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The law and order situation is deteriorating, and it’s affecting the fabric of our social life,” said Dr. Selim Jahan, former Director of the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He made these remarks during a thought-provoking lecture titled *“The Development Journey of Bangladesh: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities,”* held at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on Sunday.
The event, part of UAP’s prestigious Distinguished Lecture Series, was organised by the Department of Business Administration (DBA) in collaboration with the Club of Finance and Accounting (CFA). Hosted at the UAP Auditorium, the lecture drew a large audience of students, faculty members, and distinguished guests.
In his keynote speech, Dr Jahan emphasised that despite significant improvements in physical infrastructure, Bangladesh is still far from realizing its full development potential. He expressed concern over the current economic slowdown, warning that continued stagnation could undermine the progress achieved over the past decades.
“Reforms are not just long-term visions. We need urgent, situation-specific short-term reforms to provide immediate relief—especially when people’s backs are against the wall,” he said, urging policymakers to act swiftly and strategically.
Architect Mahbuba Haque, Chairperson of the UAP Board of Trustees, attended the event as Chief Guest. Professor Dr Qumrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of UAP, joined as the Special Guest. Both speakers praised Dr Jahan’s insightful analysis and stressed the importance of academic platforms in fostering dialogue on national development.
Other notable attendees included Dr. Mohammad Alauddin and Qayum Reza Chowdhury, members of the UAP Board of Trustees; Professor Dr MA Baqui Khalily, Dean of the School of Business; and Sarwar R Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Business Administration.
The program began with a welcome address by Professor Dr Nazma Begum, Convener of the Distinguished Lecture Series. She highlighted the significance of such initiatives in inspiring students and broadening academic horizons.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where students interacted directly with Dr Jahan, discussing development strategies and the role of youth in shaping Bangladesh’s future. The event left a lasting impression, reaffirming the value of informed discourse in addressing the nation’s critical challenges.
