NSU hosts Dialogue on Singapore’s Strategic Global Vision and Bangladesh Ties
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) at North South University (NSU) convened a distinguished lecture entitled 'Reflections on the Foreign Policy of a Small Country: The Case of Singapore' at the NSU Syndicate Hall.
The event featured Mr Mitchell Lee, Chargé d'Affaires of the Singapore High Commission in Dhaka, as the keynote speaker. The session was chaired by NSU Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, with moderation by Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Treasurer and Pro-Vice Chancellor (In-charge).
Opening the seminar, Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of SHSS, reflected on the pragmatic foundation laid by Singapore's first Foreign Minister, S. Rajaratnam, whose vision centred on economic strength, multilateralism, and respect for international law as pillars of the city-state's foreign policy.
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Mr Mitchell Lee eloquently outlined Singapore's strategic embrace of globalisation, multilateral cooperation, and the delicate balance of maintaining political and economic space for a small nation on the world stage. He highlighted ongoing bilateral initiatives between Singapore and Bangladesh, including the anticipated Free Trade Agreement expected in the latter half of 2026, which promises to deepen economic ties.
Professor Abdur Rob Khan emphasised the value of such exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening diplomatic relations, describing the seminar as a stepping stone towards enhanced partnership between the two nations.
The lively question-and-answer session saw faculty and students engage on topics ranging from Singapore's policies on political relevance and economic space creation to its navigation of multilateralism's challenges and vulnerabilities. The conversation naturally circled back to the promising Bangladesh-Singapore bilateral relationship and trade prospects.
In his closing remarks, Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury lauded the lecture as a rare opportunity to delve into the nuanced realities of international relations. He praised Singapore's strategic foresight, governance, and educational excellence as exemplary factors in its global stature, encouraging students to cultivate analytical thought and a broadened global perspective through such events.
In the timeless spirit of learning, this distinguished lecture resonated as a beacon illuminating the art of small-state diplomacy, a testament to the power of vision and perseverance in shaping a nation's destiny.
