Prime Bank PLC, through its flagship platform PrimeAcademia, recently hosted a seminar entitled “Empowering Youth” at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), in collaboration with GAU and the GAU Career Club. The event aimed to strengthen the nexus between academic learning and practical financial knowledge, reflecting the Bank’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the country’s next generation of leaders.
According to an official press release, PrimeAcademia is a tailored platform designed for stakeholders in the education sector, facilitating meaningful engagement between academia and industry. The initiative provides students, faculty, and other stakeholders with opportunities to acquire hands-on knowledge, develop financial literacy, and enhance career readiness, leadership skills, and overall employability.
The seminar featured two keynote addresses, beginning with Shaila Abedin, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Liability at Prime Bank. She underscored the significance of financial discipline, ethical leadership, continuous self-development, and women’s empowerment. Addressing a largely youthful audience, Ms Abedin encouraged students—particularly young women—to make informed financial decisions and leverage digital financial tools to secure financial independence.
The second keynote speaker, M M Mahbub Hasan, Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Inclusion and School Banking at Prime Bank, highlighted that financial inclusion transcends merely opening bank accounts. He elaborated on how expanding opportunities, reducing inequalities, and promoting sustainable participation are central to a robust financial ecosystem. Mr Hasan also provided practical guidance on e-KYC processes, digital onboarding, and leadership preparation for young professionals in a fast-evolving financial landscape.
The programme was further enriched by the presence of Professor Mohammad Sharif Raihan, PhD, Director of Students’ Welfare, and Professor Dr Jiban Chandra Das of GAU, whose participation reinforced the collaborative link between the university and the banking sector.
Key Participants and Themes
| Name | Designation | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Shaila Abedin | SEVP & Head of Liability, Prime Bank | Financial discipline, ethical leadership, women’s empowerment, digital finance |
| M M Mahbub Hasan | SVP & Head of Financial Inclusion & School Banking, Prime Bank | Financial inclusion, digital onboarding, e-KYC, youth leadership |
| Professor Mohammad Sharif Raihan | Director of Students’ Welfare, GAU | Student engagement, academia–industry collaboration |
| Professor Dr Jiban Chandra Das | GAU | Academic leadership, partnership development |
Through initiatives such as this, Prime Bank continues to transform knowledge into actionable skills, nurturing awareness, confidence, and leadership potential among youth nationwide. PrimeAcademia remains central to the Bank’s vision of equipping students with the competencies required to thrive in a dynamic financial and professional environment.