Education
Chinese Ambassador Hails Bangladeshi Students as ‘Bridge of Hope’
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen has highlighted the pivotal role of young Bangladeshi students as the “bridge of hope” in carrying forward the tradition of friendship between China and Bangladesh. Speaking at a reception, Ambassador Yao encouraged these students to value the present and invest in their studies with dedication.
He advised that their learning journey should encompass not only professional courses but also an understanding of Chinese history and culture. Beyond attending lectures, the ambassador urged them to explore the local streets, engage with Chinese friends, and embrace cultural exchange.
The Embassy of China in Dhaka hosted a farewell reception for the recipients of the 2023 Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) on a recent evening. During the event, Toufique Hasan, Director-General of the East Asia and Pacific Wing of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Munshi Faiz Ahmed, former Ambassador of Bangladesh to China and head of the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA), formally presented CGS admission letters to the Bangladeshi scholars. Representatives from ABCA and the students’ parents also graced the occasion.
Ambassador Yao emphasized that both China and Bangladesh share rich histories and vibrant cultures, fostering a strong neighborly relationship and friendship since ancient times.
In a notable gesture, on the eve of International Children’s Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote a letter to a young Bangladeshi, Alifa Chin, encouraging her to pursue education, follow her dreams, contribute to society, and serve her country. Ambassador Yao underscored that President Xi Jinping’s sincere message is aimed at all Bangladeshi youth, representing a promising future for China-Bangladesh relations.
The North East Asian Youth Camp on Sustainable Development 2023, took place in China, Jiangxi Province, which included young representatives from various countries including Bangladesh. In this significant mega event, two individuals from Bangladesh had the privilege to participate.
From August 21st to 27th, a seven-day youth camp was held in the Jiangxi Province of China. The closing ceremony of the camp included the distribution of certificates among the participants. The event was jointly organized by the Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It was jointly sponsored by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and South Korea’s SK Group.
In the course of the program, participants embarked on learning journeys to Nanchang, Ji’an, and Yichun cities within Jiangxi Province. Their explorations encompassed historic sites from China’s Red Revolution, exhibits on poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, centers for scientific and technological innovation, national geological preserves, cultural heritage sites, folk culture enclaves, and other locales of significance.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Fan Yong, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government. Notable attendees included Xia Wenyong, Vice Governor of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government; Wu Dianwu, Deputy Secretary-General of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; and An Rongji, Deputy Consul General of the Korean Consulate General in Wuhan, who also delivered speeches.
Prominent figures such as Zhao Bo, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Qiu Ling, Secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Youth League; Huang Xiaoyan, Deputy Director of the Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and Vice President of the Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; and Hu Zhenyan, Deputy Secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Youth League and Chairman of the Provincial Youth Federation, graced the opening ceremony.
Representatives from 30 young individuals of 12 countries, including Bangladesh, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, took part in this camp.
Farid Ahmed, the Secretary of Primary and Mass Education, revealed that they are committed to ensuring that textbooks for the upcoming academic year will reach upazila level by November. This dedication stems from their goal of providing all children with their required books on the very first day of the new academic year. Ahmed made this announcement while serving as the chief guest during a virtual workshop centered on the 2nd Annual Action Plan of USAID’s “Shobai Miley Shikhi” (Let’s learn together) project, held in the morning.
To align with the revised curriculum, textbooks for classes 2 and 3 have been meticulously prepared for the approaching academic year. Furthermore, a plan is in place to introduce new textbooks based on a revised curriculum for 4th and 5th-grade students in the academic year of 2025.
Speaking about the “Shobai Miley Shikhi” initiative, the Mass Education Secretary emphasized the importance of collective learning, emphasizing that the approach ensures inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, while propelling progress through collaborative endeavors. He advocated for a strategic action plan to nurture children, equipping them to tackle the challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Presided over by Dilip Kumar Banik, the Additional Director General of the Department of Primary Education, the workshop saw the participation of various key figures. Among them, Mosharraf Hossain, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Andrew Holland, the Supervisory Contracting Officer of USAID’s Bangladesh mission, Sonjai Reynolds-Cooper, USAID’s Director of Education, and Manish Chakma, the Director of the Department of Primary Education, also addressed the event. This collective effort signifies a strategic move towards enhancing the educational landscape, aligning it with evolving global paradigms.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon various groups, particularly Islamic scholars, to collaborate with the government in eradicating militancy and terrorism within the country. She made this appeal while presenting awards to the winners of the Jatiya Hifzul Quran Competition-2023. The event, organized by the Religious Affairs Ministry, took place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.
Addressing the Islamic scholars, Prime Minister Hasina stressed the importance of preventing misconceptions, militancy, and terrorism through the dissemination of accurate Islamic teachings. She emphasized the need for vigilance to ensure that the younger generation avoids misguided paths. The Prime Minister also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities, including their interactions and regular attendance at educational institutions.
Prime Minister Hasina shared her experience of receiving death threats from religious extremists after taking action against criminals. She highlighted that terrorists transcend religious and national boundaries and underscored that they possess no true faith except that of terrorism.
In her speeches at international forums, Prime Minister Hasina has consistently advocated against associating Islam with terrorism, asserting that terrorism is the sole “religion” of terrorists. She urged Islamic scholars to actively counter any attempts to tarnish the image of Islam through acts of terrorism.
The event featured notable figures, including Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md. Faridul Haque Khan, and various prominent Islamic scholars. Hafez Md Abu Zafor Shakil, who secured the third position in the Quran recitation competition, showcased his skills during the event.
The competition, organized by the Bangladesh Dweeni Seba Foundation under the auspices of the Religious Affairs Ministry, aimed to promote the proper recitation of the Quran. The gathering was presided over by Abul Kalam Azad, PM’s former principal secretary and chief patron of Bangladesh Dweeni Seba Foundation.
