Eastern Bank Presents Teaching Aid Stuff to DU Department of Development Studies

Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) presented some teaching aid materials including laptop computers, multimedia projectors, printers and others to the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka to enhance effectiveness of their teaching and research environment at a ceremony held at the conference hall of Bangladesh Bank on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

In presence of Central Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman and Deputy Governor SK. Sur Chowdhury, EBL Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar handed over the stuff to the Chairman of DU Department of Development Studies, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan. Professor Dr. M. Abu Eusuf, Department of Development Studies and Director of Center on Budget and Policy along with senior officials of the Bangladesh Bank and Eastern Bank were present among others at the ceremony.

“Bangladesh Bank always encourages CSR activities by the local financial institutions” said Dr. Atiur Rahman in his speech as the chief guest. “Spending in CSR activities by the financial institutions in Bangladesh has grown over 10 times in last 6 years and presently amounts Tk 500 crore” he noted.

“In EBL we believe that Investing in the society in which we operate in is basically investing in our own future” said Ali Reza Iftekhar.

“Sustainable growth can only be achieved through building social capital by enabling talent, promoting equal opportunity and driving social change. In keeping with our corporate culture, we aim to raise social capital by investing in education.”

In this regard, he referred to EBL’s partnership alliance with Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) since 2007. Under the joint programme, EBL has been awarding scholarships to deserving students, at least four from each department, to pursue their education and to prepare them to enter into the job market. Last year 566 deserving students of University of Dhaka were awarded scholarships under ‘EBL-DUAA Inspiration’ financial grant programme.

Talking about the recently introduced EBL Nest, a capacity enhancement center by the bank EBL Managing Director said, “The concept of the center is to inspire innovation and creativity among EBL employees by giving them an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The traditional concept of office space has been totally reworked here at the center.”

Department of Development Studies and its associated Centre on Budget and Policy have achieved a degree of national and international recognition in the recent years. The Department is running seven regular programmes from undergraduate through doctoral levels- as well as several professional development schemes targeting public and private sector corporate managers. (Source: Press Release)