Diplomatic Desk:
Mr. Jihoon Kim, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Bangladesh, has underscored the importance of knowledge-sharing and institutional collaboration in ensuring the lasting impact of Korea’s development cooperation in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks at KOICA Bangladesh Alumni Night 2026, hosted by the KOICA Bangladesh Office in collaboration with the KOICA Bangladesh Alumni Association (KBAA) at Sheraton Dhaka on Thursday (08 October 2026) evening. The event brought together alumni of Korean training programmes, senior government officials, representatives of the Republic of Korea and development partners to celebrate professional learning, collaboration and the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Planning, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Kim Ji-joon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, attended as a distinguished guest. The programme was led by Mr. Jihoon Kim, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh.
Highlighting the value of the alumni network, Mr. Jihoon Kim said that Korea-Bangladesh cooperation extends beyond individual training programmes. He emphasized that the knowledge and expertise acquired by Bangladeshi participants in Korea become meaningful when applied within their respective institutions and shared with colleagues and future generations.
“Our partnership does not end with a training program,” he said. “The knowledge you bring back to your institutions is what makes our cooperation lasting.”
The State Minister congratulated KBAA on organizing the event and commended its members for applying their learning in their institutions and sharing their expertise with others. He also acknowledged the association’s contribution to strengthening the Korea-Bangladesh partnership.
Ambassador Kim Ji-joon described KOICA alumni as “living bridges” between the two nations, expressing confidence that the network would continue to grow stronger and contribute to bilateral cooperation.
The event was supported by the KBAA Executive Committee, including Mr. Md. Saifullah Panna, President of KBAA and Secretary (Attached) to the Ministry of Public Administration; Ms. Nazma Mobarek, Vice President of KBAA and Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance; and Mr. Md. Forhad Siddique, General Secretary of KBAA and Inspector General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The programme showcased how alumni have applied the knowledge and skills gained through Korean training programmes in their respective institutions. It also highlighted KBAA’s knowledge-sharing initiatives, which provide opportunities for alumni to exchange expertise with government colleagues and young professionals.
Participants also recognized the contributions of government counterparts and development partners in advancing Korea-Bangladesh cooperation across key sectors, including health, education, information and communication technology (ICT), digital governance and rural development.
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening the KBAA network, expanding knowledge-sharing opportunities and deepening professional and institutional ties between Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea.
KOICA Bangladesh Alumni Night 2026 reaffirmed the role of human resource development, professional networking and institutional cooperation in translating international training and development partnerships into sustainable outcomes for Bangladesh.
