Live Correspondent: Mr. M. A. Kashem, eminent industrialist, renowned patron of education, distinguished philanthropist, a dynamic social worker and one of the promoters and founder members of North South University (NSU) has been elected unanimously as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of North South University recently.

Mr. Kashem dreamt of a true knowledge-bearing higher educational institute in the country. He was the person who brought up the idea of private higher education system in Bangladesh.

Mr. Kashem served the NSU BOT thrice as its Chairman before this present assignment. Besides, he has also served as the Chairman of the Endowment Committee of the NSU Foundation several times since its inception.

Mr. Kashem served as the Syndicate Member of Jahangirnagar University and Bangladesh Open University both for two consecutive terms. He was also the former Chairman of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh.

Mr. Kashem is a successful former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI). He was elected for one year but for his excellent contribution, the than Government has extended his term to two years.

He is also the Founder Chairman and Director of Southeast Bank Ltd. a leading Bank in the country.

Mr. Kashem, as a travel enthusiast visited different countries several times. As an FBCCI President and NSU Founder Trustee, he led a number of delegations to various countries of the world.

He was born in Chhagalnia upazilla, Feni to an aristocratic Muslim family.

Mr. Kashem is also associated with various social and philanthropic activities. He is the Founder Chairman of M Kashem Trust, which is aimed at fostering education through providing scholarships and stipends to the underprivileged students in his locality. He founded a modern non-profit hospital named "Tareque Memorial-Ibrahim General Hospital" in Chhagalnia upazilla, Feni, with an aim to provide all kinds of medical facilities to the rural people.

He made remarkable contributions to the export sector and for that he was awarded “President Export Trophy” twice. He was also honored with Long Term and High Tax Payer-2011 award by NBR. In 2019, Mr. Kashem received the “Abu Rushd Memorial Award” for his outstanding contribution in higher education in Bangladesh. He was awarded the “C R Das Gold Medal” in recognition to his notable contribution to the industrial sector.

Dhaka, June-30 (campuslive24.com)//Ait