The Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Development Leaders’ Club has concluded the seventh edition of Devthon, drawing more than 800 participants from 205 teams representing 40 universities across Bangladesh to explore development challenges and career opportunities.
Held on 7–8 October at BUP, the two-day programme brought together students, academics, development professionals, public-sector practitioners and industry representatives through four segments: the Development Case Competition, DevTalk, Development Career Expo and Short Documentary Competition, the organisers said in a press release.
Devthon 7.0 focused on connecting academic knowledge with practical responses to contemporary development problems while introducing students to career opportunities across different sectors.
The opening day’s DevTalk brought together speakers from the corporate, development and public sectors to discuss the skills needed in an increasingly competitive job market.
MGH Group Manager (Freight Forwarding) Md Mamun-Or-Roshid identified consistency, communication, data literacy, networking and adaptability as essential professional skills.
Drawing on his career experience, he encouraged students to complement academic qualifications with practical competencies and professional exposure.
Oxfam Head of Economic Inclusion and Justice Fatema Tuz Johoora said career opportunities in development extended beyond traditional non-governmental organisations.
She highlighted opportunities in government institutions, private-sector organisations, social enterprises, community-based initiatives and impact-oriented institutions.
Johoora also stressed the importance of critical thinking, communication, listening, problem-solving and adaptability in navigating the changing development sector.
Assistant Commissioner of Taxes Md Sajib Sheikh, a member of the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) taxation cadre, discussed his journey into public service, emphasising persistence, preparation, independent thinking and responsibility.
He urged students to strengthen their academic foundations, stay informed about national and international developments and develop communication and networking skills.
The Development Case Competition brought participants before a judging panel comprising World Bank Social Protection Specialist Mostafa Amir Sabbih, BRAC Senior Manager (Human Capital Development Cluster) Nawazul Kabir and Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Research Director S M Zulfiqar Ali.
The judges commended the teams’ research and field engagement, alongside their efforts to develop practical solutions to complex development challenges.
They stressed the need for clearly defined problems, evidence-based solutions, responsible use of artificial intelligence and early consideration of sustainability and scalability.
DEV POETS’ SOCIETY emerged as champion, followed by VINI VIDI VICI as first runner-up and SISIMPUR as second runner-up.
On the second day, BRAC Senior Director of Education, Skills Development and Migration Safi Rahman Khan addressed challenges surrounding youth unemployment and young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Attending as a special guest, Khan called for a reassessment of Bangladesh’s education-to-employment landscape, with greater emphasis on education quality and technical and vocational training.
He encouraged young people to look beyond conventional preferences for government employment and BCS careers and consider opportunities in the private sector, development organisations and entrepreneurship.
Khan said career decisions should reflect individual interests and aspirations rather than depend solely on family or societal expectations.
He also highlighted the importance of supportive peer networks and mental well-being in managing an increasingly competitive and uncertain labour market.
Discussing international education and employment opportunities, Khan urged students to acquire skills matching global labour-market demand and understand the cultural and social environments of destination countries.
He praised the development case studies and short documentaries presented by participants and expressed BRAC’s interest in further engagement with finalists through office visits, learning opportunities and potential internships.
BUP Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Brigadier General Md Sohrab Hossain Bhuiyan, who attended as a special guest, highlighted Devthon’s expansion from its second edition to the seventh.
He described the participation of more than 800 students across 205 teams from 40 universities as a demonstration of the platform’s role in encouraging intellectual engagement, creativity and youth-led exploration of development challenges.
Bhuiyan particularly appreciated the participants’ work on youth unemployment and NEET, encouraging future initiatives to place greater emphasis on the capabilities, strengths and potential of women outside education, employment or training.
The Short Documentary Competition explored environmental and socio-economic challenges through visual storytelling, with participants examining waste management, climate change, river erosion and migration.
Team BOAS won the competition, while Team LOW Pressure finished first runner-up and The CONFLUENT MINDS secured second runner-up.
Bhuiyan said the documentary competition allowed students to examine environmental and socio-economic realities critically.
He also highlighted the importance of DevTalk and the Development Career Expo in connecting academic learning with professional life.
The career expo provided opportunities for students to engage with professionals and explore employment pathways, complementing the competitions and discussions.
Together, the four segments connected academic learning, professional exposure, creative expression and practical problem-solving.
In his closing remarks, Bhuiyan acknowledged the contributions of the BUP Development Leaders’ Club, its executive committee, faculty members, sponsors, partners and participants in organising the seventh edition.
He emphasised collaboration, sustainability and inclusivity as important principles for Bangladesh’s development and encouraged young people to take greater ownership of the country’s future.
The organisers said Devthon 7.0 further strengthened the club’s platform for youth-led dialogue, professional preparedness and informed engagement with Bangladesh’s development priorities.
