Award
Nagad wins 'Best Innovative Digital Financial Services Brand' award
Mobile financial services provider (MFS) Nagad has won the "Best Innovative Digital Financial Services Brand" award of the UK-based Global Brands Magazine.
Also, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad, was named "Fintech Personality of the Year 2022."
Global Brands Magazine recently announced the awards in its 10th edition.
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The magazine has been recognising innovations and accomplishments in several businesses such as fintech, banking, education, and technology.
This year, it awarded the best organisations in 11 industries, including airlines, banking and finance, fintech, consultancy, education, education technology, the stock market, insurance, investment, leadership, and technology.
Nagad has positioned itself as the country's second-largest MFS provider in less than two years through a series of innovations and customer-centric services since its establishment.
Read Nagad training workshop with Postal officials held
It already won several awards from both domestic and international institutions.
Tanvir was selected for the award for his exceptional contribution to financial inclusion in Bangladesh through Nagad.
‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ bags top award at Nepal Intl Film Fest
Bangladeshi film ‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ recently received the Gautam Buddha Award as the best full-length film at the Nepal International Film Festival.
‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ is directed by Mohammad Rabbi Mridha and produced by Abu Shahed Emon.
Producer Abu Shahed Emon said their film was first screened at the Busan International Film Festival. It has been screened at various film festivals around the world. It previously received the special critics award at the Jaffna Film Festival in Sri Lanka, he informed.
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However, this is the first time they have bagged the best film award under the main category at any festival.
The film stars National Award-winning actress Dipannita Martin, Mostafa Monwar and Priyam Archie.
Jazmine Sullivan wins second Grammy
Jazmine Sullivan has won her second Grammy, and she gets this one all to herself.
Sullivan won best R&B album at the Grammy Awards on Sunday for “Heaux Tales.”
“I think I wrote this album to deal with my own shame around some of the decisions I made in my 20s,” the 34-year-old Sullivan said as she accepted the award. “What it ended up being was a safe space for black women to tell their stories.”
Read More: John Legend honored at Grammys' Black Music Collective event
Earlier Sunday, Sullivan won her first Grammy, for best R&B performance, for “Pick Up Your Feelings.” The win was a tie with Silk Sonic.
Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in a video message at the Grammy Awards to ask for support in telling the story of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia.
During the message that aired on the show Sunday, he likened the invasion to a deadly silence threatening to extinguish the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can’t hear them,” he said. “But the music will break through anyway.”
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Independence Award: Amir Hamza’s name dropped from list
The name of Amir Hamza has been dropped from the list of "Swadhinata Padak" (Independence Award) recipients due to a controversy over his past.
The Cabinet Division on Friday published a revised list dropping his name.
Earlier, Amir Hamza was picked for the prestigious award in the literature category posthumously.
On March 15, the government chose ten renowned personalities, including Amir Hamza, and an institution for the "Swadhinata Padak 2022", the highest state award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.
Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, Colonel Khandaker Nazmul Huda (posthumous), Abdul Jalil, Siraj Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Sahiudiin Biswas (posthumous) and Sirazul Haque (posthumous) have been named for their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War.
Prof Dr Kanak Kanti Barua and Prof Dr Md Kamrul Islam will receive the highest state award for their contributions to medicine.
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Syed Mainul Hossain (posthumous) will get the award for his contribution to architecture.
Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI) have also been chosen for the award in the research and training category.
Since 1977, Bangladesh has been recognising individuals and institutions with the award every year ahead of the Independence Day.
OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award: Bangladesh's Gawsia among top women climate scientists
Bangladesh's Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury and five more researchers have been awarded the 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for early-career women scientists in the developing world.
The award is a recognition of their contributions to research that is helping tackle climate change and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life Below Water) and SDG15 (Life on Land).
The winners' research explores a wide range of environmental impacts and their potential solutions: from turning waste into man-made soil; transforming plastic pollution into viable products for community trade; harnessing the power of microbes to improve carbon storage and soil quality; and using the right types of plants with roots to help prevent soil erosion and encourage soil "plasticity."
