The Center for Enterprise and Society’s Leadership Talk Series and Seminars bring respected scholars, business leaders, and government officials at ULAB to speak on the challenges and opportunities for enterprise development in Bangladesh
Grooming 101: Dress for Success
The ULAB Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) hosted a symposium titled “Grooming 101: Dress for Success” on November 20, 2024. Guest speakers were Shabab Din Shareq, Founder of Gentleman's Wardrobe and Director at ShopUp, and Kishwar Mubin Chowdhury, Business Head at FranklinCovey shared their insights. They spoke about selecting the perfect professional attire, mastering body language and first impressions. Their expert advice resonated deeply with students preparing for interviews, presentations, and the workplace.
Press release
Networking for Beginners
Zarin Zeba Khan, Development Professional (October 28, 2024)
The ULAB Center for Enterprise and Society hosted a podcast titled "Networking for Beginners", featuring Zarin Zeba Khan, a seasoned expert with 14 years in the development sector. Zarin shared insights and practical strategies for building meaningful professional connections, making networking less intimidating for beginners. With her extensive experience, she guided listeners on cultivating lasting relationships and leveraging networks for career growth. The podcast aimed at equipping newcomers with essential tools for effective networking in today's competitive landscape.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Executive Masterclass on Mental Toughness for Entrepreneurs
Gaj Ravichandra
Co-Founder / Managing Partner, Kompass (October 27, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) at ULAB recently hosted a masterclass titled Mental Toughness for Entrepreneurs, led by Gaj Ravichandra, a high-performance coach and registered psychologist with extensive experience across global industries and elite sports. Held on October 27, 2024, in Dhaka, the event gathered over 30 top executives and startup leaders to explore resilience-building and leadership skills. Through interactive sessions, attendees learned practical strategies to strengthen mental toughness and improve team performance.
Press release
Reforming University Education in Bangladesh (September 1, 2024)
The ULAB Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) and Dhaka Tribune hosted a national civil society dialog titled “Reforming University Education in Bangladesh” on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Bengal Blueberry Hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.
In light of the ongoing environment of reforming various sectors of the country, ULAB CES brought together a diverse group of discussants from academia, corporates, startups, development sector, and human rights activists to discuss our country’s university education reform.
Press release
DSDE Present Bangladesh Reform Roadmap (August 24, 2024)
DSDE, Bangladesh’s number one forum for development sector professionals, supported by the Center for Enterprise and Society at ULAB, organized a meeting of dev sector professionals. The meeting entailed in-depth discussions on various themes and sectors pertaining to development of Bangladesh, with the goal of identifying the most critical challenges and solutions, for submission for consideration by the government of Bangladesh.
Diversity, Tolerance and Society
Abantee Harun
Associate Professor, General Education Department, ULAB (July 11 , 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) conducted a workshop titled “Diversity, Tolerance, and Society” at BM College, Barisal, led by Ms. Abantee Harun, Associate Professor in the General Education Department at ULAB. Over 40 students participated in discussions that explored diversity within their households, neighborhoods, and the broader world. The workshop encouraged critical thinking about societal diversity, the conflicts that can arise from it, and the role of students in fostering peace. Professor Md Humayun Kabir from the Department of Sociology at BM College also addressed the importance of empathy and tolerance in building a harmonious society.
Press release
Preparing Children with Skills for the Future
Waliullah Bhuiyan
Founder, Light of Hope (July 7, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, recently hosted a leadership talk with Waliullah Bhuiyan, founder of Light of Hope, an edtech organization focused on equipping children with future-ready skills. Moderated by Ruhul Kader, editor at Future Startup, the session highlighted Bhuiyan's innovative approaches to education, particularly his use of technology and creative teaching methods. He discussed how he leveraged the Covid lockdown to develop online education materials, ensuring children could continue learning from home.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
How to create multiple income streams (June 9, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, was delighted to host a diverse group of young leaders for the symposium titled "How to Create Multiple Income Streams" on June 9 at the ULAB permanent campus. The speakers provided practical tips and strategies for developing multiple income sources, emphasizing the importance of starting early. The symposium attracted over 100 students who engaged enthusiastically with the topic and posed thought-provoking questions.
Press release
Balancing Technology and Human Skills in an Organizational Context
Mohammad Sabbir Jahangir
Director HR, Perfetti van Melle (May 13, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted a podcast titled “Balancing Technology and Human Skills in an Organizational Context,” featuring Mohammad Sabbir Jahangir, Director of HR at Perfetti Van Melle. With over a decade of experience across industries such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and education, Sabbir shared valuable insights into strategic planning, talent acquisition, and organizational development. His expertise highlighted the crucial balance between technology and human skills in today’s workplace, providing listeners with practical strategies for enhancing HR management and fostering effective organizational practices.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Sufism and Tolerant Traditions of South Asia
Professor Amit Dey
Professor of History, University of Calcutta (May 11, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted an engaging discussion on Sufism and mystical traditions at Bookworm Bangladesh, set in the serene surroundings of Dhaka’s Shahabuddin Park. Featuring Professor Amit Dey from the University of Calcutta, a noted expert in Sufism with strong ties to Bangladesh, the event began with an introduction by ULAB Vice Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman. Moderated by Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Professor Dey explored the historical significance of Sufism, its inherent tolerance and inclusivity, and how it has often been misconstrued. He highlighted the diverse attendance at Rumi's funeral as a testament to Sufism’s pluralistic nature.
