Diplomatic Correspondent August 2015
The Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) on Thursday celebrated the first anniversary of the establishment of its resident representative's office in Bangladesh, said a press release.
AKDN Resident Representative Munir M Merali hosted an Imamat Day reception.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the function at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara.
http://www.thedailystar.net/city/akdn-c ... ary-120844
Bangladesh Institutional Activities
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mahebubchatur
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Prior to this appointment, Merali served as AKDN resident representative to Tajikistan and as the CEO of Aga Khan Foundation in Islamabad.
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http://www.thedailystar.net/print_post/ ... rief-32866
Imamat Day reception marks first anniversary of AKDN representative office in Bangladesh
TheIsmaili.org
13 August 2015
Dhaka, 30 July 2015 — Government leaders and members of the diplomatic corps joined Aga Khan Development Network staff and volunteers for an Imamat Day reception at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.
The event also marked the first anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the AKDN Resident Representative in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
“This reception helps to raise awareness and provide broader exposure of the work of AKDN in Bangladesh, across the region and around the world,” said Munir M. Merali, the AKDN Resident Representative in Bangladesh. It coincided with the Jamat’s celebration on 11 July of the 58th anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ascension as the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
Some 200 guests attended the event, which was held in the social hall of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, including the Chief Guest, His Excellency Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
Ambassadors, senior government officials, representatives of international donor and developmental agencies, members of civil society, business leaders, AKDN staff, and members of the Ismaili community enjoyed the warm hospitality and welcome provided by the AKDN and local community leaders and volunteers. The Aga Khan Development Network has a historic presence in Bangladesh, having worked for over three decades in early child development, pre-tertiary education and financial services.
Guests learnt about some of the AKDN’s global initiatives — including the Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park in Toronto, and projects of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture — and about the honours that were accorded to Mawlana Hazar Imam during the past year, such as the Council of Europe’s North-South Prize and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian decoration.
The Imamat Day celebrations also marked nearly two years since the AKDN Protocol of Cooperation was established with the government of Bangladesh. Signed in Dhaka by the Foreign Minister, Her Excellency Dr Dipu Moni and Mawlana Hazar Imam in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the protocol provides a framework for collaboration in the areas of social, cultural and economic development.
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/i ... bangladesh
Admin,
It would be better to change the topic to "Bangladesh Institutional Activities."
TheIsmaili.org
13 August 2015
Dhaka, 30 July 2015 — Government leaders and members of the diplomatic corps joined Aga Khan Development Network staff and volunteers for an Imamat Day reception at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.
The event also marked the first anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the AKDN Resident Representative in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
“This reception helps to raise awareness and provide broader exposure of the work of AKDN in Bangladesh, across the region and around the world,” said Munir M. Merali, the AKDN Resident Representative in Bangladesh. It coincided with the Jamat’s celebration on 11 July of the 58th anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ascension as the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
Some 200 guests attended the event, which was held in the social hall of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, including the Chief Guest, His Excellency Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
Ambassadors, senior government officials, representatives of international donor and developmental agencies, members of civil society, business leaders, AKDN staff, and members of the Ismaili community enjoyed the warm hospitality and welcome provided by the AKDN and local community leaders and volunteers. The Aga Khan Development Network has a historic presence in Bangladesh, having worked for over three decades in early child development, pre-tertiary education and financial services.
Guests learnt about some of the AKDN’s global initiatives — including the Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park in Toronto, and projects of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture — and about the honours that were accorded to Mawlana Hazar Imam during the past year, such as the Council of Europe’s North-South Prize and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian decoration.
The Imamat Day celebrations also marked nearly two years since the AKDN Protocol of Cooperation was established with the government of Bangladesh. Signed in Dhaka by the Foreign Minister, Her Excellency Dr Dipu Moni and Mawlana Hazar Imam in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the protocol provides a framework for collaboration in the areas of social, cultural and economic development.
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/i ... bangladesh
Admin,
It would be better to change the topic to "Bangladesh Institutional Activities."
AKDN representative visits HBL stall
Economic Reporter :Munir M Merali, the Resident Representative of The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) recently visited the first-ever 'Banking Fair Bangladesh 2015' and the Habib Bank Ltd. stall at Bangla Academy in the city. The objective of the Banking Fair was" To build a banking nation" through financial inclusion of unbanked people.HBL Bangladesh showcased their various products and services at the Banking Fair. Merali exchanged his views with Bank's representatives and visitors as well. He highly appreciated Bangladesh Bank's initiative to bring all the banks, financial institutions and service providers under one umbrella to create a banking nation. Habib Yousuf, RGM, HBL Bangladesh and Md. Muniruzzaman Molla, Head - Country Operations was also present on the occasion to receive Merali.The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities. The organisations that are part of the AKDN include Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Education Services, and Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. In Bangladesh, AKDN is represented by Munir Merali as the Resident RepresentativeHabib Bank Limited is majority owned by The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). The Government of Pakistan privatized HBL in 2004. AKFED acquired 51 per cent of the Bank's shareholding and the management control. The remaining 41.5 per cent shareholding by the Government of Pakistan was divested in April 2015. AKFED continues to retain 51 per cent shareholding in HBL while the remaining shareholding is held by individuals, local and foreign institutions and funds including CDC Group Plc which holds 5 per cent and International Finance Corporation which holds 3 per cent HBL's first branch in Bangladesh was opened in 1976. The Bank now has 7 branches covering Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.
http://thedailynewnation.com/news/75491 ... stall.html
Economic Reporter :Munir M Merali, the Resident Representative of The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) recently visited the first-ever 'Banking Fair Bangladesh 2015' and the Habib Bank Ltd. stall at Bangla Academy in the city. The objective of the Banking Fair was" To build a banking nation" through financial inclusion of unbanked people.HBL Bangladesh showcased their various products and services at the Banking Fair. Merali exchanged his views with Bank's representatives and visitors as well. He highly appreciated Bangladesh Bank's initiative to bring all the banks, financial institutions and service providers under one umbrella to create a banking nation. Habib Yousuf, RGM, HBL Bangladesh and Md. Muniruzzaman Molla, Head - Country Operations was also present on the occasion to receive Merali.The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities. The organisations that are part of the AKDN include Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Education Services, and Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. In Bangladesh, AKDN is represented by Munir Merali as the Resident RepresentativeHabib Bank Limited is majority owned by The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). The Government of Pakistan privatized HBL in 2004. AKFED acquired 51 per cent of the Bank's shareholding and the management control. The remaining 41.5 per cent shareholding by the Government of Pakistan was divested in April 2015. AKFED continues to retain 51 per cent shareholding in HBL while the remaining shareholding is held by individuals, local and foreign institutions and funds including CDC Group Plc which holds 5 per cent and International Finance Corporation which holds 3 per cent HBL's first branch in Bangladesh was opened in 1976. The Bank now has 7 branches covering Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.
http://thedailynewnation.com/news/75491 ... stall.html
Growing engagement of Aga Khan Institutions in BD lauded
Dhaka- Bangladesh on Thursday appreciated the growing interest and involvement of Aga Khan Institutions in various sectors that are contributing to institutional development of Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam conveyed appreciation to Prince Amyn Aga Khan while attending the opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Office of the Resident Representative in Dhaka.
Shahriar said he looked forward towards strengthened relations between the government and the AKDN, building on involvement of the Aga Khan in Bangladesh since the 60s.
Following the presentation of his credentials to the Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali as Aga Khan’s Personal Representative to the government of Bangladesh, Prince Amyn Aga Khan welcomed the State Minister for Foreign Affairs to the opening ceremony of the AKDN Office of the Resident Representative.
Welcoming Shahriar Alam, Prince Amyn said the opening of the AKDN Office was both historic and symbolic. “It is historic because it reaffirms the Aga Khan’s and the AKDN’s continued commitment towards collaboration with the government of Bangladesh and the diplomatic and donor partners,” he said.
Prince Amyn said it serves as testaments to reaffirming the common, enduring commitment towards the improvement of a better standard of living for all peoples of Bangladesh.
He mentioned that it is symbolic because it demonstrates the AKDN’s long- term commitment towards Bangladesh as an emerging area of promise, potential and opportunity.
While exchanging pleasantries, Shahriar Alam welcomed Prince Amyn Aga Khan to Bangladesh and felicitated him on his appointment.
Among the dignitaries present in the program included the High Commissioners of the UK and Canada, the US, German and French Ambassadors along with other Heads of missions, donor and development organizations, including SIDA, DFID, DFATD, and the UNDP and the ADB.
http://en.sylheteralap.com/category/nat ... -bd-lauded
Dhaka- Bangladesh on Thursday appreciated the growing interest and involvement of Aga Khan Institutions in various sectors that are contributing to institutional development of Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam conveyed appreciation to Prince Amyn Aga Khan while attending the opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Office of the Resident Representative in Dhaka.
Shahriar said he looked forward towards strengthened relations between the government and the AKDN, building on involvement of the Aga Khan in Bangladesh since the 60s.