Dr Gawsia, professor of zoology at the University of Dhaka (DU), has won the award in biological systems and organisms for her work on the conservation of aquatic ecosystems and threatened species in Bangladesh.
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Her work focuses on assessing the extent of and the risks from plastic pollution, which is closely linked to climate change. Microplastics and other plastics enter the waterways in Bangladesh from fishing nets, among other sources, and are harmful to threatened species and habitats.
The prize also acknowledges the scientists' commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the use of innovative technologies in their research.
Dr Gawsia is leading an effort to educate women in poor and marginalised fishing communities about how discarded Nylon-6 fishing nets can be turned into value-added products such as carpets and clothing, creating an alternative income source for the communities while protecting the wetland habitats.
"Winning this award is like a promise to continue my research and teaching with new hope. This award gives me a scope to prove what women in science and conservation can achieve while working hard with sincere commitment," Gawsia said.
"I believe this award will inspire my daughter, my students and everyone here in Bangladesh to showcase that with different limitations, scientific research can be done and achieved recognition worldwide."
Dr Gawsia received her bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from DU in 2003 and 2005. She was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship to study for her PhD in zoology at the University of Cambridge, which she completed in 2012.
Since 2013, the researcher has worked at DU, teaching animal diversity, wetland ecology and other topics in zoology. She has received many awards and grants, including the Wildlife Conservation Society Fellowship.
Dr Gawsia is a board member of the conservation organisation WildTeam and a member of the Zoological Society of Bangladesh and has been appointed regional co-chair of the South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The scientist was the country lead for the National Geographic "Sea to Source: Ganges" expedition in 2019-2020.
Also read: Climate Conscious Architecture: Bangladesh’s Rainwater-harvesting Hospital Wins International Award
She aspires to get more women engaged in science education and conservation efforts in Bangladesh and to make scientific findings understandable to the public.
The other researchers who have won the award are Myriam Mujawamariya of the University of Rwanda in biological systems and organisms, Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed of the Al-Saeed University in biological systems and organisms, Heyddy Calderon of the Instituto de Geología y Geofísica in engineering sciences, Ashani Ssavinda Ranathunga of the University of Moratuwa in engineering sciences, and Flor de Mayo Gonzalez Miranda of San Carlos University in engineering sciences.
"What our 2022 winners are doing is absolutely outstanding. Climate change is the most pressing challenge of our time, and these women are finding innovative and effective ways to address it in their local contexts. We hope this award is the first of many for them," Jennifer Thomson, president of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), said.
First awarded in 2013, the award is given in partnership by the OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation.
The OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a prominent scientific gathering to provide them with vital networking opportunities.
This year's award ceremony will take place on March 24, both virtually and in-person as part of the International Conference on Gender Action and Climate Change in Turkey at the Istanbul Aydin University.
Ylann Schemm, director of the Elsevier Foundation said: "We have reshaped our award this year to respond to the key challenges of our time, such as climate change, and supporting the progress being made around the UN SDGs."
"We know that a quarter of all women are engaged in agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to both climate change and resource scarcity. We want to reflect the critical role that women can play in successfully addressing climate shifts."
Unilever's Sakshi named among top global HR leaders in Bangladesh
The human resources (HR) director of Unilever Bangladesh has been recognised as one of "The Top Most Global HR Leaders" in Bangladesh by the World HRD Congress.
Endorsed by the CHRO Global and the World Federation of HR Professionals, Sakshi Handa has been honoured with the prestigious award for her contribution and professional achievements as a purpose-driven thought leader in human resources development, namely in Bangladesh.
She will be officially conferred the title at the 30th edition of the World HRD Congress and Awards Ceremony in March in India's Mumbai.
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"The Top Most Global HR Leaders" selection is part of the World HRD Congress which marks its 30th year in 2022. It is an iconic listing of HR leaders and professionals who have created value with immense talent, ethical conduct and demonstrated standards of professionalism and performance.
"I believe in the power of compassionate leadership, empowering my team to lead with an employee-centric approach and making the HR function a strategic partner to the business," Sakshi, who describes herself as having a mind for business and a heart for people, said.
With 17 years of HR experience, Sakshi has been the HR director of Unilever Bangladesh since September 2019.
