British Council celebrates 65 yrs of Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

The British Council marked the 65-year legacy of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) with a special event at its auditorium on Fuller Road in Dhaka on Saturday (October 5). 

The celebration included panel discussions focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation, along with a captivating theatre performance directed by Dr. Sudip Chakroborty, the first Commonwealth scholar from Bangladesh to study theatre.

Since its inception, the CSC has played a pivotal role in fostering academic and leadership potential among individuals from Commonwealth nations. This milestone not only commemorates decades of talent development but also underscores CSC’s dedication to promoting international collaboration and intellectual growth.

The audience was also treated to a powerful presentation of Selim Al Deen‍‍`s SwarnaBoal, directed by Dr. Chakroborty.

In his closing remarks, Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, highlighted the impact of CSC scholars, stating, “Over the past six decades, more than 1,800 Commonwealth scholars have completed their studies in the UK and gone on to make significant contributions to Bangladesh and the welfare of people worldwide.”

The panel discussion, featuring five distinguished Commonwealth alumni, addressed the challenges of entrepreneurship while inspiring the younger generation to take risks. Participants included M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, PhD, from the University of Dhaka, who shared insights on access to finance and women’s entrepreneurship. Other panelists included Kohinoor Yeasmin, CEO of TARANGO, and Rashed Suhrawardy, co-founder of Dementia Care Foundation Bangladesh, who shared their entrepreneurial journeys. The discussion was moderated by Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Programme Officer at the International Labour Organization in Bangladesh.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Bangladesh Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (BACSAF) to honor the longstanding legacy of the CSC.