The former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon came to Bangladesh for only 24 hours, yet did not forget to meet his friend Professor Vincent Chang, Vice Chancellor and President of Brac University (BracU). Mr. Ban invited Prof. Chang for a power breakfast from his very tight schedule at hotel Intercontinental Dhaka on 10 July 2019. It was a warm and cozy meeting of two friends as well as professionals.
The former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon used to work as a Junior Diplomat Officer of South Korea in India when Bangladesh emerged as an independent state in 1971. He appreciates the nation’s spirit and always keen to visit the country as he shared it with Prof. Chang.
It was like a trip down memory lane as Mr. Ban recalled that Bangladesh and South Korea once signed a diplomatic treaty where he signed the treaty on behalf of South Korea. So that is how Bangladesh is special to him.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Prof. Chang invited him to visit BracU. Mr. Ban’s visit and addressing students will energize youth magnificently, as suggested by Prof. Chang. Mr. Ban immediately expressed his willingness to interact with BracU’s students someday.
Upon knowing Prof. Chang’s vision he also mentioned a possible collaboration between the ‘Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens’ and BracU. It is a Vienna based independent nonprofit organization that offers fellowship and other facilities to students. It may help BracU students to reach out global network which is part of Prof. Chang’s vision.
Mr. Ban gave Prof. Chang the first piece of his new visiting card. He also wrote No. 1 in the card as a token of friendship.
Mr. Ban, the current chair of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) came to Dhaka on a two-day visit to attend the "Dhaka Meeting of the GCA” while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the event.
Mr. Ban held the position of UN chief from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016. This was his first visit to Bangladesh since he left UN.