Ashoka Innovators for the Public in collaboration with BRAC University arranged a panel discussion on "Transforming Child & Youth Years – Reimagine Learning", on 1st October 2016, in BRAC University Auditorium as part of the Ashoka Changemaker Week 2016.
Ashoka in collaboration with BRAC University aims to develop the students to reflect on themselves as an individual changemaker and apply social entrepreneurial learning's to their own lives which will help bring change within the society. The purpose of this collaboration is to break down barriers towards institutional change and foster a campus wide culture of social innovation.
Keeping these objectives in mind this partnership will try to explore an avenue of numerous future possibilities. Building on BRAC's experience of seeking solution to challenges posed by extreme poverty, the partnership hopes to achieve its goal of instilling in students a commitment to working towards national development and progress.
Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman, Ph.D., Dhaka University honored the program as the Chief Guest and Keynote speaker. Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRAC University joined the program as a special guest and panelist.
In his speech among other things, Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman, Ph.D., Dhaka University focused on two particular aspects. ‘’Youth should play the key role in changing the world” and “Youth should overcome all the challenges to make a better world for tomorrow”.
Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRAC University emphasized on developing creative and positive attitude among the youth of the country. He also added that, “Our focus should be on making responsible citizens for the country” and “Students must have critical thinking, good communications skills, empathy, global sense and self awareness. The partnership with Ashoka will bring in the right tools for us to achieve that.
Mr. Shashikumar Velath, Leadership Group Member at Ashoka, Ms. Runa Khan, ED & Founder of Friendship and as well as an Ashoka Fellow (Bangladesh), Ms. Sujala Pant, Deputy Country Director, UNDP–Bangladesh, Mr. Asif Saleh, Senior Director (Strategy) of BRAC & Asia 21 Fellow (2012) also attended the event as panelists. Different stakeholders of BRAC University representing students, alumni, faculty member, and staff were present on this discussion.
Ashoka, an International Organization head quartered in the Washington D.C. has been in Bangladesh since 1988, and has supported over 85 social entrepreneurs through its Fellowship Program. Mr. Abdullah Choudhury (Robin), Country Director of Ashoka Bangladesh mentioned, “We should expose the youth to social problems and enrich their academic experience as active problem solvers”.