Cambridge, 25 May 2022:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was concluded between the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Bangladesh and the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) on 25 May 2022 at the Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge with a view to further developing and strengthening capacities of public administration in Bangladesh. The document was signed by Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Professor Douglas W. Elmendorf from the Ash Center of Harvard Kennedy School. The programme was attended, among others, by Mr. Abdur Rouf Talukder, Senior Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance;  Mr. K M Ali Azam, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam, Consul General, Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York; Dr. Shamima Nasrin, Director, GIU and Mr. Arifuzzaman, Deputy Director, GIU.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Kaikaus highlighted the spectacular socio-economic transformations that Bangladesh is witnessing in its development landscape under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with special reference to the government's efforts and commitments in realizing SDG 2030 and Vision 2041, turning Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous nation by that time. He hoped that the collaboration with the Ash Center would play a significant role in creating efficient human resources in the Public Service domain of Bangladesh, a critically important parameter in shaping the country into 'Shonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Dr. Kaikaus emphasized the need for intensifying collaborative involvements between Bangladesh and USA,  given the fact that these two countries are now celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. He also hoped that the engagements between the Government of Bangladesh and Harvard Kennedy School would be further broadened and deepened in the time to come, especially in the fields of education, research and innovation.

Terming this a privilege for the Center to be partnering with the development trajectory of Bangladesh, Professor Douglas W. Elmendorf voiced his resolve to work closely with the Government of Bangladesh in implementing the MoU. He was deeply appreciative of the  phenomenal socio-economic achievements Bangladesh has scripted in the recent past and commended Bangladesh's proactive and pragmatic policies and strategies as well as visionary leadership for this impressive success.

With signing of this particular MoU, a new chapter of collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh and Harvard University has been opened in the area of human resource development, with special emphasis on curriculum design and review of public administration; teaching and training of policy makers as well as exploring joint research opportunities.This is one of the many successful initiatives taken by the Government of Bangladesh in bringing more efficiency and dynamism to its public services by upgrading the skill and ability of its employees.