NSU Live: The first private university and the number one ranked private university of Bangladesh, North South University (NSU) organized the virtual 23rd Convocation Ceremony on 08 April (Thursday). The Virtual 23rd Convocation Ceremony was broadcasted live on North South University's Official Facebook page and DBC News TV Channel.

Dr. Dipu Moni, M.P. Ministry of Education, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh presided over the Convocation Ceremony and conferred degrees. Mr. Salman F. Rahman, MP, The Private Sector Industry and Investment Advisor to the Prime Minister, was present as the Convocation Speaker. Professor Dr. Kazi Shahidullah, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh. 

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), North South University & Former President of FBCCI Mr. M. A. Kashem were present as Special Guests. Mr. Azim Uddin Ahmed, Freedom Fighter Lion Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Ms. Yasmin Kamal, Ms. Rehana Rahman, Mr. Tanveer Harun, Mr. Aziz AI Kaiser and Vice-Chancellor of NSU, Professor Atiqul Islam were present as Guests of Honor. Prof. Dr. Tanvir Ahmed Khan, Executive Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, NSU was present as the Convocation Marshal and the program was moderated by Mr. Jamil Ahmed, TV Presenter & Director - Public Relations Office, NSU.

 Dr. Dipu Moni said, “Students need to be taught how to achieve lifelong learning. In this fast-changing world, things are constantly changing. The knowledge that is so necessary today may lose its need in the change of time. In order to survive, it may be necessary to acquire new knowledge in order to make a living. So, we have to teach our students how to learn throughout life.

The minister was spoke these as the chief guest at the 23rd convocation of North South University today. She also said, “It may be important for a student to acquire knowledge in a new field even after completing their university education and joining the workplace. Then it is not possible for that employee to start direct education activities at the university level again.

Realizing this need, the government is considering introducing a blended education system. Thinking of making education easier and modern. The Ministry of Education is also working to ensure that age is not a barrier to acquiring knowledge. Emphasizing on blended education and modular education, the Minister reiterated the need to continue online education activities.

Convocation Speaker Mr. Salman F. Rahman said, “As we celebrate your graduation, please do not forget that so many people have, directly or otherwise, made contributions to your life that culminated in your success. Please let us also bear in mind that us, you and me, would not be here today in our respective places, if this land had not become free from the harsh discrimination, we, the Bengali people, faced before 1971.

We were able to gain freedom because of the leadership of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu dreamt of a Sonar Bangla - a prosperous nation free from discrimination, hunger and poverty. Digital Bangladesh has become a reality. Bangabandhu satellite is orbiting in space and plans for a second satellite to be launched soon are in place. Poverty rate has reduced to 22% and extreme poverty has reduced to 11%. With the per capita income increasing it is expected the poverty rate will further reduce. He suggested NSU authority to develop lifetime education programs enabling adults, perhaps NSU graduates, to return regularly to take courses to update their knowledge or even to shift to a new field. He added, It is really up to all of you graduates here today to carry the country to greater achievements in development.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of North South University, Mr. M. A. Kashem said, “During this challenging time, North South University has taken all classes and activities online to ensure that the process of teaching, learning, and research is not interrupted and that students and scholars do not lose their valuable time. Over the past year, we spent almost 100 crores of Taka in the form of financial aid, Covid -19 waivers, and supporting the community.

And now we have graduates like you, who will join forces with us to make this world a better place. Today, NSU is ranked 228 among all the universities in Asia by QS University Rankings and is also ranked globally 351 - 400 by business and management discipline and 601 - 650 by computer science and information systems discipline. According to the UGC report, NSU recorded 1,135 publications, the highest number of publications among all the public and private universities in Bangladesh in 2019. We are on our way to introduce the world's most advanced learning management system, Canvas, which is used globally, including the Ivy League Universities. To encourage more quality research, we have recently introduced “Research Excellence Awards’, recognizing our outstanding researchers from each school and rewarding them accordingly.”

Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. Kazi Shahidullah said, “The University Grants Commission has been working tirelessly towards ensuring quality education in Bangladesh. Even the pandemic could not be an obstacle to the education of the millions of university students in the country. During this difficult pandemic period, the Commission extended its full support to the universities to carry on their teaching online.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Atiqul Islam said, “North South University is engaged in producing competent and ethical graduates with a global outlook. We provide leaders to think globally and capable of leading locally. NSU graduates will be the leaders of tomorrow's Bangladesh. They will be the pioneers in business, controlling and directing our economic progress.”

At this convocation, 4,014 undergraduate and post-graduate students got certificates. This year, 02 meritorious students were awarded the Chancellor's Medal and 08 meritorious students were awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medal.

Abu Mohammad Shabbir Khan from School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (SEPS) spoke on behalf of the graduates.

Among others, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NSU, Prof. M. Ismail Hossain, Prof. Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Dean, School of Business & Economics, NSU, Prof. Dr. Abdur Rob Khan, Dean, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Javed Bari, Dean, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, NSU, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mahmud Reza, Dean (Acting), School of Health & Life Sciences, NSU, Directors of various departments, Department Heads, senior officials and teachers were present at the program. The virtual convocation was also attended by a large number of parents and students through live broadcasts on North South University's official Facebook page and the DBC News TV channel.

Dhaka, 08 April (campuslive24.com)//bsc