Honorable Chief Guest, Education Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP
Esteemed Chairman, University Grants Commission, Professor Abdul Mannan
Respected Chairperson, Board of Trustees, BRAC University, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG
Celebrated Convocation Speaker, Activist and Social Reformer, Dr. Shahidul Alam, MD, also known for his innovative work at DRIK
Eminent Members of the BoT, The Syndicate, and the Academic Council
Distinguished Colleagues from the Faculty and Administration of BRAC University,
The special band of volunteers from all over BRACU
Special Guests and Well-wishers,
Dear Alumni, families, and friends, including our very good friends from the media, local administration, police and other units
And very importantly – the outstanding graduating students of the 12th convocation
Greetings, good morning, and a warm welcome to all of you on BRACU’s 12th convocation being held on its own premises!
December is a month that will remain forever in our hearts as the month of victory. This victory did not come without a heavy price. Let me, therefore, begin by remembering and commemorating our Martyred Intellectuals Day which is tomorrow, December 14th.On this day in 1971 many of our front-line intellectuals and professionals were brutally murdered to cripple us as a nation. The dark forces were defeated and we have persevered as a nation and grown from strength to strength. Let us bestow our respect and reverence to all on whose giant shoulders we stand today as we continue to forge our nation with pride, imagination, diligence and dignity.
To you, the 12th batch of graduates of BRAC University, my warmest congratulations! You have worked hard to arrive at this juncture. You have confronted many challenges, overcome many odds to meet your academic goals. Today is your day for laurels. Don’t rest on them though, because there are greater challenges ahead. I believe you are well-prepared to stride into the future and into interesting times.