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"On behalf of Unilever Bangladesh, it would be a privilege for me to humbly accept the award as a testimony of Unilever's commitment towards people development," she said.
IBBL gets 'Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Asia' award
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) recently won the "Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Asia" honour at the 7th Islamic Retail Banking Awards.
The Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance awarded banks and retail financial institutions based on the global ranking of Islamic banks and retail financial institutions from Asia, Africa, and the US.
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Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director of IBBL, handed over the recently-received award to Professor Md Nazmul Hassan, chairman of the bank, says a media statement.
IBBL receives ICMAB Best Corporate Award
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has received the gold award of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) Best Corporate Award 2020 in the private commercial bank (Islamic operation) category.
Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO of the bank, received the award from Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi in the capital Thursday.
Read Robi wins silver at ICMAB Best Corporate Award
JQM Habibullah, deputy managing director and company secretary of IBBL, joined the event.
Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, chairman of Standard Bank and former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, AKM Delwer Hussain, president of the South Asian Federation of Accountants, were also present.
Read Pran gets ICMAB Best Corporate Award
61 organisations win ICMAB Best Corporate Award
Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) has honoured 61 organisations under different categories with ‘Best Corporate Award 2020’.
The ICMAB, at its flagship event organized a city hotel on Thursday,honored the organizations dividing in 18 categories after reviewing their performances based on respective annual reports, said a press release.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi addressed the award ceremony as the chief guest while Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) chairman Prof. Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman, Standard Bank Limited & Past President, FBCCI Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed and President of South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) A. K. M. Delwer Hussain FCMA spoke as special guests.
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The 18 award categories were Nationalized Commercial Bank; Private Commercial Bank; Private Commercial Bank (Islamic Operation); Non-bank Financial Institution; General Insurance; Life Insurance; Pharmaceuticals; Cement; Textile; Multinational Company; Others Manufacturing; Power Generation; Oil, Gas & Energy; NGO; Agro and Food Processing; Trading & Assembly and Telecommunication and Corporate Excellence Award.
In the Nationalized Commercial Bank Category Sonali Bank Limited was honoured with 1st (gold) and 2nd (silver) Rupali Bank Limited.
In the Private Commercial Bank Category BRAC Bank Limited won 1st (gold), Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited & Trust Bank Limited jointly bagged 2nd (silver) and Pubali Bank Ltd 3rd (bronze).
Read Robi wins silver at ICMAB Best Corporate Award
In the Private Commercial Bank (Islamic Operation) Category Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited won 1st (gold), Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd 2nd (silver) and Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited 3rd (bronze).
In Non-bank financial institution Category IDLC Finance Limited bagged1st (gold),IPDC Finance Limited 2nd (silver) and LankaBangla Finance & Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation Ltd 3rd (bronze).
In General insurance Category, Green Delta Insurance Company Limited was honoured with 1st (gold), Nitol Insurance Co. Ltd. 2nd (silver) and Reliance Insurance Limited & Pioneer Insurance Company Limited jointly won 3rd (bronze).
Read IBBL receives ICMAB Best Corporate Award
In Life Insurance Category Pragati Life Insurance Co. Ltd won 1st (gold), Sandhani Life Insurance Company Ltd 2nd (silver) and Meghna Life Insurance Co. Ltd 3rd (bronze).
In Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Category Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Bagged 1st (gold), Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited & Orion Pharma Ltd. jointly 2nd (silver) and Renata Limited & ACI Limited jointly 3rd (bronze).
In Cement Manufacturing Category 1st (gold) Premier Cement Mills Limited, 2nd (silver) LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Limited and 3rd (bronze) M.I. Cement Factory Limited.
Read Pran gets ICMAB Best Corporate Award
In Textile Manufacturing Category 1st (gold) Paramount Textile Limited, 2nd (silver) Square Textile Ltd and 3rd (bronze) Envoy Textiles Limited.
In MNC Manufacturing Category 1st (gold) British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Ltd, 2nd (silver) Marico Bangladesh Limited and 3rd (bronze) Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd.
In Others Manufacturing Category 1st (gold) Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills Ltd., 2nd (silver) RAK Ceramics (Bangladesh) Limited and 3rd (bronze) BBS Cables Ltd.
