Brac Bank–DIU festival highlights cultural branding and start-ups

BRAC Bank and Daffodil International University (DIU) jointly organised 'Oitijjer Haat 2025', bringing together the heritage, craftsmanship, culture, and cuisine of all sixty-four districts under one festival.

This year's theme, "Branding Bangladesh", emphasised how cultural heritage can drive youth entrepreneurship. More than 5,000 student entrepreneurs gained hands-on experience in branding, marketing, customer engagement, and commercial operations, turning theoretical learning into real business opportunities.

The day-long event was arranged by DIU's Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in partnership with BRAC Bank. Held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, the festival served as a platform for rural products, handicrafts, regional delicacies, and folk traditions, alongside branding projects and start-up ideas developed by DIU students.

Professor Dr M R Kabir, Vice-Chancellor of DIU; Professor Mohammad Masum Iqbal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Dr Hamidul Haque Khan, Treasurer of DIU; Jakirul Islam, Head of SME Strategy, Innovation and New Business at BRAC Bank; and Md Mohsinur Rahman, Head of SME Business Support at BRAC Bank, attended the inaugural ceremony on the campus on 23 November 2025. Faculty members, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students from across the country were also present.

Since its inception in 2022, Oitijjer Haat has evolved into one of the university's signature events and is now regarded as a model for cultural branding and youth-led enterprise development.

This year's edition engaged an estimated 70,000 students, alumni, entrepreneurs, and visitors, while giving national visibility to heritage products from every district. The festival created links between rural artisans and youth-led ventures, offering market access to local craftsmanship, and showcasing Bangladesh's cultural richness to wider audiences through digital platforms.

Commenting on the youth-focused programme, Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking at BRAC Bank, said: "BRAC Bank has long supported the development of SME entrepreneurs. Oitijjer Haat is a powerful platform that demonstrates the promise of local enterprise and the creativity of our youth. We will continue to cultivate entrepreneurial dreams among young people, empowering them to become a driving force behind economic growth and prosperity."

Through its partnership with DIU, BRAC Bank aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and reinforce its vision of nurturing innovation, cultural pride and inclusive economic growth across Bangladesh.