Press release
Diversity, Tolerance and Society (May 9, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, partnered with ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) to empower young leaders in promoting diversity and tolerance. The event featured a training session titled "Diversity, Tolerance, and Society," conducted by Abantee Harun, Assistant Professor in the General Education Department at ULAB. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions and activities aimed at enhancing their capacity to advocate for social cohesion, peace, and tolerance within their communities.
Role of HR in Building an Inclusive Workplace
Sayeda Tahya Hossain
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Grameenphone (April 4, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted a podcast titled "Role of HR in Building an Inclusive Workplace" featuring Sayeda Tahya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Grameenphone on 4th April, 2024.
The discussion involved Grameenphone’s initiatives to ensure diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Enhancing Leadership without Entitlement
Md. Rubaiyath Sarwar
Managing Director of Innovision Consulting (March 20, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, recently hosted a transformative seminar titled "Enhancing Leadership without Entitlement," featuring Md. Rubaiyath Sarwar, Managing Director of Innovision Consulting. With over 19 years of experience in international development consultancy, Rubaiyath shared his insights as a global expert in systemic solutions for poverty challenges.
Press release
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
(March 18, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, March 18, 2024 at ULAB Permanent Campus to promote Diversity, Tolerance, and Pluralism among Youth.
The partnership resonates strongly with ULAB’s ongoing 7-year program titled “Building Resilient University” Project. The MoU facilitates the design and implementation of curricular and extracurricular initiatives by ULAB and AAB, specifically targeting grassroots-level youths to raise awareness about social tolerance and pluralism.
Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor of ULAB, and Farah Kabir, Country Director of AAB, signed on behalf of their respective institutions. Also present were Professor Jude William Genilo, Pro Vice Chancellor along with ULAB and AAB team members.
Press release
The State of Online Medicine Delivery in Bangladesh (March 14, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, in collaboration with Future Startup, hosted a panel discussion titled 'The State of Online Medicine Delivery in Bangladesh' on March 14, 2024, live on the Dhaka Tribune.
Online medicine delivery emerged during the height of Covid-19 and has since become a $59 million market, gracefully complementing the fast-growing pharmaceutical sector. The panel will delve into the driving forces behind this evolution, the role of health tech, and explore market realities and future opportunities from the founders' point of view.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and Future Startup signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (February 11, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and Future Startup signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at the ULAB Permanent Campus.
Present at the event were Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor of ULAB, Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Director of CES, Ruhul Kader, Founder of Future Startup, along with other CES team members.
This collaboration aims to support 6 socially-oriented startups through podcasts, digital interviews, and news article features. It marks a significant stride for CES, aligning with its core mission of promoting entrepreneurship and social responsibility as integral components.
Press release
Disability Inclusion in Academic Institutions of Bangladesh (February 5, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, organized a panel discussion titled "Disability Inclusion in Academic Institutions."
Acknowledging the significance of attending to the needs of our diverse students, the event was organized in partnership with Dhaka University, the Department of Communication Disorders. This effort will serve as a foundation for establishing a Diversity Club, an organization headed by students at DU.
Press release
Exploring Diversity Through The Cultural Rhythms Of Sylhet (January 25, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, organized a workshop at Sylhet titled "Exploring Diversity Through the Cultural Rhythms of Sylhet" in collaboration with the Sylhet University of Science and Technology (SUST). Over 40 university students participated in the workshop, sharing their personal stories, addressing challenges, and discussing pathways to create a more inclusive campus environment and society for students from diverse backgrounds.
Press release
Critical Thinking Thought Leadership In Business
Saleh Chowdhury
Cloud Expansion Strategist, Google, USA (January 21, 2024)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, organized a workshop titled "Critical Thinking: Thought Leadership In Business" at ULAB, featuring guest speaker Mr. Saleh Chowdhury, Cloud Expansion Strategist, Google, USA. Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Director, CES, ULAB, inaugurated the event on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the ULAB Permanent campus.
Press release
Meet The Founder A Talk With Ilmul Haque Sajib
Ilmul Haque Sajib
co-founder, Sheba.xyz (December 20, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, recently hosted a webinar titled “Meet the Founder” featuring Ilmul Haque Sajib, co-founder of Sheba.XYZ, as the guest speaker. Moderated by Md Mushfiqur Rahman, the discussion covered Sajib's entrepreneurial journey, the key features and services of Sheba.XYZ, and its impact on the local economy. Sajib shared insights into the challenges faced during the startup phase, the role of technology in transforming service industries, and plans for future expansion and collaborations. With over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, Sajib is committed to innovating service delivery in Bangladesh.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Navigating Diversity Through Cumilla’s Heritage (December 9, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, organized a field trip and diversity workshop on Saturday at archaeological sites in Comilla and Comilla University (CU). ULAB students explored significant historical sites, including Rupban Mura and Nobo Shalbon Bihar, guided by Dr. Muhammad Sohrab Uddin, Chair of the Archaeology Department at CoU. The workshop, themed “Navigating Diversity Through Comilla’s Heritage,” featured distinguished speakers such as Dr. Shohrab Uddin, who emphasized interfaith harmony and the government's efforts to conserve heritage sites, and Mushfiqur Rahman, who shared CES's commitment to promoting diversity. Professor Dr. Mohammed Solaiman highlighted the importance of inter-university partnerships, fostering collaboration and understanding among students.
