JCD leader Awal elected ambassador of PKU Dongfang Scholarship

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Vice-President Touhidur Rahman Awal has been elected ambassador of the Chinese Peking University (PKU) Dongfang Scholarship programme, securing the highest number of votes in an election among representatives from 54 countries.

The Peking University secured 13th place in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Awal represented Bangladesh in the Dongfang Scholarship programme, arranged by Peking University for emerging political leaders, said a press release.

A total of 54 representatives from 54 countries participated in this year's programme.

According to the election rules, Peking University, China, elects the ambassador through a direct vote.

In the closely contested election, Awal secured the highest 19 votes to become the ambassador. His closest contender, Lorena Ponce, an adviser to the vice president of Ecuador, received 17 votes, while Zimbabwe's State Minister for Home Affairs Albert Mavunga secured eight votes and Maldives Deputy Minister Ahmed Arim received five votes.

In his immediate reaction, JCD leader Dr Awal expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for providing him with the opportunity to participate in the scholarship programme.

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"I have made my utmost efforts to uphold their trust. Through being elected ambassador, I have made Bangladesh to stand tall on the global stage," he said.

Awal also said representatives from the participating countries had expressed their firm commitment to extending cooperation to Bangladesh and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.