Economics Study Center: A platform to develop youth leadership
Along with its regular activities, the Economics Study Centre has been organising economics summit to engage students further
Since its establishment in 1973, the Economics Study Centre has been helping brilliant young minds to emerge as leading economic thinkers and professionals.
As a prominent student-run economic forum in Bangladesh, the study centre is encouraging students to explore deeper into the world of economics.
Thousands of economics students have benefited from dialogues, seminars, debate programmes organised by the centre. It also provides a platform for the young students to connect with the seniors.
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At present, the study centre is working with 800 students of the Department of Economics of the University of Dhaka and about 1,000 students from other public and private universities.
The centre has a moderator and a chief patron. It also has an executive body comprising 20 executive panel members who are elected by the students of the economics department of the University of Dhaka.
The election of the executive panel members is held every year.
Tahmid Hasan, president of the Economics Study Center, told The Business Standard, "We are working to inspire youths to gather knowledge of economics so that they could lead the sector.
"We are basically working to create awareness among the youths about the socio-economic aspect of Bangladesh. We arrange seminars, dialogues and debates on current issues with the participation of youths. They learn from it and apply the lessons in future."
He added, "The centre has a publication titled 'Bangladesh Students' Digest on Economics and Development.' The work to publish the third edition is going on."
Tahmid also said, "We have a vision to connect all students of economics with our platform and make this centre the strongest forum in Southeast Asia."
"The study centre represents the entire student body of the economics department. It is responsible for facilitating programmes to encourage economics and business-related thinking. It is dedicated to help students explore the discipline from a wider and pluralistic perspective," said Rafiul M Chowdhury, general secretary of the centre.
Professor MM Akash, moderator of the centre, said, "The Economics Study Centre inspires students to gather knowledge about economics for the future world. It is now the centre of pride of the current students, alumni and teachers of the department.
"Many of the youths who were inspired by the centre are now leading different economic institutions in the country. Some of them are also holding top posts at multinational companies, including the World Bank and other reputed organisations."
Along with its regular activities, the Economics Study Centre has been organising economics summit to engage students further.
Students from across the country participate in essay and research paper competitions organised by the centre.
The Economics Study Centre organised the first Bangladesh Economics Summit in 2018.
The second three-day long Bangladesh Economics Summit kicked off on Thursday at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the Social Sciences Building in University of Dhaka.
KAS Murshid, director general of Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies, inaugurated the function as the chief guest while Professor Dr Shafique uz Zaman, chairman of the economics department of Dhaka University, presided over it.
Tahmid Hasan and Rafiul M Chowdhury gave the welcome speeches at the programme.
Research paper presentation, policy debate, and panel discussions at the programme will be held on November 1 and 2.
The theme of this year's summit is "Ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods: Bangladesh perspective". The papers to be presented at the programme will be on this theme with several other subthemes.
The theme of this year's essay competition organised by the forums is "Circular economy".
This year's summit consists of six panel discussions covering a wide spectrum of topics such as quality education, good governance, youth entrepreneurship and skills development, accessibility and affordability of healthcare, women empowerment, and rising inequality in Bangladesh.
Distinguished professionals from different fields of study will also engage in debate on contemporary economic and political issues in the policy debate segment of the event.
