The Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSG) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and its student club Global Gatekeepers observed Global Day 2025 on November 23, 2025. The three-day flagship event included an academic seminar, the award-giving ceremony of the IUB Global Intra Model United Nations (IUBGIMUN) 2025, and a colorful cultural program.

The activities marked the closing of the two-day IUBGIMUN Conference held on November 21–22, organized by the Global Gatekeepers club. GSG and Global Gatekeepers observe Global Day as the department’s foundation day each year, with a large-scale celebration aligned with the United Nations theme.

The closing session began with an academic seminar titled “Building Our Future Together: Hopes and Lessons,” aligned with the United Nations theme for 2025. His Excellency Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, attended as the Chief Guest, alongside other distinguished guests.

The ceremony was conducted by Dr. Md Shanawez Hossain, Associate Professor of GSG. It opened with a dance performance of “Aguner Poroshmoni” by members of the IUB Dance Club.

Dr. Imtiaz A Hussain, Professor of GSG, said, “Global Studies and Governance was introduced at IUB in 2017, the first such program in Bangladesh, to make our students more capable of addressing global issues and diplomacy. The program has fulfilled its purpose with dedication and remains open to continuous improvement. What began with only six undergraduate students has now grown to include hundreds, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing global education.”

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. M. Tamim said, “At IUB, we are committed to nurturing globally minded, ethically responsible citizens. Understanding the global perspective is crucial for Bangladesh’s advancement. I congratulate the student organizers for designing an event around the theme ‘History, Authority, Accountability.’ Authority without accountability or transparency can turn into an authoritarian regime. The theme is time-appropriate, and despite uncomfortable discussions, we must face and speak the truth.”

Mr. Didar A Hussain, Chairman, Board of Trustees, IUB, said, “IUB has come a long way and the Global Studies department has made us proud. Indeed, we are in a very difficult time. But we must remember that in the global village, we are all inter-related. You must read this book ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Hemingway, and the author quotes John Donne ‘For whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.’ It is very true and nobody is safe in this world. We all survive together.”

Ambassador Tariq A Karim (Retd), Advisor to IUB’s Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBoBS), delivered the keynote address. He said, “If we are to build now for a better future, the first step is to learn from both our times and from our failures in the past. The past has shown us that division leads only to stagnation and pain, be it wars, discrimination, or exclusion. But history also reminds us of moments where humanity overcame divisions. It shows us that empathy is powerful, dialogue over debate convinces the best, and a globally shared purpose unites all of us like nothing else.”

Shah Asif Rahman, Director General, United Nations Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “This year’s UN theme ‘Building our future together’ celebrates the 80th anniversary of the UN. This phrase calls not for passive optimism but for active hope. Not for solitary effort but for burden sharing and common purpose. We are also reminded that the future is not something we inherit; it is something we build deliberately and courageously together. We live in a time when humanity is suspended between immense possibility and profound peril.”

Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager, UNOPS Bangladesh, said, “The UN is the only forum where 193 countries sit together and find common ground to agree upon many global issues. It is also the only global forum where the voice of marginalized communities is amplified for the world.”

H.E. Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, said, “The UN is more than an institution or a platform for member states to deliberate on global issues. It is an embodiment of people’s collective commitment and shared responsibilities. Unfortunately, today this very spirit of relating with each other and our problems is missing. The pressing issues that were discussed during this workshop, and the debates were enlightening and insightful.”

Dr. Marufa Akter, Associate Professor and Head, GSG, said, “We have taken this platform as a practice. We wanted our students to practice internally before they go out in the world. I am happy that we were able to organize this event successfully. Our key takeaway is that we must learn from history, our mistakes, and hold on to hope. We bestow that hope and dream for a better future on our students.”

Japanese performer Mae Watanabe, of the musical duo Bajna Beat, performed a bilingual song titled “Ami Laal-shobujer Desh, Tumi Shurjodoyer Desh.”

Awards and recognitions were then presented to Executive Board members, delegates, and committee performers. In the UNCSW committee, Raiyan Anwar Amin representing Norway was named Outstanding Delegate. In UNHRC, Nurey Tahsin of Qatar received Best Delegate, while Mahia Hussain was recognized as Outstanding Delegate. In the IP committee, Saif Radoun All Nahayan of Fox News was awarded Best Correspondent, and Syed Ali Ashraf received Outstanding Correspondent. In ECOSOC, Nafiza Tasnim representing Japan was named Best Delegate, and Abeer Hassan Samee was recognized as Outstanding Delegate. In DISEC, Razia Rahat Khan Lodi of India received Best Delegate, and Zarin Hadika Rahman Hiya of Qatar was recognized as Outstanding Delegate.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Daniel W. Lund delivered the Vote of Thanks. He said, “This is a fascinating event. When I look into the audience, I see the front row with decades and decades of age and experience and knowledge and understanding. Most students are in their early twenties. Imagine the decades of knowledge that is before you. Always grasp the opportunity to learn from those with decades of experience. There is much to learn. I thank the governance and leadership of IUB for always supporting good ideas that benefit the university's students, faculty, and staff, and ultimately the nation.”

The cultural program featured a series of performances by IUB students and guest artists. It began with a dance performance by the IUB Dance Club, followed by student performances including dance, music, K-pop, and a sarod presentation by Ashique. Bajna Beat, featuring Mae Watanabe, presented Japanese–Bangla fusion songs, followed by a concert by Kishore Claudius. The evening concluded with a grand dinner.

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