Institute of Governance Studies BRAC University

Monthly Updates, August 2013

Proposal Writing Training Course For IGS Researchers

Ineke A Pitts of MDF South Asia, with IGS Researchers

IGS Research Associates S M Gubair Bin Arafat and Saika Nudrat Chowdhury and Research Assistants Afrina Islam, Nabila Zaman and Kazi Niaz Ahmed completed a seven-day training course on Proposal Training held between 29 July-1 August and on 18, 21 and 22 August 2013. The training programme was conducted by Ineke A Pitts, Branch Director/ Course Director of MDF South Asia, Training & Consultancy. The training was held at IGS Conference Room

Certificate Awarding Ceremony of

Environmental Management and Governance Course

Vice Chancellor Prof. Ainun Nishat and Dr. Rizwan Khair at the Certificate Awarding Ceremony

The Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the 5th batch of Environmental Management and Governance Course was held on 7 August 2013 at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, BRAC University. Prof. Ainun Nishat, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, handed over the certificates among the 7 participants who have successfully completed the course. IGS Director Dr. Rizwan Khair and the Course Coordinator and the Research Associate of IGS S M Gubair Bin Arafat were also present at the ceremony.

IGS Sr. Finance Officer Participated in a Training in Malaysia

Trainer and the Participants in a training session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

IGS Senior Finance Officer Mohd. Nurul Hyder Bhuiyan participated in a 5-day training programme on FM1: Practical Financial Management to NGOs: Getting the Basics Right held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19-23 August 2013. The training programme was organised by Management Accounting for Non Governmental Organisations (MANGO), an UK-based organisation. Around 10 participants from India, Thailand, Germany, Malaysia and Bangladesh participated in this training.

CIPS News

Training of Trainers Refreshers Course

Paul Robinson, from CIPS UK, and the participants of ToT Refreshers course

IGS organised an 8-day Training of Trainers (ToT) Refreshers programme for Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 and 5 trainers, which was held on 24 August to 1 September at BRAC University. Paul Robinson from CIPS, UK conducted the training sessions. Around 25 Procurement Trainers from different government and non-government organisations attended this training programme.

Selection Test and Induction Held

For CIPS Cohort 3 & 4

Pro VC Professor Fuad Hassan Mallick and DG of CPTU Amulya Kumar Debnath addressing at the Induction programme

IGS organised an Induction programme for the selected participants of CIPS Cohort 3 & 4 on 31

August 2013 at the BRAC University Auditorium. 50 Participants out of 118 candidates from different government organisations were selected for this course through a selection test that was held on 24 August 2013 at BRAC University. Among Others, Pro Vice Chancellor of BRAC University Professor Fuad Hassan Mallick, Lead Procurement Specialist of The World Bank, Dhaka Office, Dr. Zafrul Islam, Director General of Central Procurement Technical Unit, IME Division, Amullya Kumar Debnath and Head of International Development of CIPS, UK Sheila White and IGS Director Dr. Rizwan Khair were attended programme.

Admission Test for MPSM held

An admission test for the fall semester 2013 of Masters in Procurement and Supply Management (MPSM) was held at the BRAC University on 31 August 2013. IGS Training wing facilitated the test.

MAGD News

Lecture/Discussions/Field Visit

Dr. Gowher Rizvi in discussion during a session with the participants of MAGD Programme As part of the Masters in Governance and Development (MAGD) programme, a number of lectures/discussions were held during the month of August 2013. All of these sessions were organised by IGS. Vice Chancellor of BRAC University Professor Ainun Nishat spoke on Climate Change and its Protocol during a session held on 25 August, 2013 at the BRAC University Conference Room. A panel discussion was held on 27 August 2013 at the BRAC Business School conference room for the students of MAGD Programme. As panel discussants, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Gowher Rizvi, IGS Director Dr. Rizwan Khair, Professor Nika Salveti and PS to Prime Minister’s Advisor Devabrata Chakraborty spoke on the matters of Governance, Innovative Governance, Participatory Governance and CSR at the session.

Field Visit to Savar

Participants of the MAGD Programme during field visit to Aakran Village of Savar

A field visit of MAGD students was organised on 20-22 August 2013 as part of the activities of MAGD Programme. During the field visit, the students had the opportunity to visit different BRAC projects situated in Savar area. They also visited the Akran Village of Savar Upazilla as part of their visit. IGS Academic Coordinator Dr. Md. Zohurul Islam and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed supervised the field trip. Publications by IGS Staff:

Newspapers Articles:

The Daily Star: Political violence: Serious threat to human security by Kazi Niaz Ahmed, 25 August 2013

The Daily Star: Egyptian tragedy and lessons for Bangladesh by Manzoor Hasan, 22 August 2013

The Daily Star: Dealing with foreign exchange reserves by M Shahidul Islam, 21 August 2013

The Daily Star: Egypt: Where political wisdom is a far cry by Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, 3 August 2013

Policy Note:

M Shahidul Islam, Research Fellow, Dealing with Foreign Exchange Reserves, August 2013