Brac University celebrates 17th convocation

BRAC University has held its 17th Convocation at its Merul Badda campus in Dhaka today, Thursday, 27 November 2025, under the theme "Make the Difference".

The event brought together graduates, faculty members, and distinguished guests in a festive atmosphere that highlighted the university's journey and its vision for the future.

A total of 2,055 graduates from thirty-four programmes received their degrees. Of these, two students were awarded Chancellor's Gold Medals and twenty-eight received Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medals. The Chancellor's Gold Medals were presented by chief guest, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, while Vice-Chancellor, Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, handed over the Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medals.

Convocation speaker, Professor Adam Habib, an anti-apartheid activist and 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." He urged graduates to recognise their agency, understand leverage, and remain steadfast in shaping a future aligned with their values.

Chancellor's Gold Medal recipient, Rana Tabassum, delivered the valedictory speech, stating that meaningful change begins with small steps and must be initiated by individuals.

Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of BRAC University, said in a speech read out by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury: "The most urgent need in our world now is for understanding and connection. The quest for identity should be the catalyst for that—not for division." Reflecting on her late father, the university's founder, she said, "Some of his last words were: I am glad my life was not wasted. I urge you all to choose a path that will allow you to say the same."

Adviser, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, encouraged students to consider politics as a career, saying the country needs smart and honest people in public service. "If you do not come into politics, the changes we talk about cannot happen," he said. He also urged teachers to inspire students to dream of winning Nobel Prizes in various fields.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, reminded graduates of their responsibility to uphold human welfare. "You will have to determine the future of this society, country, and the world. Our job as human beings is to use our uniqueness in the service of people," he said, adding that change should unite society and move it forward together.

A speech by special guest, Professor Md Saidur Rahman, PhD, Member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, was read out by Khairul Basher, Director of the Office of Communications at BRAC University. Professor M Anwar Hossen, Member of the University Grants Commission Bangladesh, also addressed the audience.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Sadia Hamid Kazi, Chair of the Convocation Committee and Chairperson of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.