Dhaka: The 58th convocation of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital on Friday afternoon, where graduates were encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership in an era shaped by artificial intelligence.
According to United News of Bangladesh, addressing the newly graduated undergraduate and postgraduate students, IBA Director Professor Abu Yosuf Mohammad Abdullah emphasized that young people should not limit themselves to chasing jobs; rather, they should focus on creating new employment opportunities. He remarked that in the age of artificial intelligence, it is not enough to simply adapt to change; graduates must also develop the ability to lead change. He posed the question of not whether change will come, but on which side of that change the graduates will stand.
Professor Abdullah urged graduates to not merely follow the economy or wait for opportunities to arrive. Instead, he encouraged them to identify limitations in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and digital finance as areas of potential innovation and growth. He advised the students to create their own paths through new ideas and innovation, expressing his hope for them to become innovators rather than just good executives.
He also highlighted the need for leaders in Bangladesh who can generate new employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic progress. Professor Abdullah reminded graduates that their educational achievements were made possible through the sacrifices and hard work of ordinary people, urging them to move forward with a strong sense of responsibility toward society and the nation.
Former Finance Adviser Professor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, speaking as the keynote speaker, stated that academic knowledge alone is not sufficient. He emphasized the importance of real-life experiences and the ability to confront challenges in shaping a person. He called upon students to contribute to building the country’s future through integrity, competence, and leadership.
In his address as the chief guest, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam noted that the success of IBA students is not only an achievement for the institution but also for the country. He stressed that the new generation must take responsibility for demonstrating leadership, innovation, and competitiveness on the global stage.
At the ceremony, certificates were awarded to a total of 365 students across four academic programmes – BBA, MBA, EMBA, and DBA.