The Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), successfully organized a seminar titled “Understanding the Current National Budget and Its Economic Impact” as part of the Dr. Anwarul Abedin Lecture Series on Sunday, 19th July 2026 at the Multipurpose Hall, Annex 7, AIUB. The lecture series aims to provide students with meaningful opportunities to engage with distinguished experts and practitioners, fostering critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a deeper understanding of contemporary economic and policy issues.

The seminar was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor, AIUB; Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, AIUB; Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, FASS; and Dr. Faria Sultana, Associate Dean, FASS, and Head, Department of Economics. The event was further enriched by the presence of esteemed faculty members from the Department of Economics and other departments of FASS, as well as students from Economics and other academic programs, whose enthusiastic participation contributed to the academic vibrancy and success of the seminar.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), served as the distinguished resource person. With her extensive expertise in economic policy, development, and public finance, Dr. Khatun delivered an insightful and comprehensive session on Bangladesh’s current national budget and its economic implications. She highlighted key aspects of the budget, including revenue mobilization, public expenditure, inflation, investment, employment, and economic growth, while discussing the broader challenges and opportunities associated with achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Her analysis enabled students to appreciate the significance of national budgetary decisions and their far-reaching implications for the economy and society.

The session was moderated by Dr. Faria Sultana, Associate Dean, FASS, and Head, Department of Economics. In her opening remarks, Dr. Sultana underscored the importance of developing a sound understanding of the national budget and its relevance to the country’s economic well-being. She encouraged students to look beyond conventional classroom learning and remain engaged with contemporary economic developments and public policy discussions. She emphasized that interactions with distinguished economists and policy experts provide valuable opportunities to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical realities and enrich students’ academic and professional perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, FASS, highlighted the significance of connecting academic knowledge with real-world economic developments. He encouraged students to take full advantage of such academic engagements and develop a broader understanding of the economic issues shaping Bangladesh and the global community.

Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, AIUB, emphasized the importance of learning from experts working closely with industry, policy, and economic affairs. He noted that such engagements contribute significantly to curriculum enrichment, enabling students to relate academic concepts to contemporary economic practices and challenges. He further encouraged students to remain curious, informed, and proactive in seeking knowledge beyond the classroom.

Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor, AIUB, encouraged students to develop a broader outlook and remain attentive to major national and global economic developments. He emphasized the importance of complementing academic learning with practical insights and engaging with experts to develop informed perspectives on issues that influence society and the country’s future.

The interactive question-and-answer session provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with Dr. Khatun, seek clarification on various aspects of the national budget, and discuss its potential economic and social implications. The exchange facilitated meaningful dialogue between the speaker and participants, allowing students to connect theoretical concepts with current economic realities and gain a more nuanced understanding of Bangladesh’s economic landscape.

The seminar concluded with Dr. Faria Sultana, delivering the vote of thanks, expressing her sincere appreciation to Dr. Fahmida Khatun for sharing her valuable expertise, and to the university leadership, faculty members, and students for their presence and active participation. The event concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation, marking the successful completion of an engaging and intellectually enriching session under the Dr. Anwarul Abedin Lecture Series.