Following the presentation of his credentials to the Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali as Aga Khan’s Personal Representative to the government of Bangladesh, Prince Amyn Aga Khan welcomed the State Minister for Foreign Affairs to the opening ceremony of the AKDN Office of the Resident Representative.
Welcoming Shahriar Alam, Prince Amyn said the opening of the AKDN Office was both historic and symbolic. “It is historic because it reaffirms the Aga Khan’s and the AKDN’s continued commitment towards collaboration with the government of Bangladesh and the diplomatic and donor partners,” he said.
Prince Amyn said it serves as testaments to reaffirming the common, enduring commitment towards the improvement of a better standard of living for all peoples of Bangladesh.
He mentioned that it is symbolic because it demonstrates the AKDN’s long- term commitment towards Bangladesh as an emerging area of promise, potential and opportunity.
While exchanging pleasantries, Shahriar Alam welcomed Prince Amyn Aga Khan to Bangladesh and felicitated him on his appointment.
Among the dignitaries present in the program included the High Commissioners of the UK and Canada, the US, German and French Ambassadors along with other Heads of missions, donor and development organizations, including SIDA, DFID, DFATD, and the UNDP and the ADB.
http://en.sylheteralap.com/category/nat ... -bd-lauded
Prince Amyn presents credentials as Mawlana Hazar Imam’s personal representative to Bangladesh
http://www.theismaili.org/prince-amyn-p ... bangladesh
TheIsmaili.org
8 December 2015
Prince Amyn travelled to Bangladesh last week, where he presented his credentials to the government as Mawlana Hazar Imam’s personal representative. During the three-day visit, he also toured the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka and met with Jamati and AKDN leaders.
Dhaka, 4 December 2015 — Prince Amyn departed Bangladesh today, following a three-day visit to the country during which he presented his credentials to the Government of Bangladesh as the Personal Representative of Mawlana Hazar Imam. He also toured the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka and met with Jamati and AKDN leaders.
The presentation ceremony took place at a meeting with the Honourable Foreign Minister, His Excellency Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 December 2015.
In accepting his credentials, Minister Mahmood Ali welcomed Prince Amyn, and congratulated him on his appointment. The minister expressed his gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam for his ongoing support towards the development of Bangladesh.
Prince Amyn thanked the government for its support, adding that the Aga Khan Development Network looks forward to building upon its long and historic presence in Bangladesh. He noted that AKDN has worked for over five decades in a number of sectors integral to Bangladesh’s development, including early childhood development, pre-tertiary education, and financial services. The Network, he said, is also exploring the possibility of expanding its programmatic portfolio into areas such as tourism and the preservation and promotion of culture.
Later that afternoon, in his first official capacity as Personal Representative, Prince Amyn received the His Excellency Mohammed Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and High Representative of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, at the newly-established AKDN Diplomatic Office in Dhaka.
Minister Alam participated in the inaugural reception of the Diplomatic Office, which was attended by a number of ambassadors, development partners and AKDN and Jamati institutional leaders. The minister commented that his government looks forward to further strengthening relations between the government and AKDN. As a symbol of the mutual respect between the government and the Network, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali hosted a dinner in honour of Prince Amyn.
On Friday, Prince Amyn visited the site of the proposed Aga Khan Academy and adjacent Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara, Dhaka, where he was welcomed by the Aga Khan Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Bangladesh. After touring the Jamatkhana and Centre, Prince Amyn met with the Jamati leadership before members of the Jamat bid him farewell.
Prince Amyn and the AKDN delegation then proceeded to the airport, where they were bid farewell by Ismaili Council President Rai Sulaiman Ajanee and AKDN Resident Representative Alijah Munir Merali, as well as other AKDN and Jamati institutional leaders.
http://www.theismaili.org/prince-amyn-p ... bangladesh
TheIsmaili.org
8 December 2015
Prince Amyn travelled to Bangladesh last week, where he presented his credentials to the government as Mawlana Hazar Imam’s personal representative. During the three-day visit, he also toured the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka and met with Jamati and AKDN leaders.
Dhaka, 4 December 2015 — Prince Amyn departed Bangladesh today, following a three-day visit to the country during which he presented his credentials to the Government of Bangladesh as the Personal Representative of Mawlana Hazar Imam. He also toured the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka and met with Jamati and AKDN leaders.
The presentation ceremony took place at a meeting with the Honourable Foreign Minister, His Excellency Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 December 2015.
In accepting his credentials, Minister Mahmood Ali welcomed Prince Amyn, and congratulated him on his appointment. The minister expressed his gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam for his ongoing support towards the development of Bangladesh.
Prince Amyn thanked the government for its support, adding that the Aga Khan Development Network looks forward to building upon its long and historic presence in Bangladesh. He noted that AKDN has worked for over five decades in a number of sectors integral to Bangladesh’s development, including early childhood development, pre-tertiary education, and financial services. The Network, he said, is also exploring the possibility of expanding its programmatic portfolio into areas such as tourism and the preservation and promotion of culture.
Later that afternoon, in his first official capacity as Personal Representative, Prince Amyn received the His Excellency Mohammed Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and High Representative of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, at the newly-established AKDN Diplomatic Office in Dhaka.
Minister Alam participated in the inaugural reception of the Diplomatic Office, which was attended by a number of ambassadors, development partners and AKDN and Jamati institutional leaders. The minister commented that his government looks forward to further strengthening relations between the government and AKDN. As a symbol of the mutual respect between the government and the Network, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali hosted a dinner in honour of Prince Amyn.
On Friday, Prince Amyn visited the site of the proposed Aga Khan Academy and adjacent Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara, Dhaka, where he was welcomed by the Aga Khan Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Bangladesh. After touring the Jamatkhana and Centre, Prince Amyn met with the Jamati leadership before members of the Jamat bid him farewell.
Prince Amyn and the AKDN delegation then proceeded to the airport, where they were bid farewell by Ismaili Council President Rai Sulaiman Ajanee and AKDN Resident Representative Alijah Munir Merali, as well as other AKDN and Jamati institutional leaders.
'Bangladesh can be a hub of nursing education'
Sheikh Shahariar Zaman -
Bangladesh has immense prospect for health education and it can be a hub of nursing training with proper recruiting policy, faculty and leadership development, said Yasmin Amarsi, professor and founding dean of School of Nursing and Midwifery Aga Khan University East Africa. Amarsi, who visited Dhaka recently, felt that Bangladesh has qualified nurses but with more structured system, it can render better services. Amarsi, who is engaged in this profession for the last four decades, came to Dhaka to assess how Aga Khan Development Network can help Bangladesh in developing nursing profession. - See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... e6eZL.dpuf
In an exclusive interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Amarsi said at least 500 nurses in Bangladesh have masters degree and there are some who have PhD degree.
Quality, relevancy, access to all and makes a difference are the four principles of engagement of any Aga Khan led initiative and here it would not be exception, she said.
She met government officials and many nurses during her stay in Dhaka.
There is a Nursing Council which governs the profession while nursing association is there to look after their interest and it is very positive picture.
She said with faculty and leadership development, nursing profession can be taken to a new height. Up-to-date curriculum, modern teaching and learning strategy, good university, well qualified teacher and other issues can be addressed under the faculty development programme, she said.
She felt that with the improvement of faculty, many people from outside will come to Bangladesh for study. The world is facing about three million shortage of nurses and Bangladesh can supply a portion of that. She opined that Bangladesh should introduce one-year clinical specialisation diploma programme so that nurses can be specialised on intensive care unit or pediatric or any other areas. About the role of nurses, she said here they can only work in hospitals but the international trend is they can do lot of service in the community. “They can do a lot in research or they can conduct clinic,” she said adding in this way by diversifying, young people would be attracted to this profession. She felt that leadership development is important for the nurses as it will help them to become self-confident, decision maker and able to fight for their rights. She suggested that doctors and nurses should study together in the first two years at the university. In the first two years, doctors and nurses have same basic courses and by studying together, doctors will respect the nurses. Absence of recruitment rule is the biggest challenge of the nursing profession here, she said. Amarsi said AKDN is yet to have a concrete plan in developing the sector. “We are still at the process of assessing,” she said adding: “I will prepare an assessment report and share it with the government.” - See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... e6eZL.dpuf
http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... -education
Sheikh Shahariar Zaman -
Bangladesh has immense prospect for health education and it can be a hub of nursing training with proper recruiting policy, faculty and leadership development, said Yasmin Amarsi, professor and founding dean of School of Nursing and Midwifery Aga Khan University East Africa. Amarsi, who visited Dhaka recently, felt that Bangladesh has qualified nurses but with more structured system, it can render better services. Amarsi, who is engaged in this profession for the last four decades, came to Dhaka to assess how Aga Khan Development Network can help Bangladesh in developing nursing profession. - See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... e6eZL.dpuf
In an exclusive interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Amarsi said at least 500 nurses in Bangladesh have masters degree and there are some who have PhD degree.
Quality, relevancy, access to all and makes a difference are the four principles of engagement of any Aga Khan led initiative and here it would not be exception, she said.
She met government officials and many nurses during her stay in Dhaka.
