A total of 80 renowned employers, such as Nestle, bKash, BRAC Bank, City Bank PLC, Meghna Group of Industries and Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills, took part at a two-day BRAC University National Career Fair 2026 which ended yesterday.
Moreover, some 500 students from universities across the country visited the fair to learn about job opportunities, interact directly with recruiters, submit resumes, undergo interviews and receive career advice.
The fair was organized by the Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations as a part of BRAC University’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
“A career is like a marathon; there are no shortcuts. You must have patience,” Masud Khan, member of BRAC University’s Board of Trustees, told the inauguration ceremony as chief guest.
Emphasizing the importance of excellence, integrity, a sense of responsibility and the continuous acquisition of new skills, he recommended prospective jobseekers thoroughly research hiring organizations, understand their needs and highlight unique qualifications during interviews.
“The knowledge acquired in educational institutions forms our foundation. The knowledge found in textbooks and research publications stems from real-world experiences; thus, what we have learned constitutes the basis of our knowledge,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar.
“We discuss many skills, but to me, human skills are the most important. This is because, without these skills, we cannot properly value others, and empathy would be lost,” he added.
At a panel discussion advising students on building a career that creates impact, Rupali Haque Chowdhury, now an independent director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, said a monk found purpose amidst monotony in washing plates in the early morning thinking how his efforts towards sanitization would help others stay healthy.
“So, there are a lot of challenges, a lot of disappointments, a lot of rejections, but what doesn’t kill you make you stronger. Remember that,” said another panelist, BRAC University Treasurer Ariful Islam.
“One of the critical moments of our professional career…is transformation…from managing self to managing team to managing others,” he said.
“Continuously, keep on learning new skills, new ways of handling AIs, and maybe you will be relevant come 20 years, but it’s very difficult to predict how it’s going to be two, three, even 5 years down the line,” warned Shaharear Sayeed, director of Human Resources Department, BRAC University, while moderating the session.
“Before joining a bank, it is crucial to consider the institution’s corporate governance and overall work environment,” advised Masrur Arefin, managing director and CEO of City Bank PLC, at a session earlier in Tuesday (13 October).
“(GDP) Growth is slowing and inflation is rising. Therefore, you need to be more responsible—both towards yourselves and your parents,” he added.
Registrar Dr David Dowland, Md Ashanur Rahman, City Bank PLC’s deputy managing director, chief economist & country business manager; IPDC Finance Managing Director and CEO Rizwan Dawood Shams, Sharmin Sultan, chief people and culture officer, Shah Ali Newaz Topu, chief solutions architect at BRAC IT Services Limited; Taufica Erfan, director of HR and Operations at IHH Healthcare, and Shahriar Rahman, head of Human Resources at Premium Sweets, also shared their expertise at various session during the fair.