Duke of Edinburgh's International Award ceremony held in city

The 5th Gold Award Ceremony under The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award was held on Sunday. The ceremony was hosted by Alison Blake, British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, at her residence in the city, said a prèss release.

This year for the first time the Countess of Wessex graced the ceremony as the chief guest and handed over certificates to the heads of institution.

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is an internationally recognised award that opens an opportunity for the youths of age group 14-24 to discover their hidden abilities and to gain a special sense of satisfaction and achievement. This year's Gold Award went to 272 students of ABC International School, Bangladesh International Tutorial, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Basirannesa High School, Cantonment College, Jessore, Chittagong Grammar School-Chittagong, Independent University Bangladesh, Jahangirnagar University, Maple Leaf International School, Stride International School, The Aga Khan School Dhaka, University of Chittagong, University of Dhaka, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh- who successfully accomplished all the required activities of Gold level. Earlier on November 4, the awardees had to face a validation committee where they were evaluated to get green card for the Gold Award.

The ceremony was lively with the presence of Ms Sue Walker, the Asia Pacific Regional Director of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The DEA Foundation Bangladesh, Sayeeful Islam (Managing Director, Concord Garments Group). The members of the Executive Committee- Rizwan Bin Farouq (Chairman), Kazal Kanti Debnath, Prof Dr M Manjurul Karim and Maj (retd) Giasuddin Ahmad were also present there along with the National Director, Professor Dr K M Shariful Huda.