Rise Above All 2025: Bangladesh’s largest public speaking event returns with 9th edition

Rise Above All 2025, the nation's largest and most anticipated public speaking event, is set to be held on October 31 at the KIB Complex in Dhaka.

Organised by Don Sumdany Facilitation & Consultancy, the event serves as a bridge between Bangladesh's leading achievers and its youth, aiming to inspire them to overcome challenges, silence doubt, and pursue meaningful goals. This year's programme follows a month-long activation that reached 35 clubs across 30 universities nationwide.

The 2025 edition, titled Shukhee presents Rise Above All 2025, powered by Mutual Trust Bank (MTB), has Mastercard as the Strategic Partner and Guardian Life Insurance Ltd. as the Associate Partner. Co-sponsors include MSI, Seven Rings Cement, Fit Elegance, DBH, AMA Coffee, Polar Ice Cream, and Monno Ceramic. The event also brings together a wide network of additional partners, such as Turkish Airlines, Yamaha, Emami Group, Creative IT Institute, Chery Bangladesh, Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and many more.

Running from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, the full-day programme will draw thousands of students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the country. The event will feature several prominent speakers, including Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, CEO of Shukhee; Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, MD and CEO of United Commercial Bank Limited; Nasimul Baten, CEO of DBH Finance PLC; Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh; Rezwanul Hoque, CEO of Ismartu Technology BD Limited; Shuvasish Bhowmick, award-winning content creator; Tanzeen Alam, Country Head of Emami Bangladesh; Rubana Huq, Vice-Chancellor of Asian University for Women; and Rubaba Dowla, Country Director of Oracle Bangladesh.

Throughout the day, the event will host a series of engaging panel discussions and adda sessions designed to spark meaningful conversations and highlight real stories of success. Among them are the much-anticipated "Banking Legendary Duo" session featuring Syed Mahbubur Rahman, MD and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank, and Ali Reza Iftekhar, MD and CEO of Eastern Bank PLC. A Women Entrepreneurial Panel will bring together Wahida Sharmin, MD of Fit Elegance; social media influencer Raba Khan; and female boxer Sanjida Jannat. Other sessions include the Mastercard Special Panel Discussion, Mind and Body Session, Tech Adda, Influencer Adda, and discussions on startup, SME, and large business growth.

As part of the festivities, Shukhee will host the final round of its nationwide Push-Up Challenge on stage, a competition that began during university club activations. Winners will be awarded live at the event.

Several renowned figures from Bangladesh's media and entertainment industries — including Zahid Hasan, Arefin Shuvoo, and Tasnia Farin — will join the event to share their journeys and experiences. The day will conclude with a live musical performance by popular rock band Nemesis, powered by United Commercial Bank PLC.

With its theme of perseverance and inspiration, Rise Above All 2025 continues to stand as a national platform for empowerment, learning, and transformation — encouraging the country's youth to rise above limitations and pursue excellence with courage and conviction.