There is a Nursing Council which governs the profession while nursing association is there to look after their interest and it is very positive picture.
She said with faculty and leadership development, nursing profession can be taken to a new height. Up-to-date curriculum, modern teaching and learning strategy, good university, well qualified teacher and other issues can be addressed under the faculty development programme, she said.
She felt that with the improvement of faculty, many people from outside will come to Bangladesh for study. The world is facing about three million shortage of nurses and Bangladesh can supply a portion of that. She opined that Bangladesh should introduce one-year clinical specialisation diploma programme so that nurses can be specialised on intensive care unit or pediatric or any other areas. About the role of nurses, she said here they can only work in hospitals but the international trend is they can do lot of service in the community. “They can do a lot in research or they can conduct clinic,” she said adding in this way by diversifying, young people would be attracted to this profession. She felt that leadership development is important for the nurses as it will help them to become self-confident, decision maker and able to fight for their rights. She suggested that doctors and nurses should study together in the first two years at the university. In the first two years, doctors and nurses have same basic courses and by studying together, doctors will respect the nurses. Absence of recruitment rule is the biggest challenge of the nursing profession here, she said. Amarsi said AKDN is yet to have a concrete plan in developing the sector. “We are still at the process of assessing,” she said adding: “I will prepare an assessment report and share it with the government.” - See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... e6eZL.dpuf
http://www.dhakatribune.com/health/2016 ... -education
Bangladeshi projects short-listed for Aga Khan architecture award
Bangladesh has global standard architectures that can work in any international projects
Several Bangladeshi projects are among the 20 short-listed projects for Aga Khan Award for Architecture for 2016.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, declared after every three years and the winners get US$1 million prize money and this year it will be declared in the last quarter of the year. Three Bangladeshi projects, so far, won the award.
“Bangladesh has global standard architectures that can work in any international projects,” said Farrokh Derakhshani, director of Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Derakhshani, who recently visited Dhaka to attend the Dhaka Art Summit, said: “I do believe [that they have international standard] and that’s why we hired a Bangladeshi architecture to do the project titled Aga Khan Academy.”
The Aga Khan Development Network is going to build the high profile and international standard academy on 20 acres of land in Dhaka and its design is still underway, he said.
Derakhshani reminded that parliament building and Grameen Bank Housing project won the award in 1989 while another project in which two Austrian and German architects built a house with earth and bamboo in Dinajpur got the award in 2007.
Sharing his experience at the Dhaka Art Summit, he said: “A good number of architectures displayed their works at the exhibition.”
Referring to famous architects Mazharul Islam and Bashirul Haque, he said: “There are some good architect schools in Bangladesh.”
Architecture is important to improve quality of life as the children who live in good house, and good neighbourhood and better building schools are better educated than those who do not enjoy those facilities, he added.
Derakhshani, who has been involved in the profession for over four decades, stated that there should be coordination among different public institutions like public works, WASA, municipality corporations and electricity departments to provide better service to the society.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/20 ... ture-award#
Bangladesh has global standard architectures that can work in any international projects
Several Bangladeshi projects are among the 20 short-listed projects for Aga Khan Award for Architecture for 2016.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, declared after every three years and the winners get US$1 million prize money and this year it will be declared in the last quarter of the year. Three Bangladeshi projects, so far, won the award.
“Bangladesh has global standard architectures that can work in any international projects,” said Farrokh Derakhshani, director of Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Derakhshani, who recently visited Dhaka to attend the Dhaka Art Summit, said: “I do believe [that they have international standard] and that’s why we hired a Bangladeshi architecture to do the project titled Aga Khan Academy.”
The Aga Khan Development Network is going to build the high profile and international standard academy on 20 acres of land in Dhaka and its design is still underway, he said.
Derakhshani reminded that parliament building and Grameen Bank Housing project won the award in 1989 while another project in which two Austrian and German architects built a house with earth and bamboo in Dinajpur got the award in 2007.
Sharing his experience at the Dhaka Art Summit, he said: “A good number of architectures displayed their works at the exhibition.”
Referring to famous architects Mazharul Islam and Bashirul Haque, he said: “There are some good architect schools in Bangladesh.”
Architecture is important to improve quality of life as the children who live in good house, and good neighbourhood and better building schools are better educated than those who do not enjoy those facilities, he added.
Derakhshani, who has been involved in the profession for over four decades, stated that there should be coordination among different public institutions like public works, WASA, municipality corporations and electricity departments to provide better service to the society.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/20 ... ture-award#
Aga Khan Foundation trains pre-primary teachers in Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Aga Khan Foundation has trained a group of Bangladeshi teachers with the “knowledge, skills and attitudes” needed to improve the “quality” of pre-primary teachings.
At least 90 pre-primary supervisors and 14 trainers from the Dhaka City Corporation and four upazilas in Mymensingh district were trained for over nine months, it said in a statement.
The participants were from the government and a number of NGOs, including BRAC, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Phulki, SUROVI and World Vision.
A seminar was held recently “to highlight the results of the training” and emphasise its importance “as a way of improving the quality of pre-primary education”.
Salimah Kassam, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, said supervisors were ultimately responsible for the quality of the teaching and learning.
More at the source: bdnews24.com
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/aga-khan-foundation-trains-pre-primary-teachers-in-dhaka-bangladesh/
The Aga Khan Foundation has trained a group of Bangladeshi teachers with the “knowledge, skills and attitudes” needed to improve the “quality” of pre-primary teachings.
At least 90 pre-primary supervisors and 14 trainers from the Dhaka City Corporation and four upazilas in Mymensingh district were trained for over nine months, it said in a statement.
The participants were from the government and a number of NGOs, including BRAC, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Phulki, SUROVI and World Vision.
A seminar was held recently “to highlight the results of the training” and emphasise its importance “as a way of improving the quality of pre-primary education”.
Salimah Kassam, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, said supervisors were ultimately responsible for the quality of the teaching and learning.
More at the source: bdnews24.com
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/aga-khan-foundation-trains-pre-primary-teachers-in-dhaka-bangladesh/
Ismailis in Dhaka tour an icon of Bangladeshi architecture
Naushad Husein
13 April 2016
At the end of February, a group of Ismailis toured the National Assembly complex in Dhaka. They discovered that the Louis Kahn-designed winner of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architecture remains a formidable presence in the architectural consciousness of Bangladesh.
The erecting of Bangladesh’s monumental National Assembly complex between the late 1960s and its completion in the 1980s must have been an incredible sight. Even today, the colossal structure looks like something out of the future.
Enveloped in a concrete curtain laced with white marble, the Assembly Building itself peeks out only through enormous geometric cut-outs in the façade. Within is a 30-metre high 300-seat assembly chamber, a domed amphitheater and a library. Eight “light and air courts” and a restaurant are interspersed among these spaces, along with entrances to the garden and the mosque.
“The sheer construction of the building is remarkable,” said Sulaiman Ajanee, President of the Ismaili Council for Bangladesh.
Together with 85 members of the Dhaka Jamat, he toured the architectural masterpiece at the end of February. Designed by architect Louis Kahn, the complex was a winner of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The Jamati tour was organised to coincide with the current cycle of the Award, which is expected to be presented later this year.
“This building is a treat to the eye,” said 19-year-old Shabnam Barkat, who along with other members of the Jamat, was fascinated to see the masterpiece. “The outlook of the building itself is so soothing yet so artistic,” she added. “The thrill to explore this ingenious structure increases as we keep going inside.”
The Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban or National Parliament House is located in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka and is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world. The building was commissioned in 1962, and by the time it was completed in 1983, the cost of the building had climbed to 1.3 billion Bangladesh taka (est. USD $32 million), more than double the original estimate.
“For a country like Bangladesh, it may be expensive,” said Dr Abdul Muqtadir, former head of Dhaka University’s Department of Architecture, speaking to the Aga Khan Award reviewers in the 1980s, “but we planners feel it has done profitable things for the country.”
Members of the Jamat gathered in the Parliament Oath Room of the National Parliament House in Dhaka.
Parliament Secretariat / Akhtar Hossain
The Aga Khan Award review in 1989 acknowledges that the project “encouraged the renaissance of architecture as a social and cultural identity” at a time when most of the building work in Bangladesh was carried out by untrained individuals or technical engineers rather than architects. It also promoted the formation of the country’s first school of architecture.
“Back in 1960 there was almost nothing here: no real architecture, no Institute of Architects, no architectural consciousness,” said Bangladeshi Professor Mir Mobasher Ali. An architect’s key design philosophy was to represent Bangladeshi culture and heritage, while at the same time optimising the use of space. “Kahn opened the way.”
The complex is set on 200 acres of landscaped park, with the main building rising from a man-made moat. The buildings situated behind the Assembly Building were built using brick. Kahn wanted to leave the brick exposed, which required high quality masonry.
It is hard to relate Kahn’s work to more traditional Mughal or Hindu themes found in the region. In a 1964 statement, the architect says that inspiration was drawn from “age-old rules that shaped great buildings in answer to the particular character of the light, the wind, the air, the temperature, the water, the materials.”
