The Spring 2025 semester orientation programme for the 12th Batch of Master in Public Policy & Governance (MPPG) and 7th Batch of Executive Masters in Policy and Governance (EMPG) was held on 18 January at North South University (NSU). The event, organised by NSU's South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), marked a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to nurturing future policy leaders.

Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he emphasised the unique opportunity presented to the students, stating, "It is an incredible privilege for these students to study this subject at such a critical juncture in Bangladesh's development. The country is undergoing significant policy reforms, and the knowledge gained here will be invaluable in shaping its future."

The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with Norway's involvement, adding, "I am delighted that Norway could be a partner in the initial stages of this programme."

The MPPG programme stands as a beacon of excellence in South Asia, offering a thesis-based international master's degree in Public Policy and Governance. This unique programme has been instrumental in educating and providing hands-on experience to professionals, predominantly from the civil services of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Its regional impact is evident in the recognition it has received from governments and donors alike. Since its inception, the programme has produced over 170 graduates from 10 batches up to 2022, including young civil servants and professionals from various South and Southeast Asian countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

Launched in Fall 2021, the EMPG programme is SIPG's latest academic initiative. It aims to enhance the academic competence and professional skills of a diverse group of learners, including public bureaucrats, corporate executives, development professionals, embassy officials, NGO managers, private sector officials, and recent graduates from Bangladesh and abroad.

The orientation commenced with a warm welcome from Prof. Sk Tawfique M Haque, Director of SIPG, NSU. Following introductions by the new students, Dr Rizwan Khair, Associate Professor and Chair of PSS and Graduate Programme Coordinator (GPC) at SIPG, provided a comprehensive overview of the MPPG and EMPG programmes. A particularly engaging segment of the event was an open discussion where current students and alumni shared their experiences, while new entrants expressed their expectations from the programme, fostering a sense of community and continuity. Other speakers at the programme were Prof. Md Rizwanul Islam, Dean, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, NSU, and Professor Salahuddin M Aminuzzaman, Adviser, SIPG, NSU. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Akram Hossain, Assistant Professor, PSS & SIPG, NSU.