Press release
Digital Bank in Bangladesh: Opportunities & Challenges (November 17, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and Digital Finance Forum Bangladesh (DFFB), in collaboration with the Singapore-based think tank Global Fintech Institute (GFI) and Global Impact FinTech (GIFT), recently organized a webinar on digital banks. This webinar, “Digital Bank in Bangladesh: Opportunities & Challenges,” was held. The speakers were Rahel Ahmed, MD & CEO (Proposed), Kori Digital Bank; Shyamol Das, chief digital officer, Nagad Ltd; Sajid Rahman, chairman, Digital Bank Plc; and Gazi Yar Mohammed, director, KubeMoney, UK, Co-Founder, and CEO, Dana.
Press release
The Future of AgriTech in Bangladesh (October 28, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and Future Startup recently organized a webinar titled ‘The Future of AgriTech in Bangladesh’ with Tasvir Ahmed Faheem, Founder & CEO of InsureCow, and Sakib Hossain, Founder and CEO, Fashol, as the guest speakers on Saturday. Ruhul Kader, Editor of Future Startup, moderated the webinar. The webinar included a keynote presentation on the AgriTech industry based on an upcoming CES whitepaper authored by Ruhul Kader. It also included a live discussion between Tasvir Ahmed Faheem, Sakb Hossain, and Ruhul Kader.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Skills for Success: Navigating Youth Dynamics in Bangladesh
Tasmiah Rahman
Associate Director of the Brac Skill Development Program (October 21, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, recently organized a Leadership Talk titled “Skills for Success: Navigating Youth Dynamics in Bangladesh” with Tasmiah Rahman, associate director of the Brac Skill Development Program as the guest speaker on Saturday. The discussion focused on the broad-based challenges and opportunities encountered by Bangladeshi youth in their career progression, the evolving job market, and the essential skills required for success.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Digital Banks: A Global Perspective (September 16, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and DFFB organized a Roundtable Discussion titled “Venture Capital and Fundraising Success in Bangladesh.” Experts talked about government support, fundraising, investing, leadership, networking, and social/environmental impact. They emphasized the government's role in startup growth and the importance of leadership and networking to attract Venture Capital funds.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Meet The Founder: A Talk With Sifat Hasan
Sifat Hasan
People and Culture Lead, Klikit (August 22, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, and Future Startup hosted a webinar titled “Meet the Founder” featuring Sifat Hasan, People and Culture Lead at Klikit. Moderated by Ruhul Kader, the discussion explored Hasan's career journey, insights into work culture, and effective hiring practices. Drawing from his experiences in Indonesia, he emphasized the importance of fostering a high-performance culture in Bangladesh's tech industry. With degrees from The University of British Columbia and the University of Surrey, Hasan also shared valuable career advice during a lively Q&A session.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Roundtable Discussion Empowering Graduates For Job Readiness (July 14, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted a Roundtable Discussion titled "Empowering Graduates for Job Readiness." The roundtable was attended by stakeholders from academia, startups, media companies, NGOs, and reputable consulting firms. The event aimed to illuminate gaps in the skills of the current workforce and how best to address them through a finishing school program that enhances graduates’ employability.
Press release
Meet The CEO A Talk With Tasvir Ahmed Faheem
Mr. Tasvir Ahmed Faheem
CEO, InsureCow (July 10, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted an engaging webinar featuring Tasvir Ahmed Faheem, CEO of InsureCow. Attendees gained valuable insights into livestock insurance and management services, focusing on empowering marginalized farmers through real-time data and technology. The event was live on the CES Facebook page and was interactive via Zoom, highlighting innovative solutions for enhancing agricultural resilience.
CES Live
The Kolkata Partition Museum Project: A Talk With Rituparna Roy
Rituparna Roy
Initiator of the Kolkata Partition Museum Project and also an author and academic (April 16, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted a webinar titled “The Kolkata Partition Museum Project: A Talk with Rituparna Roy.” Rituparna Roy is the initiator of the Kolkata Partition Museum Project and an author and academic. At the webinar, she talked about her vision for the Project, which aims to memorialize partition history and highlight continuities between West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Wescale Local Investor Connect Afternoon (April 1, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted the Local Investor Connect event, part of the SARDI WeScale Program. Organized by Bangladesh Angels and the Bangladesh Women Investors Network (BWIN), with support from USAID and DAI Global, the event highlighted 25 talented women entrepreneurs in a 12-week accelerator program.
Born a Muslim: Home Truths about India's Pluralism
Ghazala Wahab
An award-winning author, and editor of FORCE, a magazine that specializes in defense and security issues (March 13, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) and the Center for South Asian Studies (C-SAS), ULAB, co-organized a seminar titled "Born a Muslim: Home Truths about India's Pluralism." The event evaluated, through the lens of history, politics, and culture, the changing nature of religious tolerance in India and its implications for social welfare, economic development, democratic practices, and integration into global society.
