Online Desk: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa bin Yousef Al Duhailan has laid emphasis on quality education and engagement of the young generation to achieve the goal of Digital Bangladesh as set by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Improvement of education is very important to have a well-educated generation,” he said while speaking at a function at the Saudi Embassy on Sunday.

HerNet Foundation unveiled the fifth and concluding episode of “Bangladesh Decides: The Youth Speaks” (BDYS) at the Royal Saudi Arabia Embassy in Bangladesh.

The event was envisioned and conceptualized by the founding CEO and MD of HerNet TV, Alisha Pradhan.

The Ambassador said an Arabic Language Institution will be built in Bangladesh as a gift from the King of Saudi Arabia.

He remembered Bangladesh’s support including supply of medical materials to the KSA during Covid-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Essa said things will become easier with smooth and quick procedures through implementation of Digital Bangladesh.

“We don’t have to go to any authority. We just have our mobile phone and the relevant apps. You can do everything through mobile apps. This can facilitate everything,” he said.

The Ambassador said they have brought down visa issuance time from 45 days to two minutes only through digitalisation. “It’s an excellent achievement of the Saudi government.”

He said more than 5000 visas are being issued every single day from Bangladesh.

The envoy said there are 2.8 million Bangladeshis living in the KSA. “We appreciate their participation in our development and wellbeing of the KSA.”

He said tourism is also another area where there is scope to work together. “You have a beautiful country but you have to educate your people. You need little attention to further infrastructure development.”

The event was co-founded and supported by the EU Embassy in Bangladesh, demonstrating their commitment to empowering the youth of Bangladesh.

BDYS, a platform hosted by HerNet Foundation, aimed to explore and address the multifaceted identity challenges facing the youth in Bangladesh.

It brought together the brightest minds from ten prestigious universities, giving them the stage to share their insights, aspirations, and innovative solutions to the challenges confronting an evolving Bangladesh.

The dialogue was attended by six bright students from the North South University (NSU).

The topic for this episode is “Global Dynamics: Foreign Aid, National Sovereignty, and the Roles of Public and Private Sectors in Development from Bangladesh perspective.”

Professor Atiqul Islam, vice chancellor of NSU attended as the chief guest. The session was chaired by the Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh.

Dr. Sadeka Halim, vice chancellor of Jagannath University; Monir Prodhan, advisor of HerNet Group; Dr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Head of Delegation of European Union to Bangladesh; Professor AKM Mazharul Islam, Professor of Department of Anthropology of SUST;  Mahbubul Alam, President of FBCCI; Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA; Akhter Hossain, NSDA Principal Coordinator of Prime Minister Office; Hosna Prodhan, chairperson of HerNet TV; Atiqul Islam, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (virtually);  Zaved Akhter, Chairman & MD of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd;  Bibi Russell, Founder Bibi Production; Tasnuva Islam, Director of Le Meridian Dhaka;  Mohammad Quamrul Hassan, Business Director of ACI Consumer Brands, Prof Mekhala Sarker, psychiatrist of national institute mental health; Sabrina Shaheed, Principal of  Sir John Wilson school; Azeeza Khan,  director of Summit Group were present.

Alisha Pradhan, founder of the HerNet Group and a leader in social change, moderated the dialogue.

National Anthem was performed by the underprivileged children of SEID Trust and “Its Humanity Foundation”.

The event, “BDYS” was facilitated with the support of an array of partners: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh, French Embassy in Bangladesh, HerNet TV, IRF news agency, UNB, Somoy TV, Bangladesh Pratidin, , Kazi and Kazi Tea, HerNet BlissMind, Zonta, Blue Planet Group, Gold Sands Hotel and Resorts etc.