I was a student at the Department of Management of the University of Dhaka in the academic session 1977-1980. I passed B.Com. (Hons.) and M.Com. in Management respectively in 1980 and 1981 (the exam years). Upon the completion of m

Md. Washi-ur-Rahman, General Manager
Sonali Bank Limited

y education, I started my banking career as a Senior Officer (Financial Analyst) in Sonali Bank Limited in 1984.

During this long banking career I worked in different divisions, Branches and Principal Office, including overseas posting of Kolkata, India as CEO of India Operation of the Bank, prior to my present assignment as General Manager and Head of Chittagong Division of Sonali Bank limited. I am also a Diplomaed Associate of the Institute of Bankers, Bangladesh. I have already attended a number of training programmes, workshops and seminars at home and abroad.

As a man and as a banker, I feel very proud being a graduate product of Dhaka University, worldwide known as the Oxford of the Orient. From its humble inception in the year 1921, Dhaka University eventually emerges as beacon-light of knowledge and science, centre of education, source of inspiration for cultural activities and politics. These definitely made me engage in the multidimensional activities in life and society.

As a proud product of this University, especially as a postgraduate of management discipline, I feel to be very fortunate. We always hear that mismanagement is the prime problem in Bangladesh and as such it reveals that the aspect of management should be given utmost priority in Bangladesh. We are convinced that without good management whether it is in an organization or in a family- nothing can run fairly.

So, the Department of Management of the University of Dhaka is producing managerial graduates to cater to the needs of managerial force in Bangladesh. Since the introduction of the Management Department in 1970, it stands out as the centre of excellence for management education at home and abroad and has been able to stand the test of time and uphold its image at higher place till today.
Of course, the graduates of this Department are playing significant roles through teaching, training and professional development in the arena of public and private sector management at home and abroad. Whatever be the institution or the organization, be it a public or a private, we have keenly observed that there are active involvements or contributions of DU graduates in the management sphere of banks, insurances, schools, colleges, offices and others. Everywhere the students of DU have extended their hands. In the devel-opment of the country, DU graduates have made and making special contributions. Given the role and contribution of the Department of Management in spreading education as well as producing quality graduates to serve the nation, it is really praise-worthy.

I think the Department of Management of DU is quite aware of the present and future challenges and developments of the Management Profession. So, I believe it should take appropriate step to provide professional knowledge and enhance skills in management aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial manpower to meet the present and future challenges in the competitive world of the this new millennium.

In the finale, I thank the Management of The Guardian to give me a chance to talk about my beloved University of Dhaka and to focus on my Management Department in particular.