Press release
India, that is Bharat shall be a Union of States’: Of Unity in Diversity and Diversity in Unity
Professor Saugata Bhaduri
Jawaharlal Nehru University (March 6, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) and the Center for South Asian Studies (C-SAS) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) co-organized a seminar titled "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States." Of Unity in Diversity and Diversity in Unity" on Monday, March 6, 2023. This was an interdisciplinary seminar designed to explore the roots of pluralism both in India and Bangladesh. The seminar allowed students to understand the values of diversity and tolerance as well as their challenges at home and abroad.
Press release
থাইল্যান্ড ও অন্যান্য শেয়ারবাজারে বিনিয়োগ করছে প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশীরা | The Business Standard
Associate Professor Sajid Amit
Director of Center for Enterprise and Society at ULAB (March 4, 2023)
Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Director of the Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, shared his insight on the Bangladesh stock market on the show “TBS Markets.” He noted that the market fails to evoke the same trust and respect as other stock markets worldwide due to poor corporate governance, insufficient investor literacy, and a lack of maturity in products and the market at large.
TBS Markets Link
Meet The CEO By ULAB - CES
Shahir Chowdhury
CEO and Co-Founder of Shikho (February 26, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) at ULAB hosted a successful webinar titled “Meet the CEO by ULAB-CES,” featuring Shahir Chowdhury, CEO and Co-Founder of Shikho. Broadcast live on the Dhaka Tribune Facebook Page and moderated by Sajid Amit, Associate Professor and Director of CES, the event provided valuable insights into the startup ecosystem in Bangladesh. Shahir shared Shikho's inspiring journey to becoming one of the country’s most popular digital learning platforms, engaging the audience in a dynamic discussion about innovation and entrepreneurship in education.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Prepare Yourself for Workplaces Before Graduation
Associate Professor Sajid Amit
Director of the Center for Enterprise and Society at ULAB (February 26, 2023)
Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Director of the Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) at ULAB, shared valuable insights on the TBS Career Show titled "Prepare Yourself for Workplaces Before Graduation." This informative session focused on bridging the skills gap and equipping students with essential skills and attitudes needed for the evolving workplace. Attendees were encouraged to take proactive steps in their professional development, ensuring they were well-prepared for their careers upon graduation.
TBS Career Link
Bangladesh: Singularly Plural: The Perception and Realities of a Rainbow Nation
Sudeep Chakravarti, Director of the Center of South Asian Studies at ULAB (February 24, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) at ULAB recently held a meaningful bilateral exchange event in India aimed at promoting diversity and pluralism. Hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru University, the event featured Sudeep Chakravarti, Director of the Center of South Asian Studies at ULAB, who shared insights in his talk, “BANGLADESH: SINGULARLY PLURAL”. Students from Bangladesh and India engaged in vibrant discussions about the importance of diversity and the challenges both countries face. This event is part of CES’s “Building Resilient Universities Project,” funded by the US State Department, which focuses on fostering tolerance and understanding among students.
Press release
ULAB Diversity Fellowship Demo Day (February 12, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) conducted ULAB Diversity Fellowship "Demo Day" on Sunday, Feb 12, 2023. Where the top fellowship candidates will present their project ideas to the professional Jury Board.
Their project ideas will explore deeper specifics regarding social concerns, tolerance, diversity, and pluralism, as well as their attempts to increase awareness through innovative ways despite the socioeconomic class, religion, gender identity, ethnicity, and other components of the concept of diversity.
Press release
Entrepreneurship as a Force for Good and Social Improvement
Larry Sullivan
Coins Foundation (February 8, 2023)
The Center for Enterprise and Society and ULAB BBA hosted an event titled “Entrepreneurship as a Force for Good and Social Improvement” featuring Larry Sullivan. In his presentation, Larry, a serial entrepreneur and founder of COINS, shared his insights on leveraging entrepreneurship for social impact. With over 30 years of experience and a track record of founding multiple software companies across the globe, including offices in the UK, USA, Australia, and Dubai, Larry engaged ULAB undergraduates and faculty members in a lively Q&A session. The event fostered a rich exchange of ideas on the role of entrepreneurship in driving social improvement.
Press release
Sustainability Reporting by the Private Sector in Bangladesh: Expectations and Experience (October 29, 2022)
On Saturday, October 29, the Center for Policy Dialog, through its Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh and the United Nations Environment Program Poverty-Environment Action, hosted a national policy dialogue on "Sustainability Reporting by the Private Sector in Bangladesh: Expectations and Experience." Associate Professor Sajid Amit, Director of the Center for Enterprise and Society (CES), attended as a Distinguished Speaker. The Chief Guest was Mr. Saber Hossain, MP, Bangladesh Awami League. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD, convened the event, and the event also included a trigger presentation from Dr. Towfiq Islam, Senior Research Fellow, CPD.
Diversity and Development (October 20, 2022)
The Center for Enterprise and Society hosted an impactful workshop for graduates of the ULAB online course on Diversity and Tolerance. Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Abantee Harun, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions about the challenges to tolerance and the crucial role of diverse societies in achieving sustainable progress. The workshop featured a warm welcome from our esteemed Vice Chancellor, Professor Imran Rahman, and insights from Mr. Sajid Amit, Director of CES. This gathering marked a significant step towards building a vibrant community of changemakers dedicated to advancing diversity, tolerance, and pluralism in our society.
