Education Advisor Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar -File photo

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS): Emphasizing the significance of creativity, skill, and innovative thinking, Education Advisor Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar today said these qualities are essential for societal progress and people’s well-being.
 
“Encouraging citizens to prioritize environmental sustainability and human values, he highlighted the need for a crucial national decision. Will we continue down the path of old discrimination and crisis, or will we choose a new and just system.....the decision rests in our hands,” he added.
 
The Education Advisor delivered a speech as the chief guest at the 3rd convocation of Chattogram Independent University (CIU) at the Navy Convention Center in Tiger Pass this morning.

 Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) gave a special guest speech at the event. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairperson of BRAC and Executive President of PPRC, and former advisor to the Bangladesh Caretaker Government, delivered the convocation address.
 
The advisor emphasized the importance of using acquired knowledge for the welfare of society and the country, saying it is more important than just obtaining a degree.
 
 “Obtaining a degree from a university is not the final achievement; rather, the key question in life is how one can contribute to the society, the state, and human welfare with the knowledge acquired”, Abrar added. 
 
The education advisor advised the students to prioritize  the country's interests, people's welfare, and the long-term well-being of their institutions over personal gains when making decisions in the workplace. Decisions should be guided by fairness, logic, and ethics.
 
During the event, CIU Board of Trustees Chairman Lutfe M Ayub, CIU Education, Science, Technology, and Cultural Development Trust (ESTCDT) Chairman Mohammad Zakaria Khan, and CIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mir Mohammad Nurul Absar also addressed the audience.
 
A total of 168 students from different faculties at CIU received degrees at the ceremony. Among them, 121 were undergraduate students from faculties like Business Administration, Engineering, Law, and Liberal Arts, while the remaining 47 were postgraduate students. 
Additionally, 7 students were recognized with the "Top Achievers" award for their exceptional performance in their programs.