Corporate
Robi new CEO Rajeev Sethi
The board of directors of Robi Axiata Limited has made Rajeev Sethi as the company’s new CEO (chief executive officer).
Rajeev joins Robi following notable success in turning around Myanmar’s leading mobile operator, Ooredoo, as its CEO, reads an official press release issued in this regard.
Earlier, he successfully served as the CCO (chief commercial officer) of Airtel for Africa.
He will be replacing M Riyaaz Rasheed, who has been serving as Robi’s acting CEO since August 2021 where Rasheed will focus on his role as the company’s Chief Financial Officer.
Joint Acting Group CEOs of Axiata Group Berhad, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya and Vivek Sood told, “On behalf of the Axiata Group Management, we take great pleasure in welcoming Rajeev to the Robi family. With market leadership in 4G and digital innovation, Robi is now well poised for its upcoming wave of growth. At this point in Robi’s journey, we are grateful to have a widely regarded prolific growth driver like Rajeev Sethi taking on the leadership role of Robi.
“As the company prepares to celebrate its 25th year of operation, Rajeev’s leadership will certainly generate fresh momentum for Robi’s competitive strides in the Bangladesh market.”
Dr. Wijayasuriya also lauded Robi’s erstwhile Acting CEO and CFO, M. Riyaaz Rasheed’s accomplishments in delivering on business objectives despite a challenging macro-economic environment.
“He leaves in Rajeev’s hands an organization well positioned for the next wave of growth”, said Dr. Wijayasuriya.
Rajeev is an accomplished executive possessing a wealth of domestic and international experience in leading organizations in both startup and established stages with a strong track record of excelling in a dynamic and demanding environment.
On assuming the role of Robi’s CEO, Rajeev Sethi said, “I am very excited to have the privilege of working with the leading digital company of Bangladesh, Robi Axiata Limited. Over the years, it has truly evolved into a digital telco that thrives on innovation.
“The best part is that the culture of innovation is deeply entrenched in Robi which bodes well for future development. I am very confident that with the support of the team Robi, we can make significant gains in market share in the coming days.”
Rajeev has significant ICT industry experience, including executive engagements in companies such as Vodafone, HP, Hutchison Telecom and Asian Paints. Sethi received an MBA in marketing, finance and operations from the Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow.
Corporate
Sanming University carries out unique winter vacation social practice activity in Southeast China’s Fujian Province
China Correspondent: To facilitate a profound comprehension of China’s esteemed traditional culture among international students and teachers and to promote cultural exchanges between China and other nations, Sanming University initiated a distinctive winter vacation social practice program titled “Drawing Wisdom from Classics of Chinese Thought and Telling Chinese Stories Well.”
From January 20 to 21, 2025, the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) of Sanming University, in collaboration with the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, organized this event in Youxi County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. During the event, the delegation visited Guifeng Ancient Village, the Confucian Temple, the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, and other significant sites to gain hands-on experience and deepen their understanding.
The social practice team arrived at Guifeng Ancient Village in Youxi County on January 20. In the ancient village, the well-preserved ancient structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties are dispersed in an orderly fashion, each one containing a profound historical and cultural heritage. All participants walked along the ancient stone road and had the opportunity to explore traditional landmarks, including the Cai Clan Ancestral Hall and the Stone Seal House. They also gained insights into ancient family culture and architectural techniques. Furthermore, by interacting with the locals, they experienced the unique folk customs of Youxi and enjoyed its distinctive cuisine.
While exploring the ancient dwellings of Guifeng, Makhmudova Mushtariybegim, an international student from Uzbekistan, expressed a deep fascination with the daily life of the past. She shared that experiencing these historical residences firsthand provided her with valuable insights into the living conditions of ancient times. “The traditions here are truly captivating, offering a culture that feels both familiar and new to me,” she remarked.
On January 21, the social practice team visited the Confucian Temple and Zhuzi Cultural Garden in Youxi County. Within the Confucian Temple, all individuals experienced the grave ambiance of Confucian culture and gained a deeper understanding of the ancient education system and its protocols. At the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, they acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi’s life, actions, philosophies, and beliefs. Zhu Xi, the preeminent figure of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty, has had a profound influence on both Chinese and global culture. The international students and teachers attentively listened to the explanations, scrutinized the artifacts, and acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi culture.
