The second Bangladesh Economics Summit organised by the Economics Study Center kicks off today at the Dhaka University (DU) premises. The event will be held from October 31 (today) to November 02, 2019 and consist of several segments ranging from research paper presentation, policy debate, and panel discussions.
Established in 1973, Economics Study Center (ESC), University of Dhaka is an economics forum led by the students of the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. Currently, Dr MM Akash is the moderator and Dr Shafique Uz Zaman, chairman, is the chief patron. The centre aims to provide a platform for students to actively engage in discussions relating to pressing socio-economic issues, encourage critical thinking and bridge the gap between students and professionals in related fields of research, trade or development. It hopes to ensure that the students can contribute to economic policymaking in future with their knowledge of theoretical and applied economics.
With this vision, in 2018 ESC embarked on the journey to launch its flagship event, Bangladesh Economics Summit. Students from across the country participated in the essay and research paper competition and renowned personalities graced the event, including Dr Binayek Sen of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). This year, the event promises to be grander and even more engaging than before.
The theme of this year's BES is "Ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods: Bangladesh perspective". The paper presentation is based on this very theme with several other subthemes. The theme of the essay competition is "Circular economy". The programme consists of six panel discussions covering a wide spectrum of topics such as quality education, good governance, youth entrepreneurship and skills development, accessibility and affordability of healthcare, women empowerment, and rising inequality in Bangladesh. Professionals distinguished in their respective fields also engage in debate on contemporary economic and political issues in the policy debate segment of the event.
The opening ceremony will begin at 4 pm today (Thursday) at Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, Social Sciences Building, University of Dhaka. Dr Khan Ahmed Sayeed Murshid, director general of BIDS, will be present as the chief guest of the ceremony. The special guests will include Dr Shafique Uz Zaman, chairman, Department of Economics, DU and Dr Nazma Begum, director, Bureau of Economic Research, DU while Dr MM Akash of DU will chair the opening ceremony.
The write is a second year Student at Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. She can be reached at namira.s1610@gmail.com