Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, the country’s finance adviser, encouraged young people to help shape Bangladesh’s future via dreams, hard work, and human values.
“New graduates must be responsible citizens who contribute to national prosperity. On Saturday, you’ll be entering a larger arena. Your responsibilities are great, and you must carry them out with integrity,” he said as the keynote speaker at Stamford University Bangladesh’s Convocation-2025, which took place at the Bashundhara International Convention Centre in the capital.
He highlighted the need for compassion and social responsibility, stating that empathy, cooperation, and a sense of duty to others are required for national achievement. It is insufficient to focus just on one’s own professional development. One must fulfil their responsibilities to community, family, and nation.
He stressed hard work as the key to success, adding, “In my 35 years of professional experience, I’ve worked hard at every step. Nothing happens unexpectedly; hard work is the driving factor behind achievement.
Dr Salehuddin urged fresh graduates to dream big, noting, “A person cannot progress without dreams.” You should start thinking about what you want to do in the future and in which field you will contribute.”
Referring to the growing importance of competition, the Finance Adviser remarked on Saturday that the world is substantially more competitive than it was previously. “We didn’t have such severe competitiveness in our time. “Times have changed; you must prepare and enhance your capabilities.”
He also thanked women, saying that their efforts are vital to their children’s success.
He provided a personal example, stating, “I have one son and one daughter.” I couldn’t help them because their mother took care of everything, including getting the kids to school.
He went on to remark that young people must take up to help Bangladesh acquire a respected global standing. He highlighted the importance of humanity, integrity, and environmental protection, saying, “We only have one planet—it is our duty to protect it.”
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources, also addressed the convocation.
Other speakers included Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Professor Dr Farahnaz Firoz, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Yunus Mia, and Registrar Muhammad Abdul Matin.
In her statement, Convocation Speaker Rizwana Hasan said, “We aspire to a society free of inequality, where politics serves people’s rights and empowerment.” She remarked that developing a fair and just Bangladesh requires positive changes from within. Despite past injustices and difficulties, people’s ambitions have always moved civilisation onwards.
Rizwana went on to warn that, for the sake of the countries and the planet’s destiny, environmental protection and climate change mitigation must now take priority. She challenged everyone to take responsibility for establishing a society that is humane, environmentally sensitive, and supportive of women.
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