National
FBCCI Names Mahbubul Alam President
Mahbubul Alam has formally assumed the position of President at the helm of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the preeminent trade body of the nation. The seamless transfer of authority transpired on Monday as the preceding Board of Directors (2021-23), led by Md. Jashim Uddin, entrusted the responsibilities to the new board at the FBCCI Icon, as indicated in an official press statement.
Md. Amin Helaly, who was Vice President of the outgoing board and concurrently held the position of Vice President at the Bangladesh Textbook Printing and Marketing Association, has taken on the role of Senior Vice-President within the newly constituted board. Additionally, Khairul Huda Chopol, at the helm of the Sunamganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammad Anwar Sadat Sarker, leading the Gazipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, heading the Bangladesh Chamber of Industry, have all assumed vice presidential duties within the chamber group.
From the association group, Shomi Kaiser, President of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh, Rashadul Hossain Chowdhury (Ronni), President of the Meiji Association of Bangladesh, and Md. Munir Hossain, President of the Exporters Association of Bangladesh, have assumed their respective roles as Vice Presidents.
The newly inducted President, Mahbubul Alam, has articulated his unwavering commitment to fortifying the country’s trade and commercial landscape in the imminent future. He has underlined the pivotal role of collective endeavors in driving private sector growth and has appealed for cohesive collaboration to attain this aspiration.
Alam has also outlined his intent to establish a branch office in Old Dhaka and has proposed the creation of a world trade center in Dhaka. Furthermore, he has outlined several imminent action plans of the fresh board, including the establishment of a 21-member advisory committee encompassing distinguished economists and chartered accountants, as well as the launch of a sophisticated web portal designed to unite all chamber associations under the FBCCI umbrella. In addition, the board is set to convene a standing committee meeting at least once every quarter.
Outgoing President Md. Jashim Uddin has spotlighted the past two years of dedicated efforts aimed at elevating FBCCI’s stature, highlighting the strategic policy measures that have propelled the business community and private sector towards advancement. He expresses confidence in the new board’s ability to sustain this momentum.
During the event, the new Senior Vice President of FBCCI, Md. Amin Helaly, and the outgoing Senior Vice President, Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, also shared their perspectives.
In the composition of the 2023-25 Board, a total of 80 directors have been elected, with an equal distribution of 40 each from the Chamber and Association groups. The office bearers selected from the Board of Directors comprise one president, one senior vice-president, and six vice-presidents.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
