Staff Reporter:
The Capstone course 2025/1, an intensive three-week strategic leadership programme held from 20 April to 08 May 2025, concluded on Thursday at the National Defence College (NDC), Mirpur Cantonment.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest and distributed certificates among the capstone fellows, ISPR said a press release.
This session of the Capstone Course brought together 32 distinguished Fellows, including senior military officers, eminent academicians, prominent doctor, senior officials from government and non-government organisations, diplomats, journalists, and corporate leaders.
In his address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman extended warm congratulations to the Fellows for completing the intellectually demanding course.
He highlighted the importance of strategic leadership in navigating the contemporary challenges of nation-building, emphasising the need for dynamic, reform-minded leaders who can steer the country’s institutions toward greater efficiency and inclusivity.
Calling upon the Fellows to lead by example, he urged them to embrace their roles in shaping a prosperous and resilient Bangladesh, capable of meeting the hopes and aspirations of its people.
Reflecting on the objectives of the Capstone Course, the Chief Guest acknowledged the platform’s vital role in creating a convergence of ideas among the country’s rising thought leaders.
He praised the collaborative spirit and diversity of insights generated during the course, which he believes will leave a lasting impact on the Fellows’ professional and national contributions.
Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque, commandant of NDC, emphasised the significance of informed dialogue and consensus-building in areas of national importance.
He noted that the Fellows’ enthusiastic engagement throughout the course has strengthened the network of strategic thinkers in Bangladesh and furthered the College’s mission to develop visionary leadership.
The Capstone Course, one of the flagship programmes of the National Defence College, is designed to build strategic awareness, foster critical thinking, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, and develop a shared understanding of national security and development issues across various spheres of leadership in Bangladesh.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior military and civil officials, NDC faculty and staff, and dignitaries from the Armed Forces and other national institutions.