Addressing the same matter three years later, a chief engineer in the Public Works Department observed that “it may not be possible to exactly know what those great masters of the golden Muslim era would have done if they had the materials and techniques of the modern age at their command. But the originality, purity and honesty that exude from their creations leads one to believe that they would have made use of the present day materials and techniques in their true and pure form.”
Louis Kahn never lived to see the National Assembly complex completed. He died tragically of a heart attack while traveling at New York’s Pennsylvania Station in 1974. The project was completed by David Wisdom and Associates in 1983.
For the people of Bangladesh, the National Assembly is an iconic symbol. Around 2,000 visitors tour the building and its grounds every day, and it is perceived as a positive asset for the country — both for its aesthetic beauty and its architectural uniqueness.
“For Ismailis, it is such a matter of pride that this building has won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture,” said Ismaili Council President Sulaiman Ajanee. “It gives us a real connection to the place.”
http://www.theismaili.org/heritage-expr ... chitecture
Naushad Husein
13 April 2016
At the end of February, a group of Ismailis toured the National Assembly complex in Dhaka. They discovered that the Louis Kahn-designed winner of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architecture remains a formidable presence in the architectural consciousness of Bangladesh.
The erecting of Bangladesh’s monumental National Assembly complex between the late 1960s and its completion in the 1980s must have been an incredible sight. Even today, the colossal structure looks like something out of the future.
Enveloped in a concrete curtain laced with white marble, the Assembly Building itself peeks out only through enormous geometric cut-outs in the façade. Within is a 30-metre high 300-seat assembly chamber, a domed amphitheater and a library. Eight “light and air courts” and a restaurant are interspersed among these spaces, along with entrances to the garden and the mosque.
“The sheer construction of the building is remarkable,” said Sulaiman Ajanee, President of the Ismaili Council for Bangladesh.
Together with 85 members of the Dhaka Jamat, he toured the architectural masterpiece at the end of February. Designed by architect Louis Kahn, the complex was a winner of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The Jamati tour was organised to coincide with the current cycle of the Award, which is expected to be presented later this year.
“This building is a treat to the eye,” said 19-year-old Shabnam Barkat, who along with other members of the Jamat, was fascinated to see the masterpiece. “The outlook of the building itself is so soothing yet so artistic,” she added. “The thrill to explore this ingenious structure increases as we keep going inside.”
The Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban or National Parliament House is located in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka and is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world. The building was commissioned in 1962, and by the time it was completed in 1983, the cost of the building had climbed to 1.3 billion Bangladesh taka (est. USD $32 million), more than double the original estimate.
“For a country like Bangladesh, it may be expensive,” said Dr Abdul Muqtadir, former head of Dhaka University’s Department of Architecture, speaking to the Aga Khan Award reviewers in the 1980s, “but we planners feel it has done profitable things for the country.”
Members of the Jamat gathered in the Parliament Oath Room of the National Parliament House in Dhaka.
Parliament Secretariat / Akhtar Hossain
The Aga Khan Award review in 1989 acknowledges that the project “encouraged the renaissance of architecture as a social and cultural identity” at a time when most of the building work in Bangladesh was carried out by untrained individuals or technical engineers rather than architects. It also promoted the formation of the country’s first school of architecture.
“Back in 1960 there was almost nothing here: no real architecture, no Institute of Architects, no architectural consciousness,” said Bangladeshi Professor Mir Mobasher Ali. An architect’s key design philosophy was to represent Bangladeshi culture and heritage, while at the same time optimising the use of space. “Kahn opened the way.”
The complex is set on 200 acres of landscaped park, with the main building rising from a man-made moat. The buildings situated behind the Assembly Building were built using brick. Kahn wanted to leave the brick exposed, which required high quality masonry.
It is hard to relate Kahn’s work to more traditional Mughal or Hindu themes found in the region. In a 1964 statement, the architect says that inspiration was drawn from “age-old rules that shaped great buildings in answer to the particular character of the light, the wind, the air, the temperature, the water, the materials.”
Addressing the same matter three years later, a chief engineer in the Public Works Department observed that “it may not be possible to exactly know what those great masters of the golden Muslim era would have done if they had the materials and techniques of the modern age at their command. But the originality, purity and honesty that exude from their creations leads one to believe that they would have made use of the present day materials and techniques in their true and pure form.”
Louis Kahn never lived to see the National Assembly complex completed. He died tragically of a heart attack while traveling at New York’s Pennsylvania Station in 1974. The project was completed by David Wisdom and Associates in 1983.
For the people of Bangladesh, the National Assembly is an iconic symbol. Around 2,000 visitors tour the building and its grounds every day, and it is perceived as a positive asset for the country — both for its aesthetic beauty and its architectural uniqueness.
“For Ismailis, it is such a matter of pride that this building has won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture,” said Ismaili Council President Sulaiman Ajanee. “It gives us a real connection to the place.”
http://www.theismaili.org/heritage-expr ... chitecture
Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf held
Sports Reporter
Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf held
Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabat, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, is seen with other officials during the opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf Tournament at the Kurmitola Golf Club in the capital recently. Courtesy photo
The three-day prestigious Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf Tournament was held at the Kurmitola Golf Club course in the capital from January 12 to 14.
The tournament got off to a fine start amidst a lot of fanfare at the lush green and picturesque Kurmitola Golf Course on the morning of January 12. Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabat, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force inaugurated the tournament as chief guest. Major General A K M Abdullahil Baquee, Military Secretary, Bangladesh Army and Vice President, Kurmitola Golf Club, Brig Gen (retd) Abidur Reza Khan, chairman, tournament committee, Kurmitola Golf Club, Brig Gen (retd) Mohd Obaidul Haque, Chief Executive Officer, Kurmitola Golf Club, Group Captain (retd) M Lokman Farrukh, L Col (retd) Md Abdul Bari, General Manager, Golf Operations, Kurmitola Golf Club, Sulaiman Ajanee, president of Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Bangladesh, Munir M Merali, AKDN Resident Diplomatic Representative and other members of the Aga Khan community in Bangladesh and high officials of Kurmitola Golf Club were also present at the inaugural ceremony. The prize distribution ceremony was held on Saturday evening at the banquet hall of Kurmitola Golf Club.
http://www.theindependentbd.com/arcprin ... 2017-01-17
Sports Reporter
Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf held
Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabat, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, is seen with other officials during the opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf Tournament at the Kurmitola Golf Club in the capital recently. Courtesy photo
The three-day prestigious Aga Khan Gold Cup Golf Tournament was held at the Kurmitola Golf Club course in the capital from January 12 to 14.
The tournament got off to a fine start amidst a lot of fanfare at the lush green and picturesque Kurmitola Golf Course on the morning of January 12. Air Vice Marshal Mashiuzzaman Serniabat, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force inaugurated the tournament as chief guest. Major General A K M Abdullahil Baquee, Military Secretary, Bangladesh Army and Vice President, Kurmitola Golf Club, Brig Gen (retd) Abidur Reza Khan, chairman, tournament committee, Kurmitola Golf Club, Brig Gen (retd) Mohd Obaidul Haque, Chief Executive Officer, Kurmitola Golf Club, Group Captain (retd) M Lokman Farrukh, L Col (retd) Md Abdul Bari, General Manager, Golf Operations, Kurmitola Golf Club, Sulaiman Ajanee, president of Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Bangladesh, Munir M Merali, AKDN Resident Diplomatic Representative and other members of the Aga Khan community in Bangladesh and high officials of Kurmitola Golf Club were also present at the inaugural ceremony. The prize distribution ceremony was held on Saturday evening at the banquet hall of Kurmitola Golf Club.
http://www.theindependentbd.com/arcprin ... 2017-01-17
Aga Khan to celebrate Bangladeshi architecture award winners 2016
The Network in a statement on Saturday said Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor and Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Farrokh Derakhshani, will present award certificates to all those who have contributed to the realisation of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka on Mar 8.
Certificates will be presented to those associated with the creation of the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha, the next day.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in architecture.
It was established by the Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
Earlier, three other Bangladeshi projects have received the award.
The National Assembly Building, designed by Louis I. Kahn, won the award in 1989, the Grameen Bank Housing Programme in 1989 and the METI School in Rudrapur received the award in 2007.
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/02/ ... nners-2016
The Network in a statement on Saturday said Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor and Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Farrokh Derakhshani, will present award certificates to all those who have contributed to the realisation of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka on Mar 8.
Certificates will be presented to those associated with the creation of the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha, the next day.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in architecture.
It was established by the Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
Earlier, three other Bangladeshi projects have received the award.
The National Assembly Building, designed by Louis I. Kahn, won the award in 1989, the Grameen Bank Housing Programme in 1989 and the METI School in Rudrapur received the award in 2007.
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/02/ ... nners-2016
WEBCAST: Celebrating the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha
Events celebrating the Bangladeshi winners of the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture are being held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka on 8 and 9 March 2017. The event recognising the Friendship Centre is taking place on 9 March at 6:30 PM Dhaka time (GMT+6), and will be webcast at TheIsmaili.org/live.
