Rifad to represent 1.4 billion students as csa vice president

Sheikh Rifad Mahmud of Presidency University has been elected Vice President (Democracy and Participation) of the Commonwealth Students' Association (CSA), marking a major achievement for Bangladesh.

Rifad, currently in his third semester of Computer Science and Engineering, won the election against candidates from India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. Representatives from national student organisations in 56 Commonwealth countries each cast one vote for 10 leadership positions during the election on 11–12 September.

In his new role as Vice President, Rifad now represents nearly 1.4 billion students across the Commonwealth. According to the youth platform yourcommonwealth.org, he is "a young leader from Bangladesh, social change activist, and international advocate whose journey from personal struggles to global influence reflects resilience, empathy, and goal-driven leadership."

Expanding on his leadership, Rifad, who currently serves as CSA's Education Officer and is a member of the UN Youth Advisory Panel in Bangladesh, elaborates on his vision: "Recognizing that many students lack equal opportunities and face financial obstacles to education, I am committed to creating a structured programme. In this programme, students would voluntarily contribute small amounts from their pocket money, forming a dedicated fund designed to support peers whose education is threatened by financial hardship. My ultimate goal is to build a sustainable support system, ensuring that no student is forced to pause or abandon their studies due to lack of funds."

In addition to his roles at CSA and the UN Youth Advisory Panel, the CSA, headquartered in London under the Commonwealth Secretariat, stands as the highest international body representing students of Commonwealth nations. Rifad also serves on the European Union Youth Panel monitoring the "EU Youth Empowerment Fund," the Advisory Board of the Global Student Forum, and as a Youth Observer at the World Food Forum.

In recognition of his activism, organisations nominated him for the International Children's Peace Prize and awarded him the Global Youth Leader Award in 2021.