Press release
Mitigating the Dollar Crisis: Policy Recommendations for the Near and Long Term (September 25, 2022)
The Center for Enterprise and Society, ULAB, hosted a symposium on "Mitigating the Dollar Crisis: Policy Recommendations for the Near and Long Term" on September 25, 2022. The event featured opening remarks from ULAB Vice-Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman and a welcome address by CES Director Associate Professor Sajid Amit. Orpita Oysharja, a senior research associate, presented a working paper that ignited an engaging panel discussion with industry leaders, including Sayma Rahman, Sabrina Imam, Md Nafeez Al Tarik, and Asif Khan. The panel explored the economic impacts of the dollar crisis and offered valuable insights into effective policy strategies to navigate current challenges and prevent future crises.
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Diversity and Tolerance in Bangladesh: Challenges And Opportunities (June 22, 2022)
According to a press release issued on Monday, the Center for Enterprise and Society at ULAB organized a workshop titled “Diversity and Tolerance in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities.” The workshop, which took place at ULAB’s Research Building, was for students of external universities, including the University of Dhaka, North South University, BRAC University, AIUB, and IUB. Students from the universities completed the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) by ULAB. The MOOC focuses on promoting diversity and tolerance. During the workshop, Tasaffy Hossain, founder and coordinator of Bonhishikha - unlearn gender, presented an interactive lecture on “Let’s Talk About Power,” and Assistant Prof Abantee Harun of ULAB’s General Education Department later presented a lecture on “Diversity and Tolerance.”
Press release
ULAB CES Leadership Talk: "Career Journey of a Development Practitioner"
Mr. Anirban Bhowmik
Regional Director, Central, and East Africa, Swisscontact (June 2022)
Mr. Anirban Bhowmik is the Regional Director of Central and East Africa for Swisscontact. He is leading Swisscontact’s journey to becoming a resilient organization in the region. Before relocating to East Africa, he was the Country Director for Swisscontact Bangladesh. Anirban designed and managed a large-scale private sector development programme for UK Aid in Bangladesh. As an international development expert, Anirban worked in South and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.
Press Release
Dhaka Tribune Live
"Secret Sauce”: Traits of Successful Start-up Leaders in Bangladesh (April 24, 2022)
The CES Symposium titled “Secret Sauce”: Traits of Successful Start-up Leaders in Bangladesh was broadcast live on the Dhaka Tribune Facebook Page. CES presented a working paper at the event, followed by a panel discussion featuring industry experts who have founded or served as CXOs at successful startups. They shared invaluable insights on the leadership traits essential for thriving in the entrepreneurial landscape. It was an engaging session for anyone interested in start-up success!
Press release
Dhaka Tribune Live
Creating Sustainable Social Change through Diversity and Tolerance (April 21, 2022)
The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh hosted a learning and networking event titled “Creating Sustainable Social Change through Diversity and Tolerance.” The event, organized by the Center for Enterprise and Society (CES), featured opening remarks from ULAB Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Shamsad Mortuza. Guest speakers included Prof Sumon Rahman, who delivered a lecture on building a sustainable information ecosystem, and Assistant Prof Tawhida Jahan, who spoke about diversity and tolerance in everyday life. The event attracted around 90 participants from five universities, fostering discussions on promoting these values in their communities. This initiative is part of an ongoing CES project, which was ranked 39th globally by Wuri Ranking in 2021.
Press release
Faculty Ambassador Orientation (February 25, 2022)
ULAB Center for Enterprise and Society held an orientation for faculty members from Dhaka University, BRAC University, AIUB, and IUB to promote a course on "Promotion of Tolerance and Pluralism through EdTech." This event marked the launch of a faculty ambassadorship program led by the ULAB team, with Ms. Fahmida Rahman from BRAC University as the lead ambassador. The initiative aims to spread awareness and engage other leading universities in Bangladesh to foster a culture of tolerance and pluralism through education technology.
Massive Open Online Courses: Perspectives from India and Bangladesh (February 23, 2022)
ULAB Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) hosted a webinar titled "Massive Open Online Courses: Perspectives from India and Bangladesh." The session featured insights from ULAB Vice Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman, CES Director Associate Professor Sajid Amit, IMPRI CEO Simi Mehta, and Brac University Lecturer Fahmida Rahman. Moderated by CES Project Manager Imran Newaz Khurshid, the panelists discussed the current state and future prospects of the MOOC market in both countries.
Press Release
CES Live
ULAB CES Leadership talk: "The Value of a Liberal Arts Education"
Dr. Omar Amir
MD Geriatric Medicine, General Geriatrics, Brookline, MA Mount Sinai Morningside, and Mount Sinai West Hospitals (December 2021)
Dr. Omar Amir is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and the Medical Director of the Age-Friendly Acute Care Unit at Mount Sinai Morningside. He has first-hand experience dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City when it was the epicenter of the global pandemic. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, he was a faculty member of the Massachusetts General Hospital Program in Rural Health Leadership, a novel fellowship program that provides training to early-career primary care physicians practicing in rural underprivileged communities. Dr. Amir received his MS from Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, and his MD from Stanford University. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College.
