(from left Md. Abdul Hamid, Hon’ble President of Bangladesh & Chancellor, NSU; Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Education Minister; Dr. A.K. Azad Chowdhury, UGC Chair; Cynthia Ann Mckinney, former Congresswoman & convocation speaker; Ragib Ali, Chair, BOT of NSU Trust; Dr. Amin Sarkar, Vice Chancellor, NSU)
The 17th Convocation of North South University (NSU) was held on 6th March, 2014 at the Convocation Plaza of its own campus in the city. The Hon’ble President, People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chancellor of NSU conferred degrees to 1425 graduating students this year.
Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, The Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Education attended the ceremony as the special guest. Ms. Cynthia Ann McKinney, Former Congresswoman, USA was present as the convocation speaker.
Prof. Dr. A K Azad Chowdhury, Chairman (State Minister), University Grants Commission, Bangladesh; Professor Amin Sarkar, Vice Chancellor, North South University and Mr. Ragib Ali, Chairman, Board of Trustees, NSU Trust delivered speeches in the degree awarding session.
The President in his NSU convocation speech stressed the importance of preparing students with "education for their professions and acquiring higher knowledge”. He added," education does not mean only economic and social development, it also means developing students intellectually" . Students need to have "affection for people, humanity, culture, tradition, knowledge and technology -based techniques" as well as "ethical values and non-communalism, patriotism" and globalization perspectives. He also stressed the importance of faculty research and innovation that was also emphasized by the Minister of Education who spoke about designing time befitting "course curriculum and method of teaching". In the same vein the UGC Chairman emphasized the importance of the students to have "21st century knowledge".
Convocation speaker, Ms. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. congresswoman said “I hope you have learned to think critically; you have been exposed to the needs of society, both local and international. You have analytical skills and knowledge." "Strengthen the foundation of your moral identity and give meaning to your life and society" she said. She also said "when you speak, your argument must be incisive, well-reasoned, committed, impassioned, and yet--tempered - tempered by respect for other views."
Ms. McKinney said to the students "North South University has given you preparation for life. A life of service (and that means leadership), dedicated to solving a community’s problems with commitment, passion, reason, and truth..... And one day, one of you might even become the leader of this country--and you’ll make a difference, too, because you will govern with your heart."
Addressing the students, Ms. McKinney further said "Sometimes, even when you’ve made positive choices, you might have to walk alone. Have the courage to do so. Many of the world’s transformational leaders-rooted in their moral and ethical beliefs-changed their neighborhoods, communities, and entire countries because they dared to believe that they could do so. Even when others didn’t understand them.”
Ragib Ali, Chairman, BOT of NSU Trust in his address to the 1400 plus new graduates said that recently the university has raised faculty salaries to the highest levels in the country and modified teaching load so that faculty can devote more time to research and student learning.
He said that "the university made substantial progress since its modest inception in 1993 with three departments and 137 students. Today, we have 16,000 students enrolled in recently reorganized 16 departments under four schools. We are continuously trying to improve and expand programs and facilities to keep up with the required change".
Dr. Amin Sarkar said "while we enjoy full approval of the University Grants Commission, to enhance educational quality, we are preparing ourselves for both the institutional and program accreditation by the accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Commission of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Currently, we meet 18 of the 22 eligibility requirements of the Middle States Commission for Higher Education, one of the six American bodies, for accreditation of the university as a whole. We are working on, firstly, a substantial general education curriculum in arts and humanities, social and natural sciences, mathematics and computers for all undergraduate students; secondly, a strategic plan, and thirdly, a student learning assessment, and finally, an institutional effectiveness plan. American accreditation is becoming popular in the U.K., Middle East and other countries. We do not want to be left out.
In addition to acquiring competency in the selected subject/major of the bachelor's degree, the general education curriculum is intended to provide/expose students with/to the following:
Communication (written, speaking, and electronic) abilities
Analytical and quantitative skills
Ethical values and social responsibility
Diversity understanding and tolerance
Interpersonal relations and teamwork
International perspectives and sustainability
Use of information technology
Reflective thinking abilities to apply knowledge
The Vice Chancellor stated, “You were trained by faculty members all of whom received overseas degrees primarily from the U. S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. I hope you are equipped with knowledge and ability and we believe in you, so believe in yourself. "