Global youth leadership conference held at BRAC University

The 13th edition of the Get Engaged global conference on student action and youth leadership concluded at BRAC University in Dhaka on 18 June.

The week-long conference brought together young changemakers from around the world for leadership development, civic engagement and community-focused learning.

This marked the first time the annual conference was held in Dhaka, following last year's gathering at the European Humanities University campus in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Jointly organised by the School of General Education at BRAC University and the Centre for Civic Engagement at Bard College, the "GHEA21 Get Engaged Conference 2026: Student Action and Youth Leadership" brought together young leaders, civic engagement coordinators, academics and professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Participants exchanged ideas, presented community initiatives and developed skills in leadership, communication, networking and sustainable civic engagement.

GHEA21 is a global network of institutions committed to expanding access to liberal arts and sciences education and preparing students to address global challenges.

Welcoming international delegates at the opening ceremony, Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of BRAC University, said that the complex challenges facing the world require active global citizens willing to work directly with communities.

"At BRAC University, community engagement is not an extracurricular activity; it is part of the curriculum of who we expect our students to become… They learn that leadership is not a title; it is a practice. It is showing up, listening, and staying," she said.

BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said meaningful innovation cannot be driven by technology and existing datasets alone.

"If you only focus on the way education has been structured in academia, focusing solely on STEM innovation does not work unless we bring in society, along with the dimensions of liberal arts and humanistic technology," he said.

Jonathan Adam Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bard College, Director of the Centre for Civic Engagement, and Vice-Chancellor of GHEA21, highlighted the importance of civic engagement in higher education.

Speaking as the chief guest, Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education, said, "The way BRAC University is leading through global collaboration, I think we can also replicate this within the country."

Professor Samia Huq, Dean of the School of General Education and a GHEA21 faculty member, highlighted the university's approach to connecting education with social transformation.

Amrita Makin Islam, Deputy Managing Director of Picard Bangladesh Limited, was also present.

At the closing ceremony, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary and Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, noted the participation of Rohingya refugees in the conference and urged the international community to support capacity-building efforts for those still living in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

BRAC University Registrar Dr David Dowland; Dr Sue L Maxam, Co-Chair of the Millennium Campus Network Council; and Nabil B Arif, Assistant Director for Civic Engagement at BRAC University, also spoke at the event.

The closing ceremony was moderated by Fahmida Rahman, Senior Lecturer and Programme Director of the School of General Education, and a faculty member of GHEA21.

The conference was supported by the Kellner Family Foundation, BRAC University and friends of the Bard College Centre for Civic Engagement.

Prime Sustainable Partners were Apex Footwear Ltd, FINTRA Securities Limited, Jamuna Bank, Meghna Group of Industries, Mutual Trust Bank and Square Group.

Strategic Sustainable Partners were Bengal Meat Processing Industries Limited, Cotton Group Bangladesh, Guardian Life Insurance Limited, Ispahani Group and Step Footwear.