Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held its annual Career and Networking Day on May 6, 2025, drawing participation from nearly 60 organisations spanning a wide range of industries. The event, organised by the university's Office of Career Guidance, Placement and Alumni Relations (CGP&AR), brought together employers and students for a full day of networking, resume collection, training sessions, and on-campus interviews.

The opening ceremony was held at the IUB Multipurpose Hall and was attended by Didar A Husain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Prof. M Tamim, Vice Chancellor; and Prof. Daniel W. Lund, Pro Vice Chancellor. Also present were several trustees, senior faculty members, and industry representatives, including Mosfiqur Rahman Pavel, the CEO of Munshi HR Solutions Limited, and IUB alum Qazi Yamin Kabir Tushar, the Chief Marketing Officer of Eduko Pathways Bangladesh.

Addressing the students, Didar A Husain said, "Go where your heart takes you. Do what you want to do, what you like – not necessarily for monetary benefits. You need to create your own space, know where you're going, look at the opportunity, the people who are here to help you. Think deeply, and decide what you want to do."

Prof. Tamim said, "Career placement is a core responsibility of any university. At IUB, we view Career and Networking Day as a key opportunity to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. Our goal is to align education with evolving market needs, so that our graduates are equipped with the skills required by today's employers. Events like this are critical in creating that bridge."

To the students, Prof. Daniel W Lund said, "Make that connection. Don't just walk around and look – talk to people in the booths. Even if you're shy, take that step. They'll say, 'Hi, can I help you?' That's how it starts. And don't skip booths you find uninteresting – you never know where a connection might lead."

Mosfiqur Rahman Pavel said, "Students must reflect on what drives them – what they enjoy, what they're passionate about. Career paths are rarely linear. I started in computer science and found my calling in HR through exploration and experience. That's why networking and self-awareness are essential to building a meaningful professional journey."

Qazi Yamin Kabir Tushar said, "Today's job market demands versatility. It's no longer enough to be just an engineer or a coder—you have to wear multiple hats. I encourage students to visit every booth, talk to people, and learn how different organisations work. These interactions can shape their understanding and open unexpected doors."

Participating companies this year represented sectors including banking and financial services, FMCG, consulting, ICT, pharmaceuticals, NGOs, and readymade garments. Several organisations conducted walk-in interviews and skill development sessions throughout the day. 

From the banking and financial institutions, BRAC Bank PLC, City Bank PLC, bKash Limited, Bengal Commercial Bank PLC, IFIC Bank PLC, Mutual Trust Bank PLC, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, and IPDC Finance PLC set up stalls and interacted with the students. Participating companies from the FMCG sector included Square Food & Beverage Ltd, ACI PLC and M. M. Ispahani Limited. 

Other major sectors were represented among others by Chevron Bangladesh, The ACME Laboratories Ltd, Square Toiletries Limited, IFAD Group, Esquire Electronics Ltd, Associated Builders Corporation Limited, HS Enterprise (Honda Power Products Bangladesh), Summit Communications Limited, Super Star Group, Teach For Bangladesh, Fakir Apparels Ltd, Ha-Meem Group, Rahimafrooz (Bangladesh) Limited, BSRM, Apex Footwear Ltd, Augmedix Bangladesh, Genex Infosys PLC, ATN News and Panjeree Publications Ltd.

According to CGP&AR, the annual event reflects IUB's ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations. "It is a valuable platform for students to engage with top organisations, where each conversation and resume shared brings them closer to their professional goals. We thank the employers for their continued belief in the potential of IUB graduates," said Sharmeen Islam, Deputy Director and Head of CGP&AR.

ATN News, The Business Standard, and Bonik Barta were the media partners of the event. The inaugural session was moderated by Al-Zawad Islam Shadman, a student from the Department of Management Information Systems.