Founded in 1993, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) is one of the oldest and leading private universities in Bangladesh where academic excellence is a tradition, teaching a passion and lifelong learning a habit. IUB currently has more than 9,800 undergraduate and graduate students and over 13,700 alumni. The students of IUB experience an exciting academic life with copious opportunities to explore and nurture their innate talent.
Live in Field Experience (LFE) is a signature course of IUB. It allows IUB students, most of whom come from urban settings, to have an immersive experience of everyday life in rural Bangladesh. Unique in Bangladesh, the overarching idea, which owes its roots to some of the leading social thinkers of this region, is to bridge the gap in knowledge that an urban student has about their rural counterparts. As part of the LFE, which is a mandatory course, small groups of students (usually 5-10, mix of male and female, and English and Bangla medium backgrounds) spend a certain amount of time at different locations in Bangladesh and experience life in the fields.
IUB Partners with UN Global Compact Network Bangladesh to Promote Ethical Citizenship
14/05/2024
In a collaborative effort to instill the values of good citizenship and ethical conduct among university students, the United Nations Global Compact Network Bangladesh (GCNB) and Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) came together to host an interactive educational workshop on Thursday, 3 August 2023. The workshop, titled ‘Fostering Good Citizenship & Ethical Values Among University Students’, was held on IUB campus and was designed to equip students with working knowledge of integrity and ethics, and understand their real-world implications.
The workshop commenced with an introduction by GCNB Coordinator Juliana Awo Quist Lawson who briefed about GCNB’s ongoing endeavors. She explained the ‘10 Principles about Integrity and Ethics’, providing students with a framework for ethical decision-making which is at the core of responsible citizenship. A highlight of Ms. Lawson's session was a candid discussion on tackling corruption. Drawing from her own experiences, she shed light on the multifaceted nature of corruption and strategies to combat it. Ms. Lawson encouraged students to engage in dialogue and to actively share their individual encounters to gain a multidimensional grasp of integrity and ethics.
Educational consultant Olive Kwao was a guest trainer and delved into the various types of organizational culture and integrity and provided students with insights into maintaining ethical standards within professional environments. Ms. Kwao facilitated small group sessions where students worked collaboratively to analyze and present case studies. This exercise encouraged critical thinking and practical application of ethical principles. The students demonstrated exceptional creativity as they reflected on the best course of action for the presented scenarios. The visiting experts commended each student for their thoughtful contributions and applauded their fresh perspectives.
The partnership between GCNB and IUB, along with the dynamic facilitation by Juliana Awo Quist Lawson and Olive Kwao, resulted in an event that not only educated but also inspired. The participants left the workshop equipped with a heightened awareness of ethical conduct, prepared to become responsible citizens and leaders of integrity in an ever-evolving world.