On 29 October 2016, BRAC Business School organized an interactive session “Coffee with the CEOs” themed “Bangladesh, a country of opportunities for entrepreneurs and graduates,” for the BBS students currently accomplishing their Residential Semester at the BRAC University Residential Campus in Savar. Around 130 students attended the event, the purpose of which was to provide a platform for students seeking opportunities to gain an insight on the corporate culture as well as receive guidance with their queries regarding their future involvement in the corporate world.
Present at the panel were some of the very prestigious and accomplished individuals- Mr. Stephane Norde, the Managing Director of Nestle Bangladesh Ltd., Ms Rupali Chowdhury, Managing Director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd., Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Professor, BRAC Business School and former Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, Professor Dr. Rahim B. Talukdar, Advisor to BRAC Business School and Dr. Tareque Aziz, Associate Professor and Head of Operations, BRAC Business School.
Dr. Tareque Aziz initiated the session by emphasizing on how important it is to relate what is learned in classrooms to real world knowledge and build a corporate-academic tie up. Dr. Rahim B. Talukdar stressed on the role of the event in allowing students to maintain interaction with the corporate environment. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said “it is important to do business in a socially responsible way and you must remember that empathy is also required to be a leader in your society”
Mr. Stephane Norde, stated that “the most important thing necessary for becoming a leader, apart from being positive, passionate, working in a team and connecting externally, is to make a difference with who you are by using your own unique creativity.” He added that in order to succeed, one must have a good work-life balance, since leaders have intense duties and responsibilities and they need a break once in a while to fulfill their duties well.
Ms Rupali Chowdhury referred Bangladesh being a country full of opportunities and said “it is crucial for you to voice your own ideas since, no matter how great they are, it is no good till they are communicated.” She urged students to find their drivers to excel and to work on their lacking and hence change gradually to achieve their big goal and excel. She further added that “academic knowledge is needed to give you a problem solving mindset. Later in the corporate world, it is your energetic attitude and ability to take up challenges that really matter.”
The event, which ended with an insightful question-answer session, was coordinated by Mr. Saif Hossain, Senior Lecturer, BRAC Business School, with the collaboration of Mr. Rehan Ahmed, Campus Superintendent, BRACU Savar Campus, and their teams.