April 17, 2025 — A Knowledge Sharing Seminar organized by KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) was successfully held at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Cumilla. The event brought together distinguished guests, scholars, faculty members of BARD, health cadre officials and alumni to share insights on the transformative impact of KOICA programs on Bangladesh's public sector.

The seminar was graced by the presence of Mr. Saif Uddin Ahmed, Director General of BARD, who welcomed the guests and emphasized the significance of global cooperation in public service innovation. Ms. Kong Sujin, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh Office, delivered insightful remarks underscoring KOICA’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and capacity-building in Bangladesh.

Among the esteemed guests were Ms. Mst. Nasima Begum, Senior Secretary (Retired) and President of the KOICA-Bangladesh Alumni Association (KBAA), and Mr. Md. Forhad Siddique, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and General Secretary of KBAA. Both shared their experiences and perspectives on how KOICA training and exposure have contributed to their professional and personal development.

A key highlight of the seminar was a presentation by Mr. Abdulla Al Mamun, Assistant Director of BARD and KOICA-KAIST fellow, titled “Empowering Public Servant through KOICA: A Gateway to Global Knowledge & Innovation.” In his talk, Mr. Mamun illustrated how KOICA’s programs have played a pivotal role in enhancing the capacities of public officials through international knowledge exchange, innovative policy exposure, and leadership development. The seminar was anchored by Ms. Saifun Nahar, Joint Director, BARD.   

The seminar served as a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas and reinforcing the shared vision of sustainable development through international cooperation. It concluded with a commitment from both KOICA and BARD to continue fostering collaboration and capacity-building for the betterment of public services in Bangladesh.