Mohammad Nurul Huda 
Poet and Director General, Bangla Academy

We just left behind the month of February, when the Language Movement took place, and now we are in March, when that Liberation War started. We have to talk about language as well as liberation. Bangladesh has been approaching becoming a developed country. We hope we will reach it soon.  

My friend Mahfuz Anam spoke of knowledge and wisdom … you will be the creator of that new knowledge. I am referring to Alfred Tennyson, who said, "Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers, and I linger on the shore, And the individual withers, and the world is more and more".

Today, we are arguing the same thing in a new format. We are arguing not only about the tangible, but also on intangible cultural expressions. The first instance of intangible cultural expression is language. So, everything comes from language ... the mother tongue."

As we have the highest respect for Bangla, we also have to have the same respect for other mother languages all over the world. This subcontinent is a land of plurality. Here in Bangladesh, there are many languages which have been dying. We have to protect them, and have to preserve them. If we can't preserve them, they will be lost. So we need immediate steps to preserve those languages.

Mahfuz Anam
Editor and Publisher, The Daily Star

We are so elated that the event is taking place after two years because of the Covid-19 situation. Why are we so happy? Because through this event, we celebrate success, brilliance and determination.

Number of achievers for this year is highest ever despite the pandemic. You have made us proud. I would like to thank and congratulate the schools, teachers and parents.

We pray that each of you become a symbol of success for humanity. I have to say to you that getting a certificate, getting an award is only but the end of your journey, but the journey is far more important.

Education means learning, it means a lifelong curiosity for knowledge. It never ends. Knowledge is very important. But along with knowledge, you must have courage.

Because knowledge without courage is just a skill. But knowledge with courage is wisdom, it is the change maker and is the future builder.  You must value character, value ethics, value honesty, value truth. This can be the most important guiding light for your life.

I would like to say that each of you must aspire to be the most qualified person in your profession. You must also remember that however successful or famous you are, you have an obligation to your country, your society, your friends and your parents,

You must remember to build your country. The country, its people, Bangla language and culture must be in your heart.

Robert Chatterton Dickson
British High Commissioner in Dhaka

  It's a huge pleasure to be here at the event to recognise students.

Education is by far the best investment you can make.

And I know that your families have put a lot of effort into getting all of you here today.

But, I think the scale of what we're seeing here is really fantastic.

[There are] 1,843 O-level awardees and 647 A-level awardees; 69 highest mark holders for O-level in the country; 19 highest mark holders in the world for O-level; and three highest mark holders in the world for A-level.

I think it's fantastic to see what Bangladesh can achieve when the best schools have the best students and they are tested through the world's best exams.

So I would just like to say congratulations to all of you.

Best of luck and best wishes to all of the students as you go on to the next stage of your education.

Thank you very much indeed.

AKM Golam Kibria
Chairman, AHZ Associates

  It's a great privilege to be a part of this celebration of success, brilliance and achievement of the young talents of our nation.

You made it possible through your dedication and hard work. You have started a new journey and a new chapter.

Now, the world lies in front of you. The time has come to set up your goal, a direction in life, and a career path that you are passionate about.

But you have to remember the career you choose should be useful for humanity.

Another thing you have to remember is that you have to believe in yourself.

If you don't believe in yourself, it will be very difficult and hard for you to get success.

Successes are delayed due to inadequate information. You can find our association as a partner in your new journey.

It is working with teams of experts and professionals who can guide you to reach your destinations.  I would like to highlight the issue of migrating for education.

Sometimes we call it a brain drain or it is a game changer. We have to define it clearly and [here] media can play a role.

Shahin Reza 
Country Manager, Bangladesh Cambridge Assessment International Education

  You all are outstanding. Let's put our hands together for all these girls and boys.

We are here to recognise your outstanding results in O- and A-Level examinations.  

Congratulations to you, your families, teachers, friends and everyone who has supported you on this journey.

This is a precious award ceremony for students in Bangladesh.  

And I must say that you are one of the luckiest. I don't think there is any other organisation such as The Daily Star in any part of the world, that organises such an event to celebrate the success of students.

Education that is of truly international quality is key to overcoming global challenges that will help in the path to enlightenment and will encourage you to do your part in shaping the world to be a better place.

You need to be ready for the world. We design our programmes to help you become confident, responsible for yourself, for your community and for the planet.

I hope that truly international quality education and your Cambridge qualification, is key to overcoming global challenges.

Abdullah Al Mamun Liton 
Regional Development Manager, Pearson Edexcel, Bangladesh and Nepal.

  You should be proud of yourselves for achieving this success.  

However, I would like to remind you that while academic success is important, being a good human being is equally or perhaps even more important.

While you celebrate your achievements, please take a moment to think about the children on the streets in our country. They not only lack education, but even just basic necessities.

So, it is your responsibility as privileged individuals to give back to society and help those in need. As you move forward, I encourage you to become an integral part in building this nation.

You were born in a country with many problems left to be resolved. Embrace these challenges and take up the responsibility of making changes in the country.

One thing you should remember is that being a citizen of Bangladesh comes with its own unique advantages and privileges.  We have the longest sea beach in the world, and also natural resources.

We have sea ports and incredibly fertile land that can grow almost anything.  Bangladesh has also produced many graduates who are currently working in global companies.

So, it is up to you to properly plan and utilise it [your talent and success]. Instead of hoping for a miracle, it is up to you to take on the challenges and make changes for yourself and for the country.

Manas Singh 
Chief Executive Officer, STS Capital Ltd

This is a momentous occasion, a testament to your hard work, dedication and commitment towards academic excellence.

Your achievement is not just a reflection of your individual brilliance but also of the support and encouragement from your parents, schools, teachers and loved ones.

You should ideally look for three things now, an institution where you will gain knowledge, where you will get exposure and become employable.

You should aim for a good job or join your business or start your own venture.  That should be the focus for everyone sitting here but also for all the youth in Bangladesh. Now imagine the world's top organisations, universities opening centres here.

And you getting an internationally recognised degree right here. I believe that is something you should explore.

The Daily Star's awards recognising high achievers in O- and A-level is a commendable initiative. Acknowledging and celebrating them inspires others to strive for excellence. This is also a great moment for me to introduce Universal College Bangladesh.

At UCB, we have top universities such as Monash University Pathway programme and the reputed London School of Economics, EMFS undergraduate programmes provided by University of London.

Priyonti Tabassum Haque, 
O-Level graduate, SFX Greenherald International School.

Respected parents, teachers and all beloved graduates, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the class of 2022 at this platform that The Daily Star graciously organises every year.

Firstly, congratulations to all of us for having achieved this coveted success.

We have all been led to this day by the hope and angst with which we had to dive into our very first international examinations.

I still remember the stress and trepidation that everyone, including me, felt that day.

Having had to spend two precious years of our O-Level preparations in front of a screen, with no real motivation to think about the future that we ourselves would have to pave -- it was a grueling triumph to reach this far and be able to claim this recognition.

For this, we have to thank the people around us -- our parents, who are our biggest supporters; our teachers, who mentored us, and, of course, our friends, who never left our sides.

We must all be proud of ourselves but also realise that this is merely level one of the rest of our lives.

Hence, it is imperative that we hold on to the hope which we build in our hearts for the future, to nurture it and let it grow, to fully become the beautiful and inspiring people we can be.

I wish everyone the best of luck.