Dhaka Tribune Live
ULAB CES Leadership talk: "LDC Graduation and Aspiration for 2041: Perspective of a Private Sector Leader"
Mr. Asif Ibrahim
Chairman, Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) (September 2021)
Asif Ibrahim is the Chairman of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). He is a former President (2011-2012) of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) & former first Chairman of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a Public-Private Dialogue platform to enable policy reforms for an improved investment climate in Bangladesh. Other notable positions he holds include Executive Council Member, UNESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN); Chairman of ESBN Taskforce on Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction; Member Board of Advisers of BRAC Business School, BRAC University; Core Committee Member of Citizens’ Platform for SDGs Bangladesh; Director, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); and Convener, Resurgent Bangladesh, a platform to help develop policies and guidelines for the economic recovery of Bangladesh from the effects of COVID-19. Asif Ibrahim is also the Vice Chairman of Newage Group of Industries, a business house involved in manufacturing and exporting readymade garments, textiles, and plastic products from Bangladesh.
Dhaka Tribune Live
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Leading with Digital Transformation”
Ms. Sonia Bashir Kabir
Founder and Chair, SBK Tech Ventures (February 2021)
Sonia Bashir Kabir is the Founder & Chair of SBK Tech Ventures - a Venture Capital company. She is one of the most prominent business leaders in Asia in tech, startups, and venture capital. She has served as the Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and Laos; and Country Director of Dell Bangladesh. Ms. Kabir was the first female leader to receive the ICT Business Person of the Year Award at the Daily Star ICT Awards in 2019, and she was one of the 10 recipients of the prestigious Microsoft Founder’s Award in 2016 awarded by Bill Gates himself.
Dhaka Tribune Live
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Financial Literacy and Career Development for Bangladesh Capital Markets”
Lanka Bangla Securities (April 2018)
A team of Lanka Bangla Securities consisted of the Head of Alternative Investments, Mr. Mohammad Mahabub Ullah; Mr. Ahmed Kamrul Hasan, Head of Human Resources; Mr. Mehdi Aqif, Manager of business Development; and Mr. Adib Islam Khan, Deputy Manager of alternative Business Development presented an informative session on capital markets in Bangladesh. LankaBanla showcased their Stock Paathshala Platform through which students can do virtual trading and get a deeper perspective on investing.
CES Seminar: “Governance After Rana Plaza: Reviewing the Ready-made Garments Sector after the Rana Plaza Disaster” (April 2018)
The seminar started with a presentation on research findings by Dr. Kazi Mahmudur Rahman, Associate Professor, ULAB, and Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Associate Professor, BRAC University. The research focused on the state of the RMG sector with respect to labor safety and working conditions and progress made since Rana Plaza. This was followed by an expert panel comprising of Ms. Anne-Laure Henry-Greard, Deputy Programme Manager, Ready-made Garment Programme, ILO Country Office in Bangladesh; Ms. Vidya Amrit Khan, Director, Desh Group of Companies; Mr. Mikail Shipar, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of Bangladesh; and Professor ATM Nurul Amin, Chairperson, Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS), BRAC University.
CES Seminar: GP Accelerator Information session – “Startup with GPA” (April 2018)
Startup Dhaka organized an informational seminar on Grameenphone Accelerator Batch 5 at ULAB. The Accelerator program offers 12 Lakh in seed funding, access to co-working space, expert mentorship using Startup Dhaka and GP resources, and a variety of other facilities. The Seminar was presented by a group of GP Accelerator team members, including the CEO of Startup Dhaka, Mr. Mustafizur Rahman.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Human Development for Everyone”
Dr. Selim Jahan
Director at UNDP Human Development Report Office, USA (February 2018)
Prior to his current position since 2014, Dr. Selim served as the Director of the Poverty Division of UNDP (2007-2014), Senior Advisor in the Bureau for Development Policy (2000-2007), Deputy Director of HDRO (1996-2001), and Policy Advisor in HDRO (1992-1996). During his time in HDRO, he was a member of the Core Team that authored nine global Human Development Reports (1993-2001). Before joining UNDP in 1992, Dr. Selim held different positions in universities, both at home and abroad, and served national governments and other international organizations such as ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, and the World Bank. He acted as the Economic Adviser at the Planning Commission of the Government of Bangladesh (1989-90).
CES Leadership Talk Series: “I Can If I Will”
Mr. Mohsin Ahmed
Managing Director of Linde Bangladesh (February 2018)
Mr. Mohsin Ahmed joined Linde Bangladesh Limited in July 2016 as Chief Operating Officer. In January 2017, he was appointed as the Managing Director of the company. Prior to joining LINDE Bangladesh, he was the President at Emami Group for its SAARC Countries’ business operations. Mr. Mohsin Ahmed started his career with British American Tobacco (BAT) under the Trade Marketing & Distribution function. He had been the Sales Director of Nestle Bangladesh from 2003 to 2011, also serving as a Regional Sales Development Manager in Morocco. Previously, Mr. Ahmed served at Unilever from 2000 to 2003 in Sales Operations.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Emotional Intelligence as the Driver of Entrepreneurial Success”
Imran Newaz Khurshid
Manager at Junction Bangladesh Ltd. (October 2017)
Mr. Imran Newaz Khurshid is a certified trainer from Cambridge University of the UK and is an instructor there with a Cambridge Certificate in Teaching and Learning at Services for Professional Education and Enterprise Development (SPEED). He is an Exchange Alumnus of the US State Department and a Program Specialist (as part of Obama’s “Stand with Civil Society” Agenda) at Social Impact 360, empowering US students on entrepreneurship. Currently Mr. Imran is a Manager at Junction Bangladesh Ltd. – an enterprise of Dnet, developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Bangladesh.
