Dr Md Sabur Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University (DIU), participated as a panelist at CETYS University’s 65th Anniversary Celebration in Mexico, discussing the role of university leadership in improving student success.
The session, titled “The Commitment of University Presidents to Student Success: IAUP Experiences”, was held on 21 September 2026 at the Auditorio Paccar of CETYS University’s Mexicali Campus, bringing together higher education leaders from different regions to discuss institutional leadership, student success and the changing responsibilities of university presidents.
The panel included Tomás D. Morales, President-Elect of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and President Emeritus of California State University, San Bernardino; Kakha Shengelia, Rector of Caucasus University, Georgia; and Alejandro Cruzata, Rector of Universidad Señor de Sipán, Peru. The session was moderated by Deborah Lieberman, President Emerita of the University of La Verne and of IAUP.
DIU said in a press release that Khan’s participation reflected international recognition of Bangladesh’s higher education leadership and the university’s focus on student success, entrepreneurship, innovation and global engagement.
During the discussion, Khan said student success should extend beyond earning an academic degree, highlighting the importance of developing practical skills, confidence, an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to create opportunities for students and others.
He also stressed the need for universities to create environments where students can transform academic knowledge into meaningful real-world impact.
A key message from his contribution was that universities need to move “Beyond Degrees” by preparing graduates not only for employment but also for leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity creation.
Khan also linked student success with the wider agenda of internationalisation in higher education, saying global engagement should go beyond formal agreements and institutional partnerships.
He emphasised that international collaboration should lead to joint projects, entrepreneurship initiatives, knowledge exchange, student opportunities and measurable outcomes by turning academic connections into meaningful benefits for students and communities.
His participation at CETYS University’s 65th Anniversary Celebration further reflects DIU’s commitment to international collaboration, student-centred education, entrepreneurship, innovation and globally connected higher education, according to the press release.
