as the chief guest on its Merul Badda campus in Dhaka on Thursday, with the theme “Make the Difference” on Thursday.
A total of 2,055 graduates from 34 programmes received their degrees. Of them, two were awarded Chancellor’s gold medals and 28 Vice-Chancellor’s gold medals.
The Chancellor’s gold medals were presented by chief guest Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, whereas Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, handed over the Vice-Chancellor’s gold medals.
“Your future will not be bequeathed to you by others. You have to become the architect of your own future,” said convocation speaker Professor Adam Habib, an anti-apartheid activist and Vice-Chancellor of the SOAS University of London.
“And if you have agency, remember that what you will also require is leverage. There will be many in your paths who will want to be architects of alternative futures,” he added.
Chancellor’s Gold Medal recipient Rana Tabassum delivered a speech as the valedictorian.
She said bringing about change does not require many grand actions; rather, meaningful change begins with small steps, and the initiation of that change must come from individuals themselves.
“The most urgent need in our world now is for understanding and connection,” said Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of BRAC University, in a speech read out by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury.
“The quest for identity that we all share should be the catalyst for that - not for division,” she said.
“Before my father, the founder of this university, passed away - some of his last words were - I am glad my life was not wasted,” said Tamara Hasan Abed.
“I urge you all - to choose a path that will allow you to also say, one day in the future, that your life was not wasted,” she added.
Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan also urged teachers to encourage students to dream of winning the Nobel prize in different subjects.
He said, “In a country of 180 million people, there is only one Nobel Laureate. We don't have any Nobels in subjects like medicine, physics, chemistry, even literature or economics. I urge teachers to instill this dream in the minds of our students."
Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said, “I hope that as you walk through life, you will not forget what we have taught you here, human welfare.”
“You will have to determine the future of this society, country and the world. This is also a kind of challenge for you. We are all unique. As human beings, our job is to use that uniqueness in the service of people,” he said.
He also said change should be used to unite society, to move the entire society forward together.
Another speech of special guest Professor Md Saidur Rahman, Member, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, was read out by Khairul Basher, Director of the Office of Communications of BRAC University.
Professor M Anwar Hossen, Member, University Grants Commission Bangladesh (UGC), also gave a speech as a special guest.