The event brought together 90 participants, reflecting strong representation across public institutions, power and transport agencies, planning bodies, and international development partners. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, Roads and Highways Department, Power Division, Bangladesh Power Development Board, Power Grid Bangladesh, Chittagong Port Authority, and the Public‑Private Partnership Authority, among others. This diverse participation underscored the breadth of engagement across Bangladesh’s infrastructure and energy ecosystem and highlighted the continued relevance of alumni networks in convening cross-sector stakeholders.
Networking and Gala Dinner
Dhaka | May 13, 2026
SARIC convened a networking and knowledge‑sharing evening, followed by a gala dinner in Dhaka on 13 May 2026, bringing together alumni from Australia Awards South Asia and Mongolia (AASAM) and the SARIC alumni network. The event was attended by the Head of Mission and representatives from the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh, alongside a diverse group of professionals from government, development partners, and key infrastructure sectors.
The evening facilitated meaningful engagement among alumni, enabling them to reconnect and exchange insights on how knowledge and skills acquired through Australian-supported programs are being applied within their respective professional contexts. Through a structured panel discussion and individual reflections, participants shared practical experiences of leveraging technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and professional networks to support infrastructure development, energy systems, governance, and transport initiatives in Bangladesh.
The panel discussion brought together senior professionals from both AASAM and SARIC cohorts, whose reflections illustrated the sustained impact of postgraduate and short-term training programs. Their perspectives highlighted the role of capacity-building initiatives in enhancing technical proficiency, strengthening institutional leadership, and enabling more effective contributions to national development priorities. Complementing the panel, individual reflections further reinforced the practical application of these learnings in large-scale infrastructure delivery, sectoral reform, and project implementation.
The discussions throughout the evening aligned with broader strategic themes of regional cooperation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the importance of sustained investment in human capital. The event also demonstrated the value of alumni networks as a mechanism for ongoing knowledge exchange, peer learning, and professional collaboration across sectors.
Participant reflections further emphasised the value of the gathering. As noted by SARIC alum Md. Jahirul Islam, Deputy Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Division, the event fostered meaningful collaboration, strengthened professional connections, and enabled the exchange of ideas contributing to Bangladesh’s development, while providing an opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse sectors.
Participant reflections further emphasised the value of the gathering. As noted by SARIC alum Md. Jahirul Islam, Deputy Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Division, the event fostered meaningful collaboration, strengthened professional connections, and enabled the exchange of ideas contributing to Bangladesh’s development, while providing an opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse sectors.
Overall, the networking event and gala dinner highlighted SARIC’s role in fostering sustained engagement among professionals working across infrastructure and energy systems. It reinforced how targeted capacity-building efforts, when combined with active alumni networks, can contribute to stronger institutions, enhanced collaboration, and improved development outcomes in Bangladesh and the wider region.