In conversation with Alamin Mohammad

Mr. Alamin Mohammad is the Gold Award Winner of Duke of Edinburgh Award 2013. He is also the Vice President of Gold Award Holder's Association- GAHA Bangladesh. He is working as officer in the training department of MetLife. Shahriar Wahid interviewed him recently, below are the excerpts of the interview:
How did you get to know about "Duke of Edinburgh Award"?
 In my departmental notice board (Department of International Business, University of Dhaka), I saw an attractive poster with some photos that some students are tracking hills, some are riding by-cycle, some are teaching deprived children, some are tuning guitar. I was surprised to see the photos. I read between the lines. Then I understood that it was news about an international award.
What motivated you to participate at "Duke of Edinburgh Award"?
 It is an international award that has been introduced in 138 countries. I may get different national awards but this is an international award. It is more prestigious and a large platform for adolescents and young adults. I visited their website and was overwhelmed to see how the award holders changed their life after getting this award. This really motivated me.  
What is the special aspect of this award to you?
The criteria of this award are very special and unique. You have to serve the society, develop a skill, develop habit of physical recreation and explore for adventurous journey. By doing service one can create the mentality of voluntary service for the society. By developing a skill one can improve one's quality. By making habit of physical recreation, one can enjoy sound health. By exploring adventurous journey, one can build leadership and find a different taste of life.
Would you like to share any memory with our readers?
Yes, I can recall the sweet memories of my residential project. To achieve gold award one needs to stay five days in a residential project. My residential project was in Dutch-Salom Family for Children, Savar. It is an organisation of the deprived children. I stayed there for five days. I learned how much struggle they were undergoing. During those days, I taught them, played with them and ate what they usually eat as their meal. I tried to pass time with them as a friend. They really loved me a lot. I cannot forget their love.
Do you think this award has brought any change in your personal life?
Previously I was very introvert and could not talk in front of others. Now I have no hesitation to talk in public place. Icebreaking session of adventurous journey helped me to break my shyness. In adventurous journey we worked as a team that helped me to build leadership. By doing service, now I am more passionate to do voluntary service. I learned swimming for physical recreation.
What is the role of Gold Award Holder Association- GAHA?
GAHA is an alumni association of gold award holders. It is a platform for all gold award holders globally. For the first time GAHA committee was formed in Bangladesh in 2014. Primarily this committee works to brand Duke of Edinburgh Award and make a unity of all gold award holders in Bangladesh.
What will be your suggestion to those who want to receive this award?
In job market, you cannot get a job only with your CGPA, you need extracurricular activities. You will get more preference in case of scholarship in European countries if you have this award. To build yourself you need this award. It is a systematic guideline. This award certifies you that you are self-developed and you are different from others. So do not be late. Make your university life meaningful.

The interviewer Shahriar Wahid is a 4th Year BBA student of Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, wshahriar@gmail.com