Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said the primary goal of earning a degree should not be limited to securing a high salary or attractive benefits.

“Rather, the new generation must enter professional life with a strong sense of responsibility toward family, society, the nation, and nature,” she said.
Rizwana emphasised that change never comes automatically; a country moves forward only through values, responsibility, and changes in individual behavior.

She made the remarks while delivering the convocation address at the Second Convocation 2025 of Sonargaon University, at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital.

Congratulating the graduating students, the environment adviser expressed her gratitude to their teachers and parents, noting that it is the parents’
limitless sacrifices and love that have enabled students to reach this important milestone.

Describing the transition from academic life to professional life as a “defining moment,” she urged graduates to ask themselves what they can contribute to the country and its people through their chosen careers.

Referring to environmental issues, she said that rivers, forests, and biodiversity are not created by humans, and “therefore, we have no right to destroy them in the name of development”.

The use of plastic and polythene, she added, is not merely an environmental issue but a question of the existence and security of future generations.Rizwana called upon students to initiate change by transforming their own behaviour rather than waiting for others to act.
On politics, the adviser said politics is not confined to partisan activities alone; it also includes human rights, government accountability, and civic responsibility.

Calling on young people to be politically aware and active, she stressed the need to move forward through national unity, dialogue, and tolerance instead of divisive politics.
Citing the July-August mass uprising, she said that the youth’s sacrifice and steadfastness are the main driving forces of change.
Speaking as the Chief Guest and Chair of the programme, Sharmeen S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare of the Interim Government, said men and women must progress equally in society, and that everyone must work together to build a democratic society.

The special guest at the event was Professor Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council.
Among others present were Sonargaon University Trustee Board Chairman and Founder Engineer Abdul Aziz; General Secretary and Founder Engineer Md. Abdul Alim; Executive Trustee Advocate Umme Salma; Trustee Board Adviser Azizul Bari (Shipu); L. Mir Abdul Alim; Vice-Chancellor Professor Shamim Ara Hasan; Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Bulbul Ahmed; Treasurer Professor Dr. Mohammad Ekramul Islam; along with deans, department heads, teachers, and students.

Graduates who completed their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various programmes from Spring 2021 to Summer 2025 participated in the convocation.
This year, a total of 96 meritorious students were awarded gold medals, including 13 Chancellor’s Gold Medals and 83 Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Medals. Later, prizes were also distributed through a lottery among participants of the tree plantation programme at Sonargaon University.