American human rights activist Malcolm X said, 'Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.' And given the rise in the number of educational institutions and speculating the competition in student enrolment, education exhibitions have become a prominent figure, not only for the institutions but parents and students alike. Where else would they get to meet so many institution authorities under one roof?
Premier Bank International Edu Fest 2019 brought country's leading colleges, universities and educational consultants under one roof at the InterContinental Dhaka on July 06, 2019. It was organised by International Education Consortium of Bangladesh (IECB). The two-day event meant to guide youths on the best academic prospects and student employability available in the country and abroad.
Alam Ara Begum, additional secretary, Ministry of Public Administration (MOPA) acclaimed the Premier Bank Limited for advancing the cause of modern education in the country by holding the expo while inaugurating the event. Premier Bank's Additional Managing Director Md Abdul Jabber Chowdhury and Deputy Managing Director Syed Nowsher Ali were present there.
Improvements in the education system is required since it is reassuring public-private partnerships in education to improve efficiency, increase choices, and make access to formal learning better for the people, especially those living in far-away areas. There is a need for promoting the latest education of science and technology, enhancing the teachers' capacity, and serving youths plan careers.
Mokhlesur Rahman Milton of the expo organising committee said the Premier Bank had been holding the mega educational event across the country annually for the last four years with the mission to provide local youths with information about the programmes of foreign colleges and universities on their doorstep. He said they are establishing connection between Bangladeshi students and foreign universities and ensuring that the students get proper information. The organisers try to help students in visa and admission processes.
Visitors at the annual expo interacted with the representatives of educational institutions and consultants for information about the relevant academic programmes, fee structure, scholarships, and career prospects. A total of 34 foreign delegates from 34 universities across the world--including from Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Sweden and Malaysia-- participated in the exhibition and provided counselling to the visiting students and guardians.
With the country's leading universities participating in the expo, Mohammad Shamim Murshed, SEVP and head of retail banking at the Premier Bank Limited commented that the youths were interested in knowing about science and business courses and the subsequent career options available to them. He said that his bank is providing one stop services for opening student files from their all branches across the country. Moreover, they have dedicated student service centres under 11 branches in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet to serve the students.
The stallholders appreciated the event saying it will help further the cause of modern education in the country. They praised the organisers for holding the event and said they got good responses from visitors in the previous years.
Shahzeen Shams, a university student, said she had explored options for education abroad and found interaction with the representatives of universities to be helpful. Visitor Sher Ali, father of Madiha Ali studying Sociology at Independent University, Bangladesh said it had brought major colleges and universities under one roof to provide youths with information from course contents to acceptance of degrees in job market.
The education fair helped current students and potential master's applicants discover their dream programmes and get a feel of other suitable study options through one-to-one guidance, opportunity to clarify any doubt, exploring the possibilities of financing, knowing about scholarships etc.
Md Zakaria Rahman is serving the Premier Bank Limited.
He can be reached at [email protected]
