The 58th convocation of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital on Friday afternoon (May 15, 2026), where graduates were encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership in an era shaped by artificial intelligence.
Addressing the newly graduated undergraduate and postgraduate students, IBA Director Professor Abu Yosuf Mohammad Abdullah said young people should not limit themselves to chasing jobs; rather, they should focus on creating new employment opportunities.
Obaidul Islam appointed Dhaka University VC, Mamun Ahmed named UGC chairman
“In the age of artificial intelligence, it is not enough to simply adapt to change — you must also develop the ability to lead change,” he said. “The question is not whether change will come; the question is which side of that change you will stand on.”
He urged graduates not to merely follow the economy or wait for opportunities to arrive. Instead, he encouraged them to identify limitations in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and digital finance as areas of potential innovation and growth.
“Create your own path through new ideas and innovation,” he told the students. “I do not want you to become only good executives; I want you to become innovators.”
According to him, Bangladesh now needs leaders who can generate new employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic progress.
Professor Abdullah also reminded graduates that their educational achievements were made possible through the sacrifices and hard work of ordinary people. He urged them to move forward with a strong sense of responsibility toward society and the nation.
Speaking as the keynote speaker, former Finance Adviser Professor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said academic knowledge alone is not enough; real-life experiences and the ability to confront challenges are what truly shape a person.
He called upon students to contribute to building the country’s future through integrity, competence, and leadership.
In his speech as the chief guest, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam said the success of IBA students is not only an achievement for the institution but also for the country.
He noted that the new generation must take responsibility for demonstrating leadership, innovation, and competitiveness on the global stage.
At the ceremony, certificates were awarded to a total of 365 students across four academic programmes — BBA, MBA, EMBA, and DBA.