CES leads a Workshop at BRAC University on “Building Resilient Universities Project” (October 2017)
A team of faculty members from ULAB visited BRAC University’s Savar campus to conduct a half-day workshop delivering a structured curriculum on the themes of Civic Education, Media Literacy, and Emotional Health for 25 faculty members from BRAC University. This initiative was a part of the partnership agreement signed by ULAB and BRAC University to collaborate under the “Building Resilient Universities Project” (BRUP). The project is funded by a prestigious US-based grant, of which ULAB is the lead implementer.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Gender, Women’s Rights and Climate Change”
Farah Kabir
Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh (August 2017)
Ms. Farah Kabir has been working with ActionAid Bangladesh as the Country Director since June 2007. She is a renowned human rights activist in both Bangladesh and overseas. Ms Kabir has over 20 years of experience in leadership in the development sector. As the Country Director, Ms Kabir has been advocating and contributing to the rights of marginalized and disadvantaged women. She has contributed significantly to climate change adaptation initiatives designed by the UN, including adaptation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they pertain to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change. She has also envisioned and implemented new innovations, such as the first-ever Water Museum in Kuakata.
CES Seminar: “Undergraduate Academic Experience Survey 2016-17” (July 2017)
The objective of the Survey has been to assess student satisfaction regarding their undergraduate academic experience, including their perception of academic value, workload, faculty satisfaction, degree curriculum, and academic well-being, among many others. Expert Panelists emphasized the role of a practical orientation to the curriculum in enhancing learning in universities and further underscored the importance of mental and emotional health, and detailed a range of initiatives to serve students.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “The Journey of an Entrepreneur”
Sylvana Quader Sinha
Founder of Pravaa Health (April 2017)
Founder and MD of Pravaa Health, Ms. Sylvana Quader Sinha, advised governments in Afghanistan as a lawyer, the Middle East, and Asia on governance and legal reform. Ms. Sinha also served as a foreign policy advisor to the 2008 Presidential campaign of then-Senator Barack Obama. She later joined The World Bank, where she worked on judicial reform and human rights in Afghanistan and on other issues, including conflict and development and women’s economic rights in Islam. Ms. Sinha is a graduate of Columbia Law School, where she earned a certificate from the Parker School of Comparative and International Law.
Press release
CES Seminar: “Shopper Survey on E-Commerce in Bangladesh” (January 2017)
In light of the exciting growth prospects of e-commerce in Bangladesh, the Center for Enterprise & Society (CES) conducted a research study to assess the existing state of perceptions, usage trends, and demand among retail shoppers in Bangladesh. This event marks the inauguration of this report to industry leaders and stakeholders. The report also includes strategic recommendations to address e-commerce value chains and business development in Bangladesh.
CES Seminar: “State of the Bangladesh Economy FY 2015-16 and National Budget FY 2016-2017″
Professor Mustafizur Rahman and Tawfiqul Islam Khan
(June 2016)
Professor Mustafizur Rahman is an economist and currently the Executive Director of CPD. In addition to teaching at Dhaka University, he was a visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow at Oxford University and Warwick University, UK, and a Senior Fulbright Fellow at Yale University, USA. He was a member of the Panel of Economists for the 6th and 7th FYPs.
Towfiqul Islam Khan is an Economist and currently a Research Fellow at CPD. In 2008, he received the Australian Leadership Award (ALA) to pursue post-graduation at the University of Melbourne.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “The Inspirational Journey of PRAN: From Local to Global”
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury
Deputy Managing Director of PRAN-RFL Group (June 2016)
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury is the Chief of Operations and Deputy Managing Director of PRAN-RFL Group. Guided by his father's vision, Mr. Khan has led the company from its growth state to its present dominant stage locally and globally over the last 22 years. With 65% local market share and 400 million customers in 124 countries, PRAN-RFL has been awarded the government's Best Exporters award for the last 10 consecutive years.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “The Road to Middle-Income: Bangladesh’s Growth Story”
K Mahmood Sattar
Banking Professional (November 2015)
Mr. Sattar has around 33 years of experience in the Bangladesh banking sector, including his stint as the CEO and MD of City Bank and Eastern Bank and his directorships at reputed organizations such as the Association of Bankers Bangladesh, BRAC Bank, and bKash.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “E-Commerce in Bangladesh: History and Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunities” by Rezwanul Haque Jami, IT Sector Specialist (December 2016)
Mr. Jami is a finance graduate of Dhaka University who subsequently developed a career in IT and is well regarded for his contribution to the value-added services (VAS) space, both for his pioneering work for TeleTalk and, more recently, as the National VAS Consultant for the Government’s A2i program. He also has experience working in the IT sector in Thailand.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “A Critical Analysis of Trend and Direction of the Retail Industry in Bangladesh.” by Christopher Echivard, Retail Market Specialist (March 2016)
Christopher Echivard's professional career spans 30 years and 7 countries. He has worked with global household names in retail, such as Marks & Spencer, Carrefour, and Tesco. Mr. Echivard has fifteen years of broad-level experience as Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Operation Officer, and CEO. He later shifted from his dual degrees in law to a career in retail.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Roads Less Traveled” by Roy Clunie, Social Entrepreneur (March 2016)
Roy Clunie had an interesting career leading up to his social enterprise adventures. Leaving school at 16, he was involved in a Farmer’s cooperative for 9 years and then a printing company for 25 years. Managing to set up Atlantis, a social health organization, Mr. Clunie proceeded to set up others like it: H2O, Healthy Options, Youth Charity, World Garden Project, and Social Enterprise Academy.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Oil Drives the World But – Who Drives Oil?” by Mustafa Hanif, Petroleum Industry Specialist (December 2015)
Mr. Hanif started his career at Royal Dutch Shell as a graduate entrant where he worked from 2000 to 2012, in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His experience covers all segments of the oil industry: from exploration and production to refining distribution and chemicals. In 2013, he moved to Saudi Arabia as a senior advisor at a Saudi Arabian National Oil Company
CES Leadership Talk Series:” Think BIG” by Shehzad Munim, Managing Director of BATB (October 2014)
Mr. Shehzad Munim is the first Bangladeshi MD of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) Limited. He joined as a Territory Officer and went on to become the youngest MD of a multinational company in Bangladesh. He has been serving at BATB for the last seventeen years.