The Aga Khan Development Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Bangladesh, is celebrating the two winning Bangladeshi projects of the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture: the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka (Architect: Marina Tabassum) and the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha (Architect: Kashef Chowdhury). The events recognising each project will take place at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka.
On 8 March 2017, His Excellency Noor Asaduzzaman MP, Bangladesh’s Honorable Minister of Cultural Affairs, and Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, will present Award Certificates to those who have contributed to the realisation of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka. On 9 March, certificates will be presented to those associated with the creation of the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in architecture. It was established by Mawlana Hazar Imam in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
http://www.theismaili.org/ismailicentre ... -gaibandha
Events celebrating the Bangladeshi winners of the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture are being held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka on 8 and 9 March 2017. The event recognising the Friendship Centre is taking place on 9 March at 6:30 PM Dhaka time (GMT+6), and will be webcast at TheIsmaili.org/live.
The Aga Khan Development Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Bangladesh, is celebrating the two winning Bangladeshi projects of the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture: the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka (Architect: Marina Tabassum) and the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha (Architect: Kashef Chowdhury). The events recognising each project will take place at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Dhaka.
On 8 March 2017, His Excellency Noor Asaduzzaman MP, Bangladesh’s Honorable Minister of Cultural Affairs, and Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, will present Award Certificates to those who have contributed to the realisation of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka. On 9 March, certificates will be presented to those associated with the creation of the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in architecture. It was established by Mawlana Hazar Imam in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence.
http://www.theismaili.org/ismailicentre ... -gaibandha
Aga Khan Foundation marks International Nurses Day
There are over 40,000 registered nurses working in the country; around 90% of whom are women
Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), observed the International Nurses Day 2017 to honour nurses in Bangladesh, recognising their critical contributions to the health sector and wellbeing of citizens.
Marking the day, the foundation held a programme in Dhaka recently, where Professor Yasmin Amarsi, the Founding Dean at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Aga Khan University, gave the keynote presentation.
Dr Amarsi underscored the need of a united voice among nurses to help improve the profession, highlighting the result of developing nursing quality.
In her welcome speech, Dilshad Dossani, Chair of the foundation’s national committee said: “It is fitting indeed that we are here to celebrate and honour a profession that strives at its heart to care for humanity, both in body and in spirit.”
Subhash Chandra Sarker, Additional Secretary (Nursing and Midwifery) of Health and Family Welfare Ministry, who attended the event as the chief guest, highlighted the recent efforts of the government to upgrade the nursing profession in the country.
He also encouraged nurses to continue working for the betterment of their profession.
The event also gave an opportunity to nurses to share their own perspectives about their work and profession in the country.
AKDN has been working in the field of nursing, primarily through the Aga Khan University, for nearly forty years, in many countries including in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This year, the International Nurses Day with the theme “Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” was marked on May 12.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/ ... urses-day/
There are over 40,000 registered nurses working in the country; around 90% of whom are women
Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), observed the International Nurses Day 2017 to honour nurses in Bangladesh, recognising their critical contributions to the health sector and wellbeing of citizens.
Marking the day, the foundation held a programme in Dhaka recently, where Professor Yasmin Amarsi, the Founding Dean at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Aga Khan University, gave the keynote presentation.
Dr Amarsi underscored the need of a united voice among nurses to help improve the profession, highlighting the result of developing nursing quality.
In her welcome speech, Dilshad Dossani, Chair of the foundation’s national committee said: “It is fitting indeed that we are here to celebrate and honour a profession that strives at its heart to care for humanity, both in body and in spirit.”
Subhash Chandra Sarker, Additional Secretary (Nursing and Midwifery) of Health and Family Welfare Ministry, who attended the event as the chief guest, highlighted the recent efforts of the government to upgrade the nursing profession in the country.
He also encouraged nurses to continue working for the betterment of their profession.
The event also gave an opportunity to nurses to share their own perspectives about their work and profession in the country.
AKDN has been working in the field of nursing, primarily through the Aga Khan University, for nearly forty years, in many countries including in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This year, the International Nurses Day with the theme “Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” was marked on May 12.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/ ... urses-day/
Shia Ismaili leader Prince Karim Aga Khan’s role lauded in Bangladesh
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/07/ ... bangladesh
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has praised the Shia Ismaili community’s spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan for his global role.
He spoke at a reception celebrating the diamond jubilee of the Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims in Dhaka on Thursday .
Ali said like his grandfather, he focused on efforts concerning the well-being of his own community and the wider Muslims as well.
“The Aga Khan’s work is underpinned by an emphasis on Islam as a spiritual faith which cherishes the role of the intellect, teaches compassion and tolerance, and upholds the dignity of humankind”.
He also praised the role of the Aga Khan Development Network in Bangladesh and said the network is committed to enhancing its investments in the education sector with the establishment of the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka which is to be located on approximately 20 acres of Network-owned land in Bashundhara.
The academy will be comprised of world-class facilities and become part of an integrated network of 18 such academies being built globally.
The Development Network organised the reception at a Dhaka hotel.
The Aga Khan is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter.
At the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan as the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims 60 years ago.
Today, the Aga Khan leads a global community of some 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, living predominantly in South Asia, Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and the Far East.
July 11 marks the day of his accession to the Ismaili leadership.
AKDN’s Resident Representative to Bangladesh Munir M. Merali said the Jubilees serve as “important milestones for His Highness and members of his community, to recognise the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, governments, and other partners in the work of the Imamat”.
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/07/ ... bangladesh
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has praised the Shia Ismaili community’s spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan for his global role.
He spoke at a reception celebrating the diamond jubilee of the Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims in Dhaka on Thursday .
Ali said like his grandfather, he focused on efforts concerning the well-being of his own community and the wider Muslims as well.
“The Aga Khan’s work is underpinned by an emphasis on Islam as a spiritual faith which cherishes the role of the intellect, teaches compassion and tolerance, and upholds the dignity of humankind”.
He also praised the role of the Aga Khan Development Network in Bangladesh and said the network is committed to enhancing its investments in the education sector with the establishment of the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka which is to be located on approximately 20 acres of Network-owned land in Bashundhara.
The academy will be comprised of world-class facilities and become part of an integrated network of 18 such academies being built globally.
The Development Network organised the reception at a Dhaka hotel.
The Aga Khan is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter.
At the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan as the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims 60 years ago.
Today, the Aga Khan leads a global community of some 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, living predominantly in South Asia, Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and the Far East.
July 11 marks the day of his accession to the Ismaili leadership.
AKDN’s Resident Representative to Bangladesh Munir M. Merali said the Jubilees serve as “important milestones for His Highness and members of his community, to recognise the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, governments, and other partners in the work of the Imamat”.
AKDN takes interest in Bangladesh’s basic education development
In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they co-hosted a ‘Forum on International Education for Global Citizens’ in Dhaka on Friday bringing together all stakeholders including students.
The AKDN said this was in keeping with the goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals which tells to “revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development”.
AKDN’s Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh Munir M Merali welcomed participants and shared the Network’s “continued interest and commitment” to the education sector in Bangladesh through additional investments, including the establishment of the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque was present as chief guest. Secretary for Primary and Mass Education Mohammad Asif-Uz-Zaman also spoke at the forum.
Former Research Chair of Canada’s Red River College Janet Jamieson and Global Manager for Professional Development of the Aga Khan Academies Jonathan Marsh made key-note presentations.
Jamieson emphasised the importance of the early years in setting the foundations for all future learning and behaviour, including the knowledge, skills and values required for students to become global citizens.
Marsh spoke about ways in which public-private partnerships in education can be effectively leveraged to improve teaching and learning outcomes for all students.
Students from the Aga Khan School, Dhaka, Bawnia Badh Islamia Alia Madrasha, Holy Cross, Sunbeams and Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, among others, later took part in a roundtable discussion.
Students, teachers and other participants discussed ways to draw out their ideas on how education in Bangladesh can be improved to be more interactive, experiential and values-based, and how they can inculcate life skills.
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/09/ ... evelopment
In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they co-hosted a ‘Forum on International Education for Global Citizens’ in Dhaka on Friday bringing together all stakeholders including students.
The AKDN said this was in keeping with the goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals which tells to “revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development”.
AKDN’s Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh Munir M Merali welcomed participants and shared the Network’s “continued interest and commitment” to the education sector in Bangladesh through additional investments, including the establishment of the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque was present as chief guest. Secretary for Primary and Mass Education Mohammad Asif-Uz-Zaman also spoke at the forum.
Former Research Chair of Canada’s Red River College Janet Jamieson and Global Manager for Professional Development of the Aga Khan Academies Jonathan Marsh made key-note presentations.
Jamieson emphasised the importance of the early years in setting the foundations for all future learning and behaviour, including the knowledge, skills and values required for students to become global citizens.
Marsh spoke about ways in which public-private partnerships in education can be effectively leveraged to improve teaching and learning outcomes for all students.