Cheick Amadou Tidiane Ouattara, a foreign teacher from Mali, described his visit to the Youxi County Confucian Temple and the Zhuzi Cultural Garden with his students as an unforgettable cultural experience. He was deeply impressed by the solemn atmosphere of Confucian culture and gained a greater appreciation for the strictness of ancient Chinese education and etiquette. He also mentioned that the visit provided him with a deeper understanding of Zhu Xi’s life and philosophical beliefs. “Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism had a profound influence on the development of the Chinese nation and extended beyond China. Its contribution to global culture is undeniable, holding a significant place in history,” he remarked.
According to Yu Shuiqing, a teacher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University, this social practice activity not only enables international students to integrate more effectively into Chinese culture but also offers them a platform to exchange ideas, learn, and showcase themselves. “Sanming University will continue to hold more such activities to promote the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures, collaborate and cooperatively advance the preservation and advancement of China’s exceptional traditional culture in the future,” she added.
Over 20 teachers and students from Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria, Indonesia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Russia attended this distinctive winter vacation social practice activity.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka West has officially announced the formation of its new executive committee for the upcoming year, 2025. The organization unveiled this dynamic group of leaders during a recent general assembly held on Tuesday, December 17th in Dhaka.
At the helm of this new committee is Sujaur Rahman Emon, who has been appointed as Local President, poised to lead the chapter into a promising year ahead. Assisting him in steering the organization’s goals is Executive Vice President (EVP) Subah Afrin and Md Imam Hasan, while S M Belal Uddin takes on the role of Immediate Past Local President (IPLP).
Other board members include Vice President (VP) Md Saddam Hossain, Md Tanvir Hasan, and Audrika Eshna Purbasha, Secretary General (SG) Ibrahim Khalil Foysal, Treasurer Md Sameen Rahman, General Legal Counsel (GLC) Jiban Ahmad, Training Commissioner Masud, Directors Daud Mahmud Aovin, Jeba Maliha, Arianul Islam, Shurovy Yeasmin, Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan, and Md Sabbir Hasan, Executive Assistant to Local President Reyel Ahmed Opu, and Committee Chair Md Robiul Islam, Abdur Rahman Khan Bappy.
Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, 2024 National Director of JCI Bangladesh and 2023 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, served as the Election Commissioner. Before announcing the new Executive Committee of JCI Dhaka West, the organization’s fourth General Members’ Meeting (GMM) for 2024 was held.
“We will put our full effort into spreading positive impacts through sustainable development initiatives across the nation,” said newly elected Local President Sujaur Rahmaan Emon.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a vibrant organization, comprising individuals aged between 18 and 40, known for their unwavering dedication to community service and development. The global headquarters of JCI is situated in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and its impact extends to over 35 local chapters throughout Bangladesh. JCI Dhaka West proudly stands as the largest and most prominent among these local organizations.
The National General Assembly of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh, an international organization for young leaders, has formed its new National Executive Committee for 2025. Arefeen Raafi Ahmed has been elected as the Deputy National President of JCI Bangladesh.
The General Assembly took place on Friday, December 6, at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka. After the assembly, elections were held to select the president and other executive committee members. The election process was overseen by former JCI Bangladesh President Md. Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan.
Upon being elected as Deputy National President, Arefeen Raafi Ahmed said, “My focus will be on empowering our members. Everyone possesses unique skills, talents, and perspectives that can contribute to JCI’s growth. I am committed to providing opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and networking, enabling each member to reach their full potential within our organization. Together, we can create a positive impact on our community, empower our members, and build a stronger, more connected JCI Bangladesh.”
Arefeen Raafi Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s degree in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) from Western Sydney University, Australia. He is the Executive Director of Techno Drugs Limited and the Managing Director of Pulse Tech Limited, a leading healthcare technology company in Bangladesh. He also serves as the Managing Director of GreenTech Holidays Limited, a travel and tourism-based company. Previously, he served as the Local President of JCI Dhaka Entrepreneurs in 2021, Vice President of JCI Bangladesh in 2023, and Executive Vice President of JCI Bangladesh in 2024. He has also been honored as a JCI Senator.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global organization for young people aged 18 to 40. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, JCI operates in more than 120 countries with over 200,000 members worldwide. In Bangladesh, JCI currently has around 40 local chapters, working to foster personal development among young individuals by enhancing their skills, knowledge, and intellect.
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