Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) celebrated its Second Convocation on its campus Saturday (February 8, 2025) to recognize the achievements of its graduating students, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey.
The convocation was presided over by Professor Dr. Muhammad Fouzil Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Railways, and Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. He represented the President of Bangladesh and Chancellor of NDUB.
Addressing graduates, the Adviser said, “NDUB has equipped you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your careers. As you graduate, you now bear the responsibility to contribute to the progress of Bangladesh. You are pioneers in the nation’s reform efforts, and I believe you will play a key role in building a prosperous future for the country.”
The program began with an academic procession followed by recitations from the Holy Qur’an, Bible, Gita, and Tripitaka. Professor Dr. Fr. Patrick D. Gaffney, CSC, Vice Chancellor of NDUB, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. R. Scott Appleby, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, addressed the audience as the Convocation Speaker.
In his speech, Dr. Appleby said, “NDUB’s journey, though young, has been remarkable. In just 11 years, it has become a beacon of academic excellence, fostering values like truth, justice, and peace. As graduates, you are now prepared to lead and make an impact globally. You have gained the ability to see with clarity, act with courage, and lead with integrity. The world is waiting for you—go forward with the confidence of an NDUB alumnus and make a positive difference.”
Fr. Patrick said, “NDUB has grown rapidly, and today we celebrate the achievements of our graduates. Your education here is about more than just academic success; it’s about developing the ethical judgment and moral responsibility to make a difference in the world. As you move forward, carry the values of compassion, respect, and humanity, and dedicate yourselves to serving society.”
Several dignitaries, including Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossen, Member of the University Grants Commission, Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, and Dr. Fr. George Kamal Rozario, CSC, Chairman of NDUB Board of Trustees, also spoke on the occasion. Fr. Ashim Theotonius Gonsalves, CSC, Deputy Registrar of NDUB, conferred degrees upon the graduates.
In recognition of academic excellence, two students received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award and seven students got the Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award who demonstrated outstanding achievements, while the Quinlivan Silver Medal Award were presented to four students, Archbishop T. A. Ganguly, CSC, Silver Medal Award to three students, Fr. Benjamin Costa Bronze Medal Award to seven students, and Fr. Peixotto Bronze Medal Award to two students. In addition, Prof, Dr. Parimal Chandra Datta, Professor of the Department of Business Administration, was awarded with Fr. Basil Anthony M. Moreau Gold Medal Award for his outstanding academic contribution.
The ceremony concluded with cultural performances by the NDUB students and an exciting band performance by “Shironamhin” in the second part of the program.