Students from the Aga Khan School, Dhaka, Bawnia Badh Islamia Alia Madrasha, Holy Cross, Sunbeams and Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, among others, later took part in a roundtable discussion.
Students, teachers and other participants discussed ways to draw out their ideas on how education in Bangladesh can be improved to be more interactive, experiential and values-based, and how they can inculcate life skills.
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/09/ ... evelopment
World Speech Day celebrated in city
This year the World Speech Day was celebrated in over 90 countries around the world
The Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh, like every year, has celebrated the World Speech Day at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, in Dhaka’s Bashundhara.
Civil society members, professionals, students and teachers from leading schools, journalists and members of the Aga Khan National Council and other institutions attended the event held on Saturday, said a press release on Monday.
On behalf of the Aga Khan Council, Bangladesh, its President Sulaiman Ajanee had welcomed all the invited speakers and guests to the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.
He said this year the World Speech Day was celebrated in over 90 countries around the world.
Dhaka Tribune Editor-in-Chief Zafar Sobhan, Ambreen Basheer, teacher from the American International School Dhaka (AISD), Dhruba Jyoti Paul, student of AISD, and Aliza Jessani from the Aga Khan School, Dhaka spoke on the occasion.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... d-in-city/
This year the World Speech Day was celebrated in over 90 countries around the world
The Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh, like every year, has celebrated the World Speech Day at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, in Dhaka’s Bashundhara.
Civil society members, professionals, students and teachers from leading schools, journalists and members of the Aga Khan National Council and other institutions attended the event held on Saturday, said a press release on Monday.
On behalf of the Aga Khan Council, Bangladesh, its President Sulaiman Ajanee had welcomed all the invited speakers and guests to the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.
He said this year the World Speech Day was celebrated in over 90 countries around the world.
Dhaka Tribune Editor-in-Chief Zafar Sobhan, Ambreen Basheer, teacher from the American International School Dhaka (AISD), Dhruba Jyoti Paul, student of AISD, and Aliza Jessani from the Aga Khan School, Dhaka spoke on the occasion.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... d-in-city/
Aga Khan Foundation discusses business, philanthropy in Dhaka
The seminar was titled “Doing Well by Doing Good: A Discussion on Business and Philanthropy”.
Dr Gowher Rizvi, the international advisor to the prime minister was present as the chief guest at the event held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara.
Rizvi made a distinction between charity and philanthropy, while highlighting what makes good philanthropy.
“Philanthropy, when properly directed, when it listens to the people whom is it is serving, can be very successful,” he said.
Dilshad Dossani, chairperson of the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh)’s National Committee, outlined the impetus behind the seminar.
“The notion of indigenous philanthropy and the paradigm shift towards self-reliant development, we believe, has never been more relevant than it is today in the Bangladesh context.”
Apoorva Oza, chief executive officer of the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (India) spoke about corporate social responsibility, highlighting lessons from the Indian context.
“There is an initial tendency among many corporates to do a lot of charity work, what we call transactional work, but the real change comes from transformational work, when we attack the roots of the problem, and that is a slow process for corporates to learn, but it is happening.”
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, Power and Participation Research Centre, moderated a panel discussion which featured Nihad Kabir, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Dhaka and Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of the Apex Footwear Ltd, among others.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2018/05 ... y-in-dhaka
The seminar was titled “Doing Well by Doing Good: A Discussion on Business and Philanthropy”.
Dr Gowher Rizvi, the international advisor to the prime minister was present as the chief guest at the event held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara.
Rizvi made a distinction between charity and philanthropy, while highlighting what makes good philanthropy.
“Philanthropy, when properly directed, when it listens to the people whom is it is serving, can be very successful,” he said.
Dilshad Dossani, chairperson of the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh)’s National Committee, outlined the impetus behind the seminar.
“The notion of indigenous philanthropy and the paradigm shift towards self-reliant development, we believe, has never been more relevant than it is today in the Bangladesh context.”
Apoorva Oza, chief executive officer of the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (India) spoke about corporate social responsibility, highlighting lessons from the Indian context.
“There is an initial tendency among many corporates to do a lot of charity work, what we call transactional work, but the real change comes from transformational work, when we attack the roots of the problem, and that is a slow process for corporates to learn, but it is happening.”
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, Power and Participation Research Centre, moderated a panel discussion which featured Nihad Kabir, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Dhaka and Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of the Apex Footwear Ltd, among others.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2018/05 ... y-in-dhaka
H.E, Saed Al-Mheiri in the presence of Mr. Abdullah Al-Hamoudi in his office Mr. Munir M.Merali resident diplomatic representative of Aga Khan Develpment Network in Dhaka to discuss ways of cooperation and development in Bangladesh
https://twitter.com/UAEEmbassyDhaka/sta ... 40/photo/1
https://twitter.com/UAEEmbassyDhaka/sta ... 40/photo/1
Aga Khan School holds award and graduation ceremony
This year, Aga Khan Education Services, Bangladesh, has also completed 30 years of service in Bangladesh
The Aga Khan School Dhaka hosted its 2017-18 award and graduation ceremony at a city hotel recently.
A total of 171 students received awards and certificates in different categories, including “Academic,” “Principled,” “Most Improved,” “CAS Oustanding,” and “Sportsmanship” awards.
Prof Saad Andaleeb, vice-chancellor of Brac University, graced the occasion as chief guest.
Thirteen school staff members were also awarded for their long service to the school.
This year, Aga Khan Education Services, Bangladesh, has also completed 30 years of service in Bangladesh.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... n-ceremony
This year, Aga Khan Education Services, Bangladesh, has also completed 30 years of service in Bangladesh
The Aga Khan School Dhaka hosted its 2017-18 award and graduation ceremony at a city hotel recently.
A total of 171 students received awards and certificates in different categories, including “Academic,” “Principled,” “Most Improved,” “CAS Oustanding,” and “Sportsmanship” awards.
Prof Saad Andaleeb, vice-chancellor of Brac University, graced the occasion as chief guest.
Thirteen school staff members were also awarded for their long service to the school.
This year, Aga Khan Education Services, Bangladesh, has also completed 30 years of service in Bangladesh.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... n-ceremony
AKDN celebrates Imamat Day
Dhaka, July 26 (UNB) - The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on Thursday celebrated the 61st anniversary of the accession of the Aga Khan to the Ismaili Imamat.
The event also marked the conclusion of yearlong commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan with culminating global celebrations that included – address by the Aga Khan to Portugal’s members of Parliament, and the establishment of the new Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal.
Representing the government of Bangladesh State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, MP, in his speech remarked echoing the message of the Aga Khan, “Pluralism is no longer an asset or a pre-requisite for development, it is vital to our existence.”
AKDN’s Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh Munir M Merali welcomed the guests and informed of the launch of the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka.
He said the award-winning Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka represents a significant investment by the Aga Khan and AKDN to help improve the quality of education in the country.
The academy campus is Dhaka is designed and built to international standards centered on the mission of educating the whole person-intellectually, spiritually, ethically, and physically – and creating an environment for teaching and learning that will draw out the best in all, he added.
The event in Dhaka was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society and business, and members of the Ismaili community, said a press release.
http://www.unb.com.bd/bangladesh-news/A ... -Day/76362
Dhaka, July 26 (UNB) - The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on Thursday celebrated the 61st anniversary of the accession of the Aga Khan to the Ismaili Imamat.
The event also marked the conclusion of yearlong commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan with culminating global celebrations that included – address by the Aga Khan to Portugal’s members of Parliament, and the establishment of the new Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal.
Representing the government of Bangladesh State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, MP, in his speech remarked echoing the message of the Aga Khan, “Pluralism is no longer an asset or a pre-requisite for development, it is vital to our existence.”
AKDN’s Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh Munir M Merali welcomed the guests and informed of the launch of the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka.
He said the award-winning Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka represents a significant investment by the Aga Khan and AKDN to help improve the quality of education in the country.
The academy campus is Dhaka is designed and built to international standards centered on the mission of educating the whole person-intellectually, spiritually, ethically, and physically – and creating an environment for teaching and learning that will draw out the best in all, he added.
The event in Dhaka was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society and business, and members of the Ismaili community, said a press release.
http://www.unb.com.bd/bangladesh-news/A ... -Day/76362
Frugal Innovation Forum 2017 - Workshop: ECD and Play as we believe
Can toys be teachers?
This session will be an interactive workshop that will illustrate how play can inspire learning. Participants will engage in joyful learning models, exploring how spaces can be designed frugally.
Moderator:
Dr Fahmida Tofail, Scientist, ICDDR,B
Speakers:
Salimah Kassam, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation
Dr Erum Mariam, Director of BRAC Institute of Education and Development- BRAC University
Syeda Sazia Zaman, Senior Research Fellow, BIED
Dr Nishat Fatima Rahman, Assistant Professor, BIED
Syeda Fareha Shaheeda Islam, Senior Lecturer, BIED
Md. Jabadul Hoque, Deputy Manager, ECD, BIED
Md. Fuad Abdul Quaium, Architect, Managing and Founding Partner, GHORAMI.JON
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwP-1mS0TPU
Can toys be teachers?
