Bangladesh Brand Forum and North South University Presents National Education and Innovation Dialogue-2025, Powered by City Bank PLC took place at North South University on Tuesday, 28 January 2025. The event brought together the country’s top academicians, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss the future of education and innovation in Bangladesh, focusing on creating a transformative framework for national growth.
The dialogue was honored by the presence of Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Education & Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest. Professor SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, attended as the Special Guest. The event served as a critical platform to explore strategies for reshaping the education ecosystem, fostering innovation, and driving entrepreneurship in response to Bangladesh’s socio-economic challenges.
The dialogue featured five panel discussions and an exclusive Plenary Session, covering a range of topics, including the future of education, the startup ecosystem, skills development, social innovation, and innovation financing. These sessions aimed to foster collaborative thinking and drive actionable policy recommendations for creating a robust education and innovation ecosystem that integrates academia, industry, and government.
The Chief Guest, Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud shared his insights, stating, “the integration of technology, particularly AI, is crucial for transforming Bangladesh’s education sector. IT technology serves as a great equalizer, breaking barriers of social class and enabling access to innovation. Our students have already proven their potential globally, excelling in robotics and AI-based projects. AI’s ability to make data-driven decisions can redefine industries, and countries that harness AI and gather data will lead the future. Let us embrace this transformation and empower our youth to compete on a global stage.”
Professor SMA Faiz, in his speech, said, “I emphasized the urgent need to align our education system with the needs of our students. We must increase the education budget, exempt private universities from heavy taxation, and invest in facilities and research to truly empower our youth. Collaborative initiatives, like partnerships between public and private universities and links with global institutions, are essential for knowledge exchange. Additionally, flexibility in the education system and better support for faculty and infrastructure are critical. I firmly believe that with bold reforms and collaboration, we can create an education ecosystem that drives national growth and innovation.”
Shariful Islam, Founder & Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, highlighted the importance of collaboration in his remarks, stating, “The National Education and Innovation Dialogue-2025 reflects our vision of transforming Bangladesh into an inclusive and innovation-driven economy. By bringing together thought leaders and decision-makers, we aim to chart a path toward a future that creates opportunities for the youth and addresses the nation’s most pressing challenges.”
Prominent speakers included Iftakharul (Ifty) Islam, Founder & Chairman, Asian Tiger Capital Partners; Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, North South University; Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University; Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor,
Jahangirnagar University; Samuel Mursalin, Director In-Charge, NSU Startups Next (NSUSN); Sam Samdani, Founder & CEO, BQ Alpha Inc. & Interim CEO, QuantumCT; Farzanah Chowdhury, Chartered Insurer, ACII UK, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Green Delta Insurance Company Limited; Razi Amin, Partner, Aspen Capital Solutions LLC; Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General (Trade, Investment and Technology), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Sabbir Nasir, Managing Director, ACI Logistics Limited (Shwapno); Mohammad Oli Ahad, Managing Director, Intelligent Machines; Mohammed Ferdous Yusuf, Chief Human Resources Officer, bKash Limited; Professor Nazlee Siddiqui, Director MBA/EMBA Programs, North South University; Meriame Y, Consultant, Unitas Global Advisory; Muddassar Ahmed, Managing Partner, Unitas Communications; Nawshad Mustafa, Director (SMESPD), Bangladesh Bank and many others.
The National Education and Innovation Dialogue-2025 was organized with a specific focus on education reform, job creation, and inclusive development to prepare the different industries to adapt to innovation. the dialogue sought to address these challenges through meaningful discussions and evidence-based recommendations.
The National Education and Innovation Dialogue-2025 concluded with a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to work collectively in building a knowledge-based economy. Through strategic collaborations, policy reforms, and a commitment to innovation, the dialogue has laid the groundwork for addressing the challenges of today and unlocking new opportunities for a brighter future.
Bangladesh Brand Forum and North South University Presents National Education and Innovation Dialogue-2025, Powered by City Bank PLC was Supported by United Commercial Bank PLC with Asian Tiger Capital Partners as the knowledge partner. The dialogue marks a significant milestone in advancing education and innovation as drivers of Bangladesh’s socio-economic transformation.
