The orientation program for Master of Development Studies (MDS) of Fall 2017 semester was held on Sunday, 10 September 2017 at the BIGD conference room. The program was planned to serve as a briefing session on the nature, structure, and purpose of the MDS degree scheme. BIGD’s Executive Director Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman set the scene by focusing on the broader purpose and pedagogy of higher education, followed by Senior Academic Adviser Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan’s overview of the rationale and design of the MDS scheme. Among others, Dr. Shanawez Hossain, Research Fellow and Mr. Tarikul Alam Sharif, Department Coordination Officer of BIGD spoke on the occasion. A total 23 (Twenty Three) new students – representing diverse and rich professional and academic backgrounds - attended the program.