Alumni from various Canadian post-secondary institutions and other guests were present.

The High Commissioner paid tribute to partners and volunteers, as well as three prominent Canadian alumni who accepted to associate themselves as Honorary Chairpersons for the launch of the new alumni association.

Three alumni are Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairperson of BRAC (Queen’s University, Kingston), Michael Foley, CEO of Grameenphone (McGill University, Montreal) and Khorshed Khastagir, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Dalhousie ‎University).

An interim committee comprised of alumni, members of the Canada Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and the High Commission of Canada will lead the association until its formal structures and constitution are adopted, according to Canadian High Commission in Dhaka. 

The High Commissioner identified the rising number of Bangladeshi alumni as “ambassadors” for Canada and a central pillar of the people-to-people ties between the two countries. 

He also hoped the Alumni Association would become a beacon for all alumni who experienced life in Canada, while also providing a springboard to fostering more cooperation, partnership opportunities and goodwill towards Canada.

Canada is a global leader in the highest echelons of quality education and the destination of choice for students, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs seeking a world of possibilities, the High Commission said. 

By studying in Canada, students can learn in a welcoming and supportive academic environment where classrooms reflect the cultural diversity of Canada.