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In Power Generation Category 1st (gold) Summit Power Limited, Jointly 2nd (silver) United Power Generation and Distribution Co. Ltd. & Doreen Power Generations and Systems Ltd and jointly 3rd (bronze) Baraka Power Limited & Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited.
In Oil, Gas & Energy Category: 1st (gold) Linde Bangladesh Limited, 2nd (silver) MJL Bangladesh Limited and 3rd (bronze) Meghna Petroleum Limited
In NGO Category: 1st (gold) BRAC, 2nd (silver) UCEP Bangladesh and jointly 3rd (bronze) Action Aid- Bangladesh & Ghashful.
Read Islami Bank receives ICMAB best corporate award
In Agro and Food Processing Category: 1st (gold) Olympic Industries Ltd, 2nd (silver) Agricultural Marketing Co. Ltd. and 3rd (bronze) Golden Harvest Agro Industries Ltd.
In Trading & Assembly Category: 1st (gold) Runner Automobiles Limited, 2nd (silver) Chittagong Dry Dock Limited and Jointly 3rd (bronze) Aftab Automobiles Limited & Dockyard & Engineering Works.
In Telecommunication Category: 1st (gold) Grameen Phone Limited, 2nd (silver) Robi Axiata Limited and Jointly 3rd (bronze) Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited & aamra networks limited.
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Besides, Walton Hi tech Industries Ltd won the Corporate Excellence Award.
Prof Saleemul Huq wins OBE for climate fight
The UK has awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honour to Professor Saleemul Huq for his work to combat climate change in Bangladesh and build climate expertise in Bangladesh, in the UK, and around the globe. Prof Huq has dedicated his professional life to helping developing countries and vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
His scientific research, at leading universities and centres of excellence in the UK and in Bangladesh, has informed international policy on climate change for over 35 years.
Accepting his OBE, Prof Huq said it is a great honour and pleasure for him to receive the OBE.
"As a dual Bangladeshi and British citizen, I have been working for two decades to enhance collaboration between the universities and researchers in both countries to tackle the twin global challenges of poverty eradication and dealing with climate change.” Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said he is delighted that Prof Huq has been recognised with one of the UK’s most prestigious honours.
"With his passion, eloquence, and commitment to an all-of-society approach, Huq has deservedly become one of the most trusted and respected global commentators on the climate crisis. He also symbolises the very strong intellectual and people-to-people links between the UK and Bangladesh," he said. Judith Herbertson, Development Director, British High Commission Dhaka, said there is overwhelming evidence that, if global temperatures exceed the 1.5°C limit agreed in Paris, climate change will bring dangerous and irreversible impacts with the poorest and most vulnerable people suffering the most, including millions in Bangladesh.
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"Professor Huq has been a stalwart partner over the last many years always encouraging greater ambition, more attention to evidence and research, and a focus on locally-led adaptation.” In Bangladesh, Prof Huq has been a leading author of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan as well as contributing to the Nationally Determined Contribution and National Action Plan on Adaptation.
He is also a close adviser to the government on climate action, and a pivotal member of the Bangladeshi delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), having participated in all 26 Conferences of the Parties.
He is a leading public voice on the urgent imperative of climate action. In the UK, Prof Huq has led the climate change team at the International Institute for Environment and Development, contributing to the wealth of scientific evidence for climate change, how this constrains development, and how the UK can best support climate action in vulnerable countries, including through advising on UK Aid programmes. Globally, Huq has been a lead author in the third, fourth and fifth Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which have raised global awareness to the evidence for climate change, the potential and visible impacts, and the need for urgent and universal action.
He was a member of the IPCC that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. In the UNFCCC, Huq advises the Least Developed Countries group.
He has also been an adviser to the Climate Vulnerable Forum, an association of 55 climate-vulnerable nations, which was instrumental in securing commitment from all parties to aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C – a central goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Professor Saleemul Huq is the Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is Professor at the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB).
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He is also Chair of the Expert Advisory Group for the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Senior Adviser on Locally Led Adaptation with Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) headquartered in the Netherlands.