DHAKA: A daylong International Conference is set to be held at Bashundhara campus of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in Dhaka on February 23.

Global Studies and Governance (GSG) Program at IUB has organized the Conference -- China, India & the United States in Bangladesh: Cultivating Competitive Cooperation, says a press release issued by IUB on Wednesday (February 22).

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat is expected to attend the Inaugural Session of the Conference as chief guest.

BIMSTEC Secretary General (Dhaka) Sumith Nakandala will also speak on the occasion along with former Ambassador Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, adjunct Professor of IUB and former pro-vice chancellor of BRAC University.

Chairman of Board of Trustees of IUB Rashed Chowdhury will deliver the welcome speech.

Besides, IUB vice-chancellor Prof. M Omar Rahman; SLASS Dean Dr. Mahbub Alam; and GSG program head Dr. Imtiaz A. Hussain will also speak on the occasion.

ESTCDT Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker will give a formal vote of thanks upon conclusion of the inaugural session.

Through three sessions of the daylong Conference, eleven papers will be presented by renowned academics and researchers of national and international institutions, including Dr. Francisco Haro Navejas and Professor Cristina Tapia Muro from University of Colima, Mexico; Dr. Syed Mahmud Ali, former Associate, East Asia International Affairs Program, London School of Economics, IDEAS; former ambassador Mr. Munshi Faiz Ahmad, director, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies; Ashfaqur Rahman, former ambassador to China; and Major General Muhammad Ashab Uddin, former ambassador to Kuwait and Yemen.

Former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, executive director of Center for Policy Dialogue Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Research Initiatives Dr. Meghna Guhathakurta and former Ambassador to USA M. Humayun Kabir will moderate different sessions and put their valuable remarks based on their long experience.

During the closing session, noted citizens will share their firsthand experiences and express views on how Bangladesh can maintain and nurture important strategic relations with USA, China, and India to prosper.

All papers that will be presented throughout the day will be reviewed thoroughly and a comprehensive “plan of action” will be developed eventually, the release added.

There will also be a widespread questions-answers session during the closing part. Foreign and local diplomats, academics, policymakers, members of faculty and administration of IUB and students will attend the Conference.

BDST: 1650 HRS, FEB 22, 2017
SR/SMS