This session will be an interactive workshop that will illustrate how play can inspire learning. Participants will engage in joyful learning models, exploring how spaces can be designed frugally.
Moderator:
Dr Fahmida Tofail, Scientist, ICDDR,B
Speakers:
Salimah Kassam, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation
Dr Erum Mariam, Director of BRAC Institute of Education and Development- BRAC University
Syeda Sazia Zaman, Senior Research Fellow, BIED
Dr Nishat Fatima Rahman, Assistant Professor, BIED
Syeda Fareha Shaheeda Islam, Senior Lecturer, BIED
Md. Jabadul Hoque, Deputy Manager, ECD, BIED
Md. Fuad Abdul Quaium, Architect, Managing and Founding Partner, GHORAMI.JON
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwP-1mS0TPU
There is a related thread at:
Institutional Activities in Bangladesh
http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... highlight=
Institutional Activities in Bangladesh
http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... highlight=
Year-long celebration of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s diamond jubilee ends in Bangladesh
On Saturday, they held a talk on “Cosmopolitan Ethic in Action” at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre at Bashundhara in Dhaka.
Members of the academia, representatives of civil society, business leaders, and members of the Ismaili community were present.
Sulaiman Ajanee, President of the Aga Khan National Council for Bangladesh, welcomed all and remarked that the diamond jubilee of the Aga Khan has provided a “significant opportunity” to reflect on his vision, the efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network and on the ethics and values that underpin these efforts, one of which is the “cosmopolitan ethic”.
As the keynote speaker, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairman and Founder of BRAC, said cosmopolitanism is “acceptance and appreciation of the fact that we human beings will choose to express ourselves in different ways”.
More...
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2018/09 ... bangladesh
*******
Aga Khan Council discussion highlights cosmopolitan ethics
https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/ ... cs-1632157
On Saturday, they held a talk on “Cosmopolitan Ethic in Action” at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre at Bashundhara in Dhaka.
Members of the academia, representatives of civil society, business leaders, and members of the Ismaili community were present.
Sulaiman Ajanee, President of the Aga Khan National Council for Bangladesh, welcomed all and remarked that the diamond jubilee of the Aga Khan has provided a “significant opportunity” to reflect on his vision, the efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network and on the ethics and values that underpin these efforts, one of which is the “cosmopolitan ethic”.
As the keynote speaker, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairman and Founder of BRAC, said cosmopolitanism is “acceptance and appreciation of the fact that we human beings will choose to express ourselves in different ways”.
More...
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2018/09 ... bangladesh
*******
Aga Khan Council discussion highlights cosmopolitan ethics
https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/ ... cs-1632157
Last edited by kmaherali on Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center’s Office of Professional Development, in partnership with The Daily Star, organised a roundtable discussion on ‘Closing the skills gap: Preparing the next generation for an uncertain job market’ with HR professionals from nineteen of Bangladesh’s leading companies.
Supported by the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) and Rizwan Adatia Foundation, this roundtable was organised on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, to shed light on the challenges in recruitment and talent acquisition in the current job market and how it is affecting youth unemployment.
The guests at the roundtable represented diverse sectors such as banking, insurance, telecommunications, development, manufacturing, tech start-ups, and pharmaceuticals. They shared their insights on the skills required to excel in the 21st century workplace and the collective role of education institutions and industries to close the skills gap.
More...
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/n ... ts-1632688
Supported by the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) and Rizwan Adatia Foundation, this roundtable was organised on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, to shed light on the challenges in recruitment and talent acquisition in the current job market and how it is affecting youth unemployment.
The guests at the roundtable represented diverse sectors such as banking, insurance, telecommunications, development, manufacturing, tech start-ups, and pharmaceuticals. They shared their insights on the skills required to excel in the 21st century workplace and the collective role of education institutions and industries to close the skills gap.
More...
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/n ... ts-1632688
BYLC connects 300 graduates with potential employers
Also at the BYLC Career Fair, human resources representatives interviewed some BYLC graduates
The Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center’s (BYCL) Office of Professional Development (OPD)—which is supported by the Aga Khan Foundation Bangladesh and the Rizwan Adatia Foundation—hosted its third BYLC Career Fair at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Dhaka.
The fair, held on Thursday, convened over 300 BYLC graduates and 22 leading private and nonprofit-sector employers, who are looking to recruit talented youths for entry-level jobs.
While inaugurating the event, the chief guest, State Minister at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid said: “Not only is BYLC doing a remarkable job of instilling in youth critical thinking and leadership skills, it is also creating economic opportunities by facilitating important connections between employers and job-seekers.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, BYLC President Ejaj Ahmad said: “Using a three-pronged approach—professional skills development training, placement opportunities, and online professional matchmaking and learning services—the OPD contributes to improving the livelihood of youths who have already received leadership education at BYLC.”
Human resources representatives from participating organizations spoke to BYLC graduates throughout the day, assessed their resumes, and took on-the-spot interviews of suitable candidates.
The fair also featured two panels on tackling youth unemployment and bridging gaps between supply of, and demand for, skills.
The companies at the BYLC Career Fair included: Banglalink, Grameenphone, Renata Limited, Shohoz, PRAN-RFL Group, JAAGO Foundation, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited, Aamra Technologies Limited, Green Delta Insurance, BRAC, KAZI IT, ActionAid Bangladesh, Sajida Foundation, Amann Bangladesh, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mohammadi Group, LankaBangla Finance, Cosmos Group, United News Bangladesh, mPower Social Enterprises Limited, and Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Limited.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... -employers
Also at the BYLC Career Fair, human resources representatives interviewed some BYLC graduates
The Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center’s (BYCL) Office of Professional Development (OPD)—which is supported by the Aga Khan Foundation Bangladesh and the Rizwan Adatia Foundation—hosted its third BYLC Career Fair at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Dhaka.
The fair, held on Thursday, convened over 300 BYLC graduates and 22 leading private and nonprofit-sector employers, who are looking to recruit talented youths for entry-level jobs.
While inaugurating the event, the chief guest, State Minister at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid said: “Not only is BYLC doing a remarkable job of instilling in youth critical thinking and leadership skills, it is also creating economic opportunities by facilitating important connections between employers and job-seekers.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, BYLC President Ejaj Ahmad said: “Using a three-pronged approach—professional skills development training, placement opportunities, and online professional matchmaking and learning services—the OPD contributes to improving the livelihood of youths who have already received leadership education at BYLC.”
Human resources representatives from participating organizations spoke to BYLC graduates throughout the day, assessed their resumes, and took on-the-spot interviews of suitable candidates.
The fair also featured two panels on tackling youth unemployment and bridging gaps between supply of, and demand for, skills.
The companies at the BYLC Career Fair included: Banglalink, Grameenphone, Renata Limited, Shohoz, PRAN-RFL Group, JAAGO Foundation, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited, Aamra Technologies Limited, Green Delta Insurance, BRAC, KAZI IT, ActionAid Bangladesh, Sajida Foundation, Amann Bangladesh, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mohammadi Group, LankaBangla Finance, Cosmos Group, United News Bangladesh, mPower Social Enterprises Limited, and Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Limited.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... -employers
Award-winning Friendship Centre in Gaibandha brings hope to Char areas of Bangladesh
Can you imagine life in a place where the very ground you stand on is not stable and it is almost routine to see the land sliding into the river when it rains? Where people know their schools, fields, yards, and even their homes are on unstable ground?
The communities in the northern ‘Char’ areas of Bangladesh are living such a life.
“These are river islands, which are constantly eroding and forming anew,” said Naushad Ali Husein, senior executive of Friendship, an NGO working in the region. Members of the Ismaili community from Dhaka recently visited the Char areas and were given a first-hand glimpse into the lives of people living on these climate impacted islands.
The NGO brings a ray of sunshine in their lives through the many training programmes it offers at its Friendship Centre in Gaibandha, such as teaching, medicine, law and even theatre.
The Friendship Centre was built as a live-in training centre for these community social workers. Inspired by the Buddhist monastic architecture of the North Bengal flood plains, this centre was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016.
“We were inspired by the sheer brilliance of this structure, and decided the Jamat must experience it, and see the innovative work that is going on here,” said Hamida Virani, Chairperson of the Communications and Publications Committee, who organised the visit. Members arrived at the Friendship Centre after an overnight 273 km drive and enjoyed a hearty breakfast before a tour of the space. “It was simply fascinating,” she said.
“The centre is built with local materials — brick, wood and cement,” said Naushad. The structure is simplistic yet remarkably built. Constructed downwards, one descends a flight of stairs into a plaza to enter the centre. Open courtyards and pools surround the buildings and the naturally ventilated structures are cooled by green roofs. Beyond the seminar halls and training spaces, one passes through arched corridors to reach the residential section of the centre.
The Friendship Centre was designed by architect Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, who is one of two Bangladeshi architects to have been presented with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. The awards are granted every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture across the world.
After touring the centre, there was little time for rest. The group hopped onto battery-powered tuktuks, and headed to a trawler, to get to the floating Emirates Friendship Hospital, one of two such examples of how the local community are adapting to a changing climate.
