Source: BSS
DST News: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has encouraged the young generation to develop a deep and flexible understanding of policymaking, stressing that the success or failure of any initiative largely hinges on the soundness of its policy foundation.
Speaking at the State Guest House Jamuna during an interaction with the winners of the National Policy Competition 2025, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Professor Yunus underscored that policymaking should be viewed as an ongoing and adaptive process rather than a one-time effort.
Students from nine universities and one medical college across the country met the Chief Adviser, sharing their experiences from the competition and presenting their policy proposals.
Congratulating the winners, Professor Yunus said their success demonstrated academic excellence and intellectual rigor.
“You are sitting in the Cabinet Room — the very space where top-level policy discussions and national decisions take place. Today, you’re engaging in a simulation, but someday you may be here as actual policymakers,” he told the students.
Highlighting the importance of effective policy formulation, he said even the best-funded projects could collapse under poor policy design.
“If the policy is right, everything aligns and succeeds. But a flawed policy can destroy even the most ambitious efforts,” he warned.
Professor Yunus also emphasized that policies must evolve with time. “No policy remains effective forever. As the world changes, policies must adapt to stay relevant,” he said, urging students to adopt policymaking as both a professional pursuit and a personal life skill.
Drawing parallels between national planning and individual decision-making, he added, “Just as governments and organizations need well-thought-out policies, individuals also require personal policies to reach their goals. The key is to remain flexible and willing to change direction when circumstances shift.”
The Chief Adviser commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports for organizing the competition, calling it an important initiative that nurtures leadership and civic responsibility.
“This is not just a symbolic event — it’s a meaningful exercise. The experience you gain here will serve you well when you take real policy decisions in the future,” he noted.
Professor Yunus also praised all participants, not just the winners, for their contributions and encouraged future contestants to build on their predecessors’ experiences.
“Continue debating, questioning, and analyzing policies. As responsible citizens, it is your duty to stay vigilant and raise your voice when policies go astray,” he concluded.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi were present at the ceremony.
The National Policy Competition 2025 was held across the country, with one winning team selected from each participating institution — East West University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Chittagong University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka University, North South University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Rajshahi University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