CES Seminar on Transfer Pricing (April 2014)
Ziad Rahman has over a decade of experience in Transfer Pricing, which includes six years at the Australian Taxation Office and six years at one of the Big Four accounting firms in Singapore and in Australia. Md. Shabbir Ahmed, Joint Director of the Central Intelligence Unit and Coordinator of Transfer Pricing at the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and Towfiqul Islam Khan, Research Fellow, Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), also actively participated in the seminar as discussants.
CES Leadership Talk Series on Effective Leadership by Kamran Bakr, Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh (March 2014)
Kamran Bakr is the Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Limited. His talk covered many issues, such as the differences between leaders and managers and how to strike the right balance for effective leadership. His definition of an ideal leader would be “someone with a hard head but a soft heart.”
CES Leadership Talk Series on Entrepreneurship and Society by Selima Ahmad, Founder of BWCCI (October 2013)
Selima Ahmad has 27 years of experience in the private-sector business and founded Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI), the country’s first women’s chamber of commerce, which has helped develop more than 7,000 entrepreneurs. Her talk stressed on the need for entrepreneurship as a means for societal development, highlighting the necessity of good governance in Bangladesh.
CES Leadership Talk Series on International Aid in Bangladesh by Fahmeeda Wahab, Development Practitioner (June 2013)
Fahmeeda Wahab is an international development practitioner with over 26 years of experience, most recently with the Canadian International Development Agency. Her talk explored the advantages and disadvantages of international aid in Bangladesh.
CES Leadership Talk Series on Marketing Communications in Bangladesh by Aly Zaker, Chairman of Asiatic 360 (February 2013)
In addition to being a renowned television personality, Aly Zaker has been a pioneer in Bangladesh’s marketing and communications industry and is the chairman of the business group Asiatic 360. Aly Zaker’s talk offered an example-filled primer for students and the business community on marketing communications in Bangladesh.
CES Leadership Talk Series on SME Financing by Syed Mahbubur Rahman, CEO of BRAC Bank (November 2012)
BRAC Bank was founded in 2001 to provide financing to Bangladesh’s many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which had previously been neglected by both commercial banks and microfinance institutions. In this talk, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, CEO and Managing Director of BRAC Bank, spoke on how BRAC Bank is working to overcome the challenges to providing SME financing.
CES Leadership Talk Series on RMG Worker’s Well-being by Rubana Huq, Managing Director of Mohammadi Group (July 2012)
Rubana Huq, Managing Director of the Mohammadi Group, one of the country’s leading garment manufacturers with over 9,000 employees, spoke on the Perceptions and Realities of a Garment Wallah. She focused her talk on labor issues and challenged the sector to do more for the well-being of its workers.
CES Leadership Talk Series on Growth of Bangladesh’s Economy by Dr. Binayak Sen, Research Director at BIDS (June 2012)
Dr. Binayak Sen, Research Director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies(BIDS), spoke on the last 40 years of Bangladeshi economic development and growth. Dr. Sen argued that despite enormous pessimism in the 1970s, Bangladesh has largely overcome the odds.
CES Leadership Talk Series on Social Responsibility in Business by Syed S. Kaiser Kabir, , CEO of Renata Limited (April 2012)
Syed S. Kaiser Kabir, CEO and Managing Director of Renata Limited, one of Bangladesh’s leading pharmaceutical companies, spoke on social responsibility in business. Mr. Kabir offers a unique perspective, as 51% of Renata is owned by the Sajida Foundation, which is active in microcredit and healthcare.
CES Leadership Talk Series: “Energy Supply Challenges Confronting Bangladesh.” by Dr. Ijaz Hossain, Professor at BUET (March 2012)
Dr. Ijaz Hossain, professor in chemical engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), inaugurated the monthly talk series with a presentation on “Energy Supply Challenges Confronting Bangladesh.”
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