10th Convocation

Honorable Chairperson of the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Daffodil International University, Chief Guest, Special Guests, Honorable Vice Chancellor of Daffodil International University, Dignitaries, Graduating Students, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Good Morning!

Let me begin my speech with my personal respect to the martyrs of the language movement of Bangladesh, who sacrificed their lives to protect their mother tongue. Let me also remember those 30 million freedom fighters from Bangladesh and thousands from the supporting Indian army, who made the ultimate sacrifice to liberate this beautiful country from the occupation army. I would also be proud to pay homage to the victims of Bangladesh’s national tragedy, in which the father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his wife, his children and relatives were brutally murdered on the 14th of August 1974.

My Dear Graduating Students!

I appreciate your kind invitation to join the grand event of celebration of your academic achievement culminating in this graduation ceremony. I am humbled by the kind words of introduction inspiring me to speak today. I'm delighted to be here to share in your joy at this fantastic occasion. I first want to congratulate everyone. You have every reason to feel incredibly proud of yourself for accomplishing your goals. Good work! I am certain that you are all eager to receive your degrees and run out into a new world. But I would like to quote cartoonist Garry Trudeau who said, “Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.”

I will fill that role as the Convocation Speaker. I'll try not to sedate you too much. But I must congratulate the families of those who graduated and received certifications today.

Please know that the difference your support made during this process was significant. As your graduates finish this chapter of their lives and get ready for their next steps into a new job, I'm sure you're extremely proud of them. Graduation is one of life’s milestones that signifies coming of age. It marks the end of one stage of life in which you are a learner, and the beginning of a new one in which you are a leader, a doer, and an achiever in the wider society. Some of you have a very solid concept of what you want to do next, a dream and a lot of hope to get you there, while some of you are just shocked that you got to this graduation point at all. I'm sure that most of you have firm plans and have a decent idea of what's coming next. The times ahead are exciting, challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

And now, years later, I'm back at a graduation, but things in my life haven't quite gone as I had hoped.

Usually, life doesn't go according to the plans you make for it. Each of you will go through highs and lows, the difficult and the easy, and, regrettably, there may occasionally be too many challenges and not enough smooth sailing. How you handle both situations will determine your genuine level of success.

There's a good probability that your first job after graduation won't pay you a million dollars as you move on to other challenges. You might not be hired for the first, second, or third, or even fourth job you apply for. It's okay if you never rise to the position of CEO of a top multinational or a smart Corporate in your lifetime. The crucial thing is that you have already begun the process of creating a more optimistic future. Your ability to adjust to change and obstacles has been cultivated via every lesson, lab session, class tests, project work or research, mid-semester and final examinations for the certification you have completed. I know the classes on holidays, or in the evening, or early in the morning at 7am were challenging. However, as you are aware, the world is tough, and nothing will be given to you.

You will need to follow the footprints of some of the high achievers, or active doers, or entrepreneurs, or a visionary like your BoT Chairman, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan; you will need to embark and re-embark on terrains of work and innovation “where angels fear to tread.”

You have made a crucial move toward your prosperous future as well as the advancement of your family and society you live in. You've put in a lot of efforts and spent months developing new skills. Today's complicated and technological environment necessitates knowledge and abilities that weren't necessary in the past. In the end, your educated generation will eventually benefit us all. I'd like to conclude by sharing this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Avoid following possible paths. Instead, venture off the beaten path and leave a trail.”

One of the most crucial tools required to carve your future path is at your disposal today. What matters is what you've learned along the journey up to now and what you do with the education you've received on your path to graduation today, not the certificate itself. Nobody else's future is in your control; it is only yours. Use this chance wisely. I wish you luck in all of your upcoming pursuits.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. In the name of Almighty Allah- The most Benevolent and the most Merciful. Honorable Chairman of the 10th Convocation of Daffodil International University, Convocation Speaker, Special Guests, Dignitaries, Graduating Students, Parents/Guardians, Ladies and Gentlemen Aas-Salamu-Alaiqum and a very good morning to you all.

Let me begin my speech by remembering those martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect our mother-tongue on the 21st of February 1951. Let me also remember those three million martyrs in the War of our Liberation in 1971. Let me also remember the supreme sacrifice that the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with his family and relatives made during the tragic events of the 14th of August in 1974.

