BAU hosts awareness seminar on consumer protection

A seminar on “Awareness and Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009” was held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Sunday, aiming to educate students on their roles and responsibilities as consumers.

The event was held at the conference room of the Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. It was organized by the Mymensingh Divisional Office of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) in association with the faculty.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Taj Uddin, Dean of the Faculty, presided over the seminar. Dr. ASM Golam Hafeez, Professor of Finance and Banking at BAU and Member of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, was present as the chief guest. Mohammad Azizul Islam, Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Complaints and Investigation Department of the DNCRP, delivered the keynote speech. Professor Dr. M. Wakilur Rahman of the Department of Rural Sociology delivered the welcome address.

In his speech, Professor Wakilur Rahman stated, “This is an awareness seminar. We are all consumers, and to ensure our rights, implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Act is essential. Students today will eventually play a role in its enforcement.”

Deputy Director of the DNCRP’s Training and Publicity Subdivision, Afruza Rahman, presented an in-depth overview of the 2009 Act using both verbal explanations and multimedia content to make the session more engaging for the student participants.

Keynote speaker Mohammad Azizul Islam said, “A person is a consumer from the womb to the grave. Rights and duties go hand in hand. The primary duty of a consumer is to stay informed. Offenders who exploit consumers are brought to justice under the law. The Directorate remains alert and committed to ensuring consumer safety.”

A Q&A session followed, where students posed questions and participated in open discussions on relevant consumer issues.

Chief guest Dr. ASM Golam Hafeez in his speech emphasized, “Consumer awareness must come before the exercise of consumer rights. Without awareness, there can be no enforcement. Consumers must take initiative, lodge complaints when wronged, and spread awareness to others. Protecting consumer rights demands a united and collective effort from everyone.”

Faculty members from various departments and students from different faculties of BAU attended the seminar.