Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) hosted its annual Career and Networking Day on June 12, organized by the Career Guidance Placement and Alumni Relations (CGP&AR) office. The event, which took place on the university campus, attracted participation from more than 100 companies spanning various sectors.

Prominent conglomerates and business groups, bank and non-bank financial institutions, telecom operators, tech companies, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, NGOs, development organizations, media, advertising and digital marketing, startups, and HR and management solutions providers are all represented. 

Notable organizations include Square, ACI, ABC, Ha-Meem Group, Purbani Group, Robi, Bashundhara Group, Doreen Group, Duncan, Nitol-Niloy Group, Renata, Marcio, BRAC IT, Brac Bank, Dhaka Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, City Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Midland Bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, IDLC, LankaBangla Securities, Digicon Technologies, Prothom Alo, DBC News, Augmedix, Magnito Digital, and more.

The theme for this year's event is "Friendraising," emphasizing the importance of building networks among students and their potential future employers. Last year's Career and Networking Day saw similar participation, with over 100 organizations setting up stalls.

Throughout the day, representatives from these organizations engaged with students and faculty members to discuss mutual needs and expectations. Students had the opportunity to drop their CVs at collection boxes located at the stalls.

The opening ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the university campus. Mr. Didar A Husain, Chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees, who spoke as the Chief Guest, said to the students, “Whatever career you pursue, make sure that your heart agrees to that. Don’t be goaded by how much benefit you get, or how much salary you receive. Look at the environment [of the company] and how well you can perform in it.”

Vice Chancellor Tanweer Hasan, PhD, said, “IUB cares about the employability of the students. We feel that to make the students employable, we have to go beyond academic training and that could be in the form of professional etiquettes, and other networking skills. We pay particular attention to that process and we have taken substantial steps in making strides along this line.”

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan, PhD, said, “A whole range of service sectors are diversely represented today at IUB for which we feel honored because you are accomplished professionals in your own areas, and you have responded to our call. Over the last few years, the number of responses to our calls has steadily increased. It shows that there is an increased level of trust in IUB's overall credibility and station.”

To the students, N A M Neyamul Islam, Executive Director and Head of Corporate HR at ABC Group, said, “Your organization won’t leave you when you turn into a human capital for them. Because you are the person generating profit and maximizing it continuously for the company. So make yourself important.”

Ambreen Hassan Serker, IUB alumna and Founder and CEO of Ikigai HR Services Ltd, said, “If we can bring together alumni companies and create opportunities for graduating IUB students to meet them, it will be a great networking platform for making direct connections.”

Sharmeen Islam, Assistant Director and Head of IUB's CGP&AR, said, “Today presents a unique opportunity for the students to engage with leading organizations, to understand the dynamics of various industries and to present their skills and aspirations to potential employers. Every conversation they have today, every resume they submit, is a step towards realizing their career goals.”

Ekattor Television, The Business Standard and Desh Rupantor were the media partners of the event.

BDST: 1409 HRS, JUNE 13, 2024
MSK