“You can’t have any permanent land structures here, since the land is constantly eroding,” said Naushad. “So you can imagine, a floating hospital is a very useful thing.”
“We saw the dental, gynaecological, surgical and other medical units on the hospital, as well its administrative areas,” said Hamida. “It’s hard to imagine that so many services can be made available onboard a boat this size.”
Before heading back to the centre, the group had lunch on the boat under a cool cover of clouds and even stopped at a sandy beach for some impromptu football and photos.
On the second day, the visitors took a boat to visit Batikamari Char and see some other projects being handled by the NGO, including a vocational training centre where women learn weaving, a paralegal booth, and a school.
“This trip gave us a moment to pause and thank God for our privilege, and to put the importance of health care, education, and shelter into perspective,” said Hamida. “It was informative, yet delightful and memorable.”
Photos at:
https://the.ismaili/bangladesh/award-wi ... rce=Direct
Can you imagine life in a place where the very ground you stand on is not stable and it is almost routine to see the land sliding into the river when it rains? Where people know their schools, fields, yards, and even their homes are on unstable ground?
The communities in the northern ‘Char’ areas of Bangladesh are living such a life.
“These are river islands, which are constantly eroding and forming anew,” said Naushad Ali Husein, senior executive of Friendship, an NGO working in the region. Members of the Ismaili community from Dhaka recently visited the Char areas and were given a first-hand glimpse into the lives of people living on these climate impacted islands.
The NGO brings a ray of sunshine in their lives through the many training programmes it offers at its Friendship Centre in Gaibandha, such as teaching, medicine, law and even theatre.
The Friendship Centre was built as a live-in training centre for these community social workers. Inspired by the Buddhist monastic architecture of the North Bengal flood plains, this centre was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016.
“We were inspired by the sheer brilliance of this structure, and decided the Jamat must experience it, and see the innovative work that is going on here,” said Hamida Virani, Chairperson of the Communications and Publications Committee, who organised the visit. Members arrived at the Friendship Centre after an overnight 273 km drive and enjoyed a hearty breakfast before a tour of the space. “It was simply fascinating,” she said.
“The centre is built with local materials — brick, wood and cement,” said Naushad. The structure is simplistic yet remarkably built. Constructed downwards, one descends a flight of stairs into a plaza to enter the centre. Open courtyards and pools surround the buildings and the naturally ventilated structures are cooled by green roofs. Beyond the seminar halls and training spaces, one passes through arched corridors to reach the residential section of the centre.
The Friendship Centre was designed by architect Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, who is one of two Bangladeshi architects to have been presented with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. The awards are granted every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture across the world.
After touring the centre, there was little time for rest. The group hopped onto battery-powered tuktuks, and headed to a trawler, to get to the floating Emirates Friendship Hospital, one of two such examples of how the local community are adapting to a changing climate.
“You can’t have any permanent land structures here, since the land is constantly eroding,” said Naushad. “So you can imagine, a floating hospital is a very useful thing.”
“We saw the dental, gynaecological, surgical and other medical units on the hospital, as well its administrative areas,” said Hamida. “It’s hard to imagine that so many services can be made available onboard a boat this size.”
Before heading back to the centre, the group had lunch on the boat under a cool cover of clouds and even stopped at a sandy beach for some impromptu football and photos.
On the second day, the visitors took a boat to visit Batikamari Char and see some other projects being handled by the NGO, including a vocational training centre where women learn weaving, a paralegal booth, and a school.
“This trip gave us a moment to pause and thank God for our privilege, and to put the importance of health care, education, and shelter into perspective,” said Hamida. “It was informative, yet delightful and memorable.”
Photos at:
https://the.ismaili/bangladesh/award-wi ... rce=Direct
Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh observes World Speech Day
Dhaka, Apr 7 (UNB) - The Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh observed the World Speech Day (WSD) at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in the city.
This year the Aga Khan Council hosted the event as a member of the World Speech Day Global Forum, said a press release on Sunday.
The theme of this year’s is: “World Citizen: It’s a State of Mind.”
Amyn Saleh , Aga Khan Council Vice President, Farzana Choudhury, from the Department of Marketing and International Business, North South University, Dr Mohammad Miraly, Sohara Mehroze Shachi, Research Associate at the UNDP were, among others, addressed the programme.
Amrita Zaman from Sir John Wilsons and Inara Budhani from the Aga Khan School represented the Aga Khan School.
Photo at:
http://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/a ... -day/16055
Dhaka, Apr 7 (UNB) - The Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh observed the World Speech Day (WSD) at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in the city.
This year the Aga Khan Council hosted the event as a member of the World Speech Day Global Forum, said a press release on Sunday.
The theme of this year’s is: “World Citizen: It’s a State of Mind.”
Amyn Saleh , Aga Khan Council Vice President, Farzana Choudhury, from the Department of Marketing and International Business, North South University, Dr Mohammad Miraly, Sohara Mehroze Shachi, Research Associate at the UNDP were, among others, addressed the programme.
Amrita Zaman from Sir John Wilsons and Inara Budhani from the Aga Khan School represented the Aga Khan School.
Photo at:
http://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/a ... -day/16055
https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/ ... ar-1767358
Daily Star - July 5, 2019
Best Financial Institution of the Year
Mominul Islam, Managing Director & CEO IPDC Finance
When most of the financial institutions in the country are crawling in a big hole mainly because of mounting nonperforming loans and liquidity crisis, IPDC Finance Limited stands tall with many good numbers.
Classified loan ratio of IPDC is just 1.2 percent, much lower than the industry’s average over 11 percent.
Almost all the banks and non-bank financial institutions have been facing liquidity crisis for over a year, but IPDC was an exception as its deposit rose 24.61 percent year-on-year in 2018, mainly due to the confidence of the customers. The lender’s loan portfolio grew even at higher rate.
This good performance is also reflected in the company’s net profits that increased by 34.32 percent last year compared to the previous year. When share price of many of the nearly three dozen non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) are below their face values (Tk 10), IPDC’s share was still over Tk 25 on the last working day.
But that achievements did not come smoothly despite it being the country’s oldest and first NBFI.
IPDC, previously known as Industrial Promotion and Development Company, was established in 1981 by a distinguished group of shareholders namely International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, German Investment and Development Company (DEG), The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Commonwealth Development Corporation of the UK and the Government of Bangladesh.
Later, some changes were there in the shareholdings. Now The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development owns 11.05 percent stakes in IPDC, where 25 percent belongs to Brac, the world’s largest NGO, 10 percent to Ayesha Abed Foundation, 5 percent to RSA Capital Ltd, general shareholders 27.07 percent while the Bangladesh government owns the rest 21.88 percent.
Today, the NBFI specialises in providing long-term and short-term financing and its funds come from equity and individual and corporate deposits.
IPDC targets to help 50,000 families get a dream home, enable 10,000 women to build financial and non-financial assets and create 20,000 new entrepreneurs.
The company’s total contribution to the government exchequer hit Tk 22.3 crore in 2016, which was Tk 11.6 crore in 2015 and Tk 6 crore in 2014.
Daily Star - July 5, 2019
Best Financial Institution of the Year
Mominul Islam, Managing Director & CEO IPDC Finance
When most of the financial institutions in the country are crawling in a big hole mainly because of mounting nonperforming loans and liquidity crisis, IPDC Finance Limited stands tall with many good numbers.
Classified loan ratio of IPDC is just 1.2 percent, much lower than the industry’s average over 11 percent.
Almost all the banks and non-bank financial institutions have been facing liquidity crisis for over a year, but IPDC was an exception as its deposit rose 24.61 percent year-on-year in 2018, mainly due to the confidence of the customers. The lender’s loan portfolio grew even at higher rate.
This good performance is also reflected in the company’s net profits that increased by 34.32 percent last year compared to the previous year. When share price of many of the nearly three dozen non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) are below their face values (Tk 10), IPDC’s share was still over Tk 25 on the last working day.
But that achievements did not come smoothly despite it being the country’s oldest and first NBFI.
IPDC, previously known as Industrial Promotion and Development Company, was established in 1981 by a distinguished group of shareholders namely International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, German Investment and Development Company (DEG), The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Commonwealth Development Corporation of the UK and the Government of Bangladesh.
Later, some changes were there in the shareholdings. Now The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development owns 11.05 percent stakes in IPDC, where 25 percent belongs to Brac, the world’s largest NGO, 10 percent to Ayesha Abed Foundation, 5 percent to RSA Capital Ltd, general shareholders 27.07 percent while the Bangladesh government owns the rest 21.88 percent.
Today, the NBFI specialises in providing long-term and short-term financing and its funds come from equity and individual and corporate deposits.
IPDC targets to help 50,000 families get a dream home, enable 10,000 women to build financial and non-financial assets and create 20,000 new entrepreneurs.
The company’s total contribution to the government exchequer hit Tk 22.3 crore in 2016, which was Tk 11.6 crore in 2015 and Tk 6 crore in 2014.