Staff Reporter, Dhaka : Research and Professional Development Center (RPDC) of BRAC Business School (BBS) held the Closing Ceremony for Cohort-4 of উদ্যমী  আমি (Uddami Ami) training program in partnership with BRAC Bank Limited on November 4, 2023. The program trained 26 women entrepreneurs and hosted a Business Plan Pitch Competition. Ms. Nurun Naher won the competition and was awarded BDT 50,000 as prize money, Ms. Dil Afroz Naher and Ms. Margia Sultana were placed 1st Runner-Up and 2nd Runner-Up winning, BDT 30,000 and BDT 20,000 respectively.

The event was graced by the presence of Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University as the Chief Guest. Mr. Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, Director, SME & Special Programs Department, Bangladesh Bank, Mr. Indrajit Sur, Head of Emerging Corporate – SME Banking Division, BRAC Bank Limited, Dr. Laura Reichenbach, Dean, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Dr. David Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University and Professor Mohammad Mujibul Haque, Associate Dean and Acting Dean of BRAC Business School attended the event as special guest.

Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University praised BRAC Business School, Bangladesh Bank and BRAC Bank for their continuing support to women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh through the উদ্যমী আমি (Uddami Ami) training program.

Mr. Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, Director, SME & Special Programs Department, Bangladesh Bank, pointed out the fact that Bangladesh bank is backing women entrepreneurship by increasing fund available to women entrepreneurs through initiatives and services provided by commercial banks such as BRAC Bank Limited.

Mr. Indrajit Sur, Mr. Indrajit Sur, Head of Emerging Corporate – SME Banking Division, BRAC Bank Limited, emphasized how BRAC Bank focuses on women entrepreneurs and continuously innovating with new initiatives and financial products, especially for women.

Dr. Laura Reichenbach, Dean, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health graced the occasion with her immense experience in the public health sector and commented on the importance of promoting public awareness where women play a huge role.

Dr. David Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University also praised BBS for the continued impetus of BBS in facilitating entrepreneurship training to new and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dr. Mohammad Mujibul Haque, BRAC Business School Professor and Associate Dean (Acting Dean) thanked the guests for showing support to the initiative and spurred the women entrepreneurs by pointing out that despite improving on women empowerment, Bangladeshi women are still lagging in many indicators of economic participation and through entrepreneurship, the trainees of উদ্যমী আমি (Uddami Ami) are contributing to blostering Bangladesh economy.