Prime Bank PLC recently hosted a seminar on “Youth Empowerment” at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), organised in collaboration with the university and the GAU Career Club. Conducted under the bank’s educational initiative, PrimeAcademia, the event aimed to strengthen the connection between academic knowledge and practical financial skills, underscoring Prime Bank’s commitment to nurturing leadership, self-reliance, and professional competence among the nation’s youth.
PrimeAcademia is a specialised platform designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. It provides students, faculty, and other stakeholders with hands-on learning opportunities, enhances financial literacy, facilitates career preparation, develops leadership skills, and improves employability.
The seminar featured two keynote addresses. Shaila Abedin, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Liability at Prime Bank, emphasised the importance of financial discipline, ethical leadership, continuous self-improvement, and women’s empowerment. She encouraged young students—particularly female students—to make informed financial decisions and leverage digital financial technologies to achieve economic independence.
The second keynote speaker, M.M. Mahbub Hasan, Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Inclusion and School Banking, focused on the critical role of financial inclusion. He highlighted that true inclusion extends beyond merely opening bank accounts: it involves expanding opportunities, reducing inequalities, and ensuring sustained participation. He also discussed e-KYC, digital onboarding processes, and leadership preparation tailored for young professionals.
The event was further enriched by the presence of GAU’s Director of Student Welfare, Professor Mohammad Sharif Raihan, and Professor Dr. Jibon Chandra Das, demonstrating a strong collaboration between the academic and banking sectors.
Key Participants and Discussion Topics
| Name | Designation | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Shaila Abedin | Senior Executive Vice President & Head of Liability, Prime Bank | Financial discipline, ethical leadership, women’s empowerment, digital finance |
| M.M. Mahbub Hasan | Senior Vice President & Head of Financial Inclusion & School Banking, Prime Bank | Financial inclusion, digital onboarding, e-KYC, youth leadership |
| Professor Mohammad Sharif Raihan | Director of Student Welfare, GAU | Student engagement, academia-industry collaboration |
| Professor Dr. Jibon Chandra Das | GAU | Academic leadership, partnership development |
Through initiatives like this, Prime Bank is transforming knowledge into actionable skills, fostering awareness, confidence, and leadership qualities among the nation’s youth. PrimeAcademia serves as a central hub equipping students with the competencies needed to thrive in today’s dynamic financial and professional environment.
The seminar reinforced that collaboration between education and industry extends beyond academic theory, creating a tangible bridge to practical financial acumen and leadership capabilities. By connecting students with industry insights, Prime Bank is actively shaping a generation capable of informed decision-making, entrepreneurial thinking, and sustainable professional growth.