BRAC University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) for initiating academic courses on international trade and business at the university.
According to the MoU, the institutions will conduct joint educational courses like Post Graduate Diploma and Master’s Certificate Programmes as well as Management Development Programmes.
Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin, chief executive officer (CEO) of BFTI, and Professor Dr. Vincent Chang, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, signed the MoU on behalf of the institutions on Sunday.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, also the chairman of the BFTI, was present at the function as the chief guest, says a media release.
Tapan Kanti Ghosh, secretary of the ministry of commerce, joined the programme as a special guest.
Ms. Tamara Hasan Abed, the chairperson of the board of trustees of BRAC University, attended the event as the guest of honour.
Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin said the proposed courses would provide cutting-edge business education to policymakers, businessmen, and university graduates to upgrade their knowledge and skills on international trade.
Dr. Vincent Chang said the initiative would add great momentum in enhancing capacity development on trade and trade-related issues.
Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh expressed his expectation that the BFTI would play its role as a prominent think-tank for centre of excellence on trade and commerce.
He said the proposed BFTI’s Postgraduate diploma (PGD) will provide trade professionals a comprehensive introduction to practical aspects of international trade and business.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi appreciated BFTI and BRAC University for initiating joint educational courses (Post Graduate Diploma, thereafter Masters), training programmes, research on trade, investment and business.
He said to fulfil the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh has made impressive socio-economic progress under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The government has taken proactive steps to prepare the country for a 'graduation with momentum' and a ‘smooth transition' into a new economic environment, he said.
Addressing this issue, he urged to overcome the upcoming trade-related challenges and meet the demand for skilled trade professionals.
He believed that collaboration between BFTI and BRAC University would ensure quality education and contribute to building skilled manpower in the area of international trade & business in Bangladesh.
Ms. Tamara Hasan Abed said the proposed Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) on International Trade & Business would provide trade professionals, business leaders and policymakers a comprehensive introduction to practical aspects and implications of the international trade.
She said BRAC University is always ready to support the government initiatives.
Mr. A.H.M. Ahsan, Vice-Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau; Ms. Maleka Khairunnesa, Additional Secretary (Admin Wing); Md. Hafizur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Export Wing); Md. Hafizur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Director General), WTO Cell; and Md. Monsur Alam, Additional Secretary (Administration Wing) from the Ministry of Commerce participated in the event.
In addition, Mr. Bablu Kumar Saha, Director General (Additional Secretary), Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, Mr. Sheikh Shoebul Alam, Registrar, (Additional Secretary), Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms and Brigadier General Md. Ariful Hassan, Chairman, TCB joined the event.
Moreover, representatives from BRAC University and officials of BFTI attended the MoU signing ceremony.
The ceremony ended with the official launching of the first quarterly newsletter of BFTI, titled ‘Trade for Change’.
