On 7 December, the Bangladesh Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (BACSAF) held a summit to mark the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).
The summit brought together over 170 Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni from Bangladesh to celebrate their contributions to Bangladesh’s sustainable development. The event served as a platform for alumni to strengthen their local Commonwealth Scholarship connections, collaborate, share expertise, and learn more about BACSAF’s advocacy for professional development. Scholar and alumni attendees represented diverse fields and professions, including researchers, academicians, government officials, and entrepreneurs.
Harnessing knowledge and expertise for change
The event was opened by Her Excellency Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh. In her speech, she praised the 65-year legacy of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, recognising the remarkable contributions of the more 1,900 Commonwealth Scholars from Bangladesh. She emphasised the importance of deepening collaboration between the CSC and BACSAF to support future generations of scholars and address pressing global challenges.
“The knowledge shared through the Commonwealth Scholarship has the power to change not just Bangladesh, but the world,” Her Excellency remarked.
Following the opening address, Professor Dr Borhan Uddin Khan, President of BACSAF, delivered a welcome speech. Professor Khan highlighted how Commonwealth Scholarships have shaped the country’s educational landscape and human capital development. He urged scholars and alumni to unite under BACSAF to amplify their collective efforts, raise awareness about Commonwealth Scholarships at the national level and collaborate for sustainable development.
Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, also addressed the gathering, reinforcing the importance of the BACSAF in advancing educational and developmental goals.
Collaborating for success
The event was comprised of group and roundtable discussions, designed to support attendees in sharing high-level insights and in-depth interactive exchanges. The keynote speeches provided strategic vision, while the group discussions offered participants the opportunity to engage, share ideas and collaborate on specific challenges.
The roundtable discussions brought together group leaders to present their findings, generating actionable recommendations for the future direction of BACSAF and Commonwealth Scholarships. This format allowed for a balance of broad perspectives and practical solutions, facilitating a holistic approach to addressing key issues and strengthening the network of Commonwealth Scholars.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Syed M. Istiak, Co-organiser of the Summit and Treasurer of BACSAF. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the CSC for funding the event, the British Council for providing the venue, and to all BACSAF members, volunteers, and media personnel for their tremendous support. The summit ended on a note of renewed commitment among Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni to collaborate towards global development efforts.
Setting new goals
A key outcome of the event was to create a BACSAF Knowledge Hub to leverage alumni knowledge to drive sustainable development. a platform designed to foster collaboration among Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni. This platform is intended to allow participants to share their expertise and contribute to the development of Bangladesh and the global community.
Following the event, there has been an increase in alumni engagement in BACSAF, particularly in the areas of mentorship and collaboration on professional development initiatives. BACSAF has been actively working on expanding its outreach, with alumni offering their expertise to support the creation and development of the Knowledge Hub. Plans for further engagement and activities have been set in motion, including events aimed at strengthening the network of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni.
