2,496 graduates receive degrees at IUB’s 26th convocation

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held its 26th Convocation at the International Convention City Bashundhara on Wednesday, with a total of 2,496 students receiving degrees from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Of the graduates, 2,140 completed undergraduate programmes while 356 earned postgraduate degrees. Five students received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance, while one undergraduate was awarded the All-Rounder Gold Medal for excellence in both academic and co-curricular activities, according to a press release.

Representing the President of Bangladesh and Chancellor of the University, certificates were conferred by Prof. Dr C R Abrar, Adviser to the Ministry of Education. Renowned photographer, writer and human rights activist Dr Shahidul Alam delivered the convocation address, while University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Dr SMA Faiz attended as Guest of Honor.

Addressing the graduates, Professor Dr Abrar said, “Democracy is not an abstract ideal; it has tangible consequences for dignity, rights, justice and opportunity. It does not sustain automatically; it depends on citizens who remain attentive, engaged and willing to act when democratic norms are threatened. Universities play a crucial role in nurturing this sense of responsibility. A university is not merely a place for acquiring credentials; it is a space where judgement is formed, where authority is questioned and where difference between right and wrong is learned and tested.”

Dr. Shahidul Alam said, “You will get your degrees today. You will succeed in material terms. Your parents will rightfully be proud. But for that child in Gaza, for the garment worker who sweats to feed her children, for the migrant worker prepared to risk his life crossing seas to buy land for his family, for the women who were at the forefront of the uprising who has since been erased from a partisan history, for the rickshawala, tokai, for the students who shed blood so we could be free – your privileged life will have little value unless you leave behind a more fair world. One, where they too, rightfully belong. I congratulate you on getting your degree. Now go forth and make it work for humankind, make your footprints matter.”

Prof. Dr SMA Faiz said, “You are stepping into a world that is exciting, fast-changing and full of new possibilities. Remember, it is this university where your mind was trained, imagination broadened, and character was set, and it is this university where you learned to live up to expectations. Every citizen has the capability to distinguish between good and bad, but you – the enlightened and educated – can do it in a much more astute manner.”

Didar A Husain said, “Whatever you have learned today, there has been immense support from your faculty members and administration. Each member of the IUB family worked hard to help you blossom. Today, you are ready to take on any challenge. Your teachers worked very hard to bring you where you are.”

Prof. Dr. M. Tamim said, “Bangladesh needs a new generation of problem-solvers. Climate change, energy security, social injustice, poverty, and economic instability cannot be solved by routine thinking. They demand curiosity, creativity, scientific rigor, and global awareness. With differences of opinion and diversity, we must learn to live in harmony and peace.”

Sajid Bin Mohammad, a Marketing graduate and Chancellor’s Gold Medal recipient, was selected as the valedictorian. Other Chancellor’s Gold Medal recipients were Tasnuva Mahmood (Accounting), Asadullah Ibn Masood and Zahra Alam Liya (Environmental Science and Management), and Nazmoon Nahar (Pharmacy). Ahmad Tousif Jami from the Department of Global Studies and Governance received the All-Rounder Gold Medal.

Awards for outstanding academic performance at the undergraduate level went to Tasfiah Akter Tanjel, Sami Rashid, Raiyan Ahmed, Sidratul Muntaha Ahana, Iqram Hossain Mahboob, and Tahmeed Rezwan Shushmoy. At the graduate level, awards were presented to Md. Zubair Alam Emon, Farzana Islam, Tasmim Fahima Ahmad, Imran Jahan Digonto, Vincent Dip Gomes, and Tamim Talha Redoy.

Students were also recognized for achievements in co-curricular activities. The award for Cultural Activities went to Sk. Salwa Sharara and Roshni Parvin. The Community Service award went to Shahrukh Bin Hannan and the award for Sports Activities went to Md. Tipu Sultan and Maha Murshed.

In the evening, Pritom Hasan, Boga Taleb, IUB Music Club and IUB Dance Club performed in the cultural event.