Ladies and Gentlemen! We are all together here today at an exceptional time of joy, glory, and fulfillment. I'd like to welcome you all at the 10th Convocation of Daffodil International University's 10th Convocation by congratulating the graduates for their diligence, the parents who supported them through their sacrifices, the faculty who guided them through their entire study period, and the management staff who provided excellent support and cooperation and truly made DIU a Center of Excellence! It is therefore a pleasure for me to get the opportunity to thank you all for the efforts that you have made this solemn celebration happen here and now. Indisputably, earning a degree is a significant life achievement, particularly in the current environment immediately after the Covid-19 crisis globally. We recognize that some of you encountered difficulties, and that today you are ready to rejoice in your success. We tried our best to mold you so that you could stretch beyond your comfort zone. Therefore, today, we are successful in putting on record the success episodes of our graduates.

Respected Audience today! The world has brought fundamental changes in the education systems witnessing the turbulence of the pandemic. Daffodil International University has catalyzed innovation in education systems and ensured total digital transformation of its academic systems. We are taking all efforts to develop the modern flagship university, remarkably different in its devotion to access and equity; to the quality of its teaching, learning, research and to meeting national and regional socio-economic needs.” To set the stage for my address, I would like to share a highlight from our recent past because it has so many positive implications for DIU’s future.

The pandemic's turmoil has driven the world to make significant reforms to its educational systems. Daffodil International University was the first to start implementing innovative ideas including Blended Learning, Edu Smart etc. to make sure that all its academic systems are fully digital. Our university wasted no time to embark up on a full operation of online delivery of the curriculum right from the day one. We have been making efforts tirelessly to create the modern flagship university of Bangladesh as we have always dreamt of. This unique seat of learning will be fundamentally different in its commitment to access and equity, standards, and quality, practicality with diversity. I'd like to start my speech by sharing a memorable moment from recent history because it has so many good ramifications for DIU's future.

DIU has incorporated its commitment to sustainability into its research, teaching, and decision-making to generate the success stories of students and developing future nations. To sustainably ensure the efficient operation of our academic ventures and the provisions of high-quality education, DIU has created innovative courses, bolstered academia-industry relationships, expanded international collaboration, integrated innovation and creativity into its educational systems, placed the utmost importance on extra-curricular activities and ensured complete digital transformation of all its delivery systems. By assuring that a Z Generation would have access to all necessary support services and facilities, we attempted to create a comprehensive educational ecosystem. In the recent year, we have been able to produce some amazing success stories. You'll be pleased to know that we won the Bangabandhu Inter-University Sports Competition, and our students were presented the Championship Trophy by the Honorable Prime Minister. Additionally, your friends who participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge won first place globally. We also added a few new subjects, introduced Sports Science, and hosted the AUAP 15th General Conference. In addition to participating in the Bangladesh Education Expo in Dubai, which was a UNDP-sponsored event to create employment opportunities for students, Job Utshob, which attracted more than 200 organizations, received a lot of inquiries from foreign students looking to pursue higher education in Bangladesh. You would certainly feel proud to hear this fantastic news, I'm sure! We participated in the Job Utshob conference, a UNDP-sponsored event where 200+ organizations participated to help students find employment. We also have attended the Bangladesh Education Expo in Dubai because we received a lot of inquiries from international students looking to pursue higher education in Bangladesh. You would certainly feel proud to hear this fantastic news, I'm sure! I am very grateful to all the unsung heroes that helped make this beautiful moment possible today. We are honored to recognize the results of your efforts and dedication.

Dear Graduates, Lessons from history speak high of innovation, collaboration, cooperation, and expected technological progress combined with skilled human resources are critical for addressing complex challenges of life and society. My proud point is that Daffodil International University has taken initiative considering these change factors.

You all know how we have transformed the Red Brick Field to an enchanting Green Campus during the past 21 years. We have brought positive changes in the learning environment. Anyone that visits us here genuinely appreciate the entire campus which have designed as a learning zone. We have redesigned the classroom culture with all facilities equipped with Ed Tech provisions. We have changed the traditional role of education providers to an ‘entrepreneurial’ initiator. We encourage all the students, teachers, and staff to get involved in research focusing on industry demands, so that we can utilize those research data and findings for our onward progress in nation-building mission and contribution to the world of knowledge and skills with an aim to ensure an active contribution to the national economy.

Firstly, DIU gave the highest effort to develop the teaching methodology to ensure that learning takes place effectively. Secondly, we took the initiative to transform from a teaching university to a research university. In the third phase, DIU transformed its identity from Research University to an entrepreneurial university. Phase by phase we upgraded the focus of the university so that we could create meaningful contributions to man and humanity. We also developed support units that can help you to explore your ideas. Our special units are working to develop strong linkages with the industries so that we can help industries to become more productive and bring innovation in the development efforts of our nation and the world at large. All these efforts have been taken considering the demand of the time and unseen competitive future.

