A recent conversation with Sajib Hossain, assistant professor at department of Finance, University of Dhaka revealed the importance of professional degrees and ways to obtain them. Sajib Hossain is both a CFA charter-holder and an ACCA affiliate. After receiving the prestigious Full Bright Scholarship, Sajib Hossain has recently left for his next educational pursuit in the USA. Md. Sadid Uddin interviewed him in recent time. Below are the excerpts of the interview:
Question (Q): How crucial are professional degrees for a student nowadays?
Answer (A): The number of professional degree aspirants is growing these days. It's not surprising indeed that market demand from the employers and students' desire to gain competency are the prime reason of surging interest for professional degrees. I feel it's crucial nowadays because such degrees will arm you with both relevant and updated information on your relevant field. Syllabus of most professional degrees are updated regularly. For that, it's no longer a surprise that professional degrees will help you reach the pinnacle of your career.
Q: How much a student have to suffer in job field without a professional degree?
A: It depends on a lot on issues. For entry level jobs, academic results and relevant extra- curricular activities matter mostly. If a student has a professional degree, it's an advantage. To get at the top of hierarchical position of any organisation, professional degrees will give you a competitive advantage.
Q: There are wide variety of professional degrees offered both from Bangladeshi and global bodies. How can a student choose the most suitable one?
A: The answer is 'it depends'. Nowadays, wide range of professional degrees are offered both in national and global fields. Students should pursue degrees in consistent with their interest and need.
Q: What is the role of coaching centre to pursue professional degree successfully? How much necessary is that?
A: There are some coaching centres offering assistance to professional degree seekers. Students nowadays have the option to admit there in case they seriously face trouble in studying. But, with the advent of technology, things have become easier. Most of the study materials are available on internet at this time. So, I don't see any reason for failure of an aspirant student through self-study.
Q: You have professional degrees on both Accounting and Financing (ACCA and CFA). How diversified professional degrees can be helpful? Should students consider taking multiple professional degrees?
A: One plus one is never less than one. Education is all about connecting the dots. Diversified knowledge is not a curse, rather a blessing. When you have knowledge on diversified areas, you understand better how business mechanisms work out. You can respond well to the changing situation of business better than anyone. I find no reason for not considering multiple professional degrees provided that students have the competency and aspiration to afford. There's no end to learning. Learning is never painful if you have a curious mind.
Q: Cost of pursuing professional degree is higher for many students in Bangladesh. Is waiver available? If so, how to avail?
A: Yes, waiver is offered to the students judging both your merits and financial status in most of the professional degrees. In CFA, two kinds of scholarships are offered namely access scholarship and awareness scholarship. You can apply for any of these based on your merit and financial status. Moreover, I am glad to inform my students that even if they fail to manage scholarship, they shouldn't get disheartened. After completion of professional degrees, if they join organisations like Lanka Bangla, BRAC EPL, these organisations will fully refund the whole fee required for CFA, subject to conditions.
Q: In an era of digitalization, how can a student benefit from online learning in case of professional degrees?
A: Surely students can take advantage of online learning. Students can open groups where they can study in groups and ask experts for mentorship. Moreover, websites like coursera.org can be a real boost for professional degrees.
Q: Please suggest something for students interested in professional degrees.
A: There's an old saying, "Essence of education is lost if you learn only for grades or careers." I recommend my students to develop a curious mind. Perfection in learning is always a work-in-progress. It doesn't matter whether you have finished your academic career or not, consider yourself as a lifetime student. Education becomes fun when you study to learn.
The interviewer Md. Sadid Uddin is a final year undergraduate student of Department of Finance, University of Dhaka,
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