Education finds its true purpose when people use their work to make others’ lives better and more prosperous, and graduates should dedicate themselves to serving the country and society, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said on Sunday.

He was addressing the 38th convocation of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in Gazipur as the chief guest.

Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin and former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) professor Md Kaykobad addressed the convocation as speakers, while IUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Mamun Bin Ibne Riaz delivered the welcome address.

Milon said Bangladesh needed human resources capable of adapting technology to the country’s realities and needs and using their innovative potential to develop solutions to various national challenges.

He stressed the need to pay special attention to people who cannot afford expensive technologies or solutions, saying sound engineering could help extend essential services to many more families.

The minister expressed hope that IUT graduates would use their knowledge, skills and intellect to contribute to the country’s development and progress.

Addressing the graduates, he said they were entering professional life at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid technological advancements were transforming the world every day.

“To meet these challenges, you must equip yourselves with the ability to use new tools and technologies,” he said.

Milon described a convocation as a significant milestone in a student’s academic journey and an occasion filled with deep personal emotions.

For graduates, he said, it marks the recognition of years of hard work; for parents, it represents the fulfilment of their sacrifices; and for teachers, it is a moment of joy as their students prepare to move on to the next stage of life.

The minister also expressed pride that IUT is located in Bangladesh, describing the university as a tangible and effective reflection of the country’s longstanding and valuable relationship with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

He said students from different countries bring diverse languages and cultures to the university, where they find a common ground for learning.

The relationships built at IUT could develop into lasting partnerships in research, industry and education, contributing to stronger cooperation among OIC member states, he said.

Milon thanked the OIC and its member states for their continued support for the university.

A total of 659 students received undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the convocation.

Seven students were awarded gold medals for outstanding academic performance. Sumaiya Ahmed Rani of the Computer Science and Engineering Department received the OIC Gold Medal, while six other students received IUT Gold Medals.

The education minister presented the medals and certificates to the award recipients.