The Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the 28th Specialized Diplomatic Training Course (SDTC) was held on Monday ( Jan 30) at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen was the Chief Guest of the ceremony. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam as the Guest of Honour and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen as the Special Guest attended the event.
"Our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman left us with a wonderful constitution that uphold human rights, democracy and justice for all. He left us with a dream, dream of 'Sonar Bangla', a prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh that will ensure right to vote, food, clothe, shelter, education and health care services for all,” Momen said.
"Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in order to realize Bangabandhu's dream, has been working very hard and due to her Hasinanomic's we have achieved many of these goals and we plan to achieve 'Sonar Bangla' by 2041," he added.
Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has become a role model of development under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "To achieve our roadmap of 'Sonar Bangla,' our diplomats have to play a more critical role in the upcoming days," he said.
State Minister Shahriar Alam hoped that the young diplomats would be motivated to continue learning and will assist in projecting the image of Bangladesh on the international stage, while holding on to Bangabandhu’s policy of "Friendship to all, malice towards none."
The State Minister advised the new officers to be committed to the country and countrymen. "Many things you were taught and you will be attending further training, you will be learning from the job that you do. But the one thing that will always help you -- the love and affection of this place and the country Bangladesh. If you are true to yourself and your love to your country and countrymen is genuine, I do not think that anything can stop you from doing what you are tasked to do."
The Rector of the Foreign Service Academy, Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams in her welcome speech highlighted the Academy’s efforts in preparing the young diplomats with the Vision of Smart Bangladesh, as the youths of today hold the key for a prosperous future.
The Inspector General of Missions, Ambassador Asad Alam Siam lauded the joint initiative of the Foreign Service Academy and the University of Dhaka in cultivating a rich and purposeful training programme.
The Special Diplomatic Training Course is yearly conducted by the Foreign Service Academy, encompassing a wide range of modules. The 28th iteration of the course was held from March 2022 to January 2023, where 12 young officers of the 38th BCS Foreign Affairs Cadre took part.
Among the invited guests, Mr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor of the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Ms. Tuhfa Zaman Ali (wife of freedom-fighter ambassador and former Foreign Secretary Late Sayed Moazzem Ali) also. spoke at the event.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, distinguished members of the academia, and eminent persons form civil society graced the occasion with their presence. The ceremony was followed by a Graduation Dinner hosted by the Foreign Service Academy.
