The Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB) and Jagannath University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in professional education, research and skills development.

The agreement, signed in Dhaka on Wednesday, seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia and the professional sector by promoting joint initiatives in training, knowledge exchange, research and capacity building.

The MoU was signed by Rafiqul Islam, senior vice president and acting president of ICSB, and Shamsun Nahar, chairman of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems (AIS) at Jagannath University.

Under the partnership, the two institutions will work together to enhance professional competencies and help align academic learning with industry requirements.

Speakers at the signing ceremony highlighted the growing need for closer collaboration between universities and professional bodies to prepare graduates for an evolving corporate environment. They said future professionals must possess not only technical expertise but also strong ethical standards and leadership skills.

Both sides expressed confidence that the agreement would open new opportunities for collaborative research, professional development programs, student engagement and the promotion of corporate governance standards in Bangladesh.

The event was attended by senior officials from both institutions, including Jagannath University Treasurer Sabina Sharmin, Business Studies Faculty Dean Md. Ali Noor, ICSB Vice President Md. Sharif Hasan and Council Member Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun.

ICSB, established under the Chartered Secretaries Act 2010, is the country's sole statutory professional body responsible for developing, regulating and promoting the chartered secretary profession in Bangladesh.

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