The result of our effort is already evident to you. Let me take the opportunity to share some of our success stories.

When I travel around the world, I find our students are working in leading positions of many Global Companies. The news of some of their innovations and creations makes me feel proud. From the east to the west, the north to the south, their presence at different corners of the world gives me the feeling of our global presence. Most importantly, their art of living and art of giving back to society makes me emotional. Maybe this is the exact happiness of our effort.

Dear Go-getters, Therefore, my other area of pride is our DIU Alumni. We shall form a lasting link with one another during today's graduation ceremony. You will join the DIU family as an alumni member. You've already seen what a powerful network we have on national and international level. Our Non-Resident Daffodil Alumni have held formal gatherings in the past years in the UK, Canada, USA, Australia, and Finland. We also had a fantastic gathering in the UAE in 2022. We were pleased to witness DIU alumni's leadership, accomplishments, and position in the UAE. You have already learned about the unique platform "Somporko" that helps maintain our closeness as it was throughout your time at DIU. Following the amazing portrayal of your fellow members around the world, you are entering into a new professional life as world citizens and make us proud. We expect you to contribute to society, the community, and the nation. Because Allah has given you the potential and purpose for your life. Your caring mentors will lead you every step of the way to support you in reaching your destination. I believe you have a strong foundation of professional skills and industry knowledge, thanks to the Employability 3600 program. Many of the Webinars, Scholarship Opportunities, and International Programs we provided have already been explored by some of you. Many international universities, associations, and professional networks are connected to us. Our international office works around the clock to assist you to reach international career goals. This is another reason to be encouraged that our international network serves as a lively hub for guiding you to your goal.

We established relationships with well-known companies and organizations for you to engage in global collaboration and opportunity exploration. You can accept the challenge and gain from the same opportunities that students from other countries do. We are now fostering the Z Generation, and the Alpha Generation will join us in the upcoming days to explore the opportunities we will then be providing. We are building our university with the Alpha Generation in mind. We are aware that their expectations and the way they learn, and work will significantly change. The job economy will also undergo a significant change. We are concentrating on developing our services and learning environment on that. The Innovation Lab, Venture Capital Ltd, Daffodil Business Incubators, knowledgeable, Coworking Space, Marketing Lab, 4IR Lab, and lab-based teaching and learning methodologies have previously been shown to you so that we may enhance your abilities and guarantee your competences.

Valued Parents, We are confident. You would be pleased to know that our students participate in serving groups, and as a result, 85% of our Alumni are hired by Daffodil Family to fill various positions including leadership. They are pioneers and leaders guiding the organizations in this technology-driven sector, and we were able to make this happen by developing executives who are tech savvy and committed to achieving education 4.0. We provided GoEdu and IOU, two dynamic venues for Alumni to contribute their knowledge, expertise, and experiences. You are experiencing great joy today as your children finally receive their recognitions, which serve as a testament to their hard work at DIU. We appreciate your sacrifice and patience for your children in embarking up on a long academic journey at their university. You sympathetically assisted our efforts through the most critical times, particularly in the Covid-19 years. We admire your continued faith in us. Thank you!

The Adorable Audience! Now, we are getting ready for the future. preparing for the transformative revolution. We have already arrived at the point where we are having a discussion on Man vs. Robot! On the other hand, the pandemic scenario has provided us an opportunity to reevaluate higher education and write a new chapter. Daffodil International University is currently putting all its attention on developing "Doers and Leaders" who will drive innovation and provide answers for society in order to establish a sustainable present and promising future for the planet.

Finally, My Dear Graduates! I have faith that all of you will work hard to build an inclusive, sustainable, and better future for everyone. Always strive to be focused in your goal, modest in your success, strong while facing difficulties, and stay connected to DIU on your next professional path.

ওরে নবীন, ওরে আমার কাঁচা,
ওরে সবুজ, ওরে অবুঝ,
আধমরাদের ঘা মেরে তুই বাঁচা।
রক্ত আলোর মদে মাতাল ভোরে
আজকে যে যা বলে বলুক তোরে
সকল তর্ক হেলায় তুচ্ছ ক'রে
পুচ্ছটি তোর উচ্চে তুলে নাচা।
আয় দরন্ত, আয় রে আমার কাঁচা

। In the end, congratulations to you all once again!