BRACU 17th Convocation urges graduates to ‘Make the Difference’

BRAC University held its 17th Convocation today at its Merul Badda campus in Dhaka with the theme "Make the Difference."

A total of 2,055 graduates from 34 programmes received their degrees. Two students were awarded Chancellor's gold medals, and 28 received Vice-Chancellor's gold medals.

Chief guest Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, presented the Chancellor's medals, while Vice-Chancellor Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar handed over the Vice-Chancellor's medals.

Convocation speaker Prof Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London, told graduates, "Your future will not be bequeathed to you by others. You have to become the architect of your own future."

Valedictorian Rana Tabassum said meaningful change begins with small steps taken by individuals.

Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, in a speech read out by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury, urged graduates to seek understanding and connection. "The quest for identity that we all share should be the catalyst for that -- not for division," she said.

Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan encouraged students to enter politics, saying Bangladesh needs honest leaders. He also urged teachers to inspire students to dream of Nobel prizes in diverse fields.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar reminded graduates of their responsibility to society. "We are all unique. As human beings, our job is to use that uniqueness in the service of people," he said.

Special guests from the University Grants Commission also addressed the ceremony. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Sadia Hamid Kazi, Chair of the Convocation Committee.