The Center for Engineering, Research, and Revision Services (CERRS) held an inspiring virtual orientation on November 1st, 2024, via Zoom, gathering professors, researchers, professionals, mentors, and students from various institutions. This event marked the beginning of a transformative journey for students who joined as Campus Ambassadors from campuses across Bangladesh. The program aims to equip ambassadors with crucial leadership, communication, and networking skills, fostering their growth both personally and professionally.

The orientation program centered on the potential of each ambassador to make a positive impact on their campuses and within their careers. CERRS leaders and the esteemed guests shared insights on how this role would help ambassadors develop leadership skills, public speaking abilities, and a deeper understanding of career paths.

The event commenced with a welcome note from the program Host, Md. Zahid Hossain, Director (Operations) at CERRS, gave a brief introduction of the guests to the participants. Md. Mamun Ur Rashid, the Director of Marketing at CERRS Co-Hosted the program and covered a brief introduction of the CERRS advisory board, management team, and editorial team, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

Then the Program Chair, Md. Mahabub Alam Moon, the managing director and CEO at CERRS, presented an overview of CERRS’s vision, mission, core values, and objectives. He explained the origin of CERRS, the reason behind its inception, its commitment to academic excellence, and the array of services it offers, including academic, research, IT, consultancy, language revision, and beyond. Mr. Moon also highlighted how the ambassadorial role is integral to advancing these goals, offering ambassadors unique opportunities to gain firsthand experience in event management, promotion, networking, and digital engagement.

Dr. Jaker Hossain, a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at the University of Rajshahi (RU), served as the Chief Guest in the virtual event. He delivered an inspirational talk on "The Role of Engineering Innovation in Society and the Essential Support of Revision Services in Academia and Research," which greatly inspired and enlightened CERRS Campus Ambassadors as they began their journey with CERRS. Dr. Hossain also signified CERRS as the pioneer company in Bangladesh to deal with these types of services for university students, faculties, researchers, and other professionals. He offered insights on the country’s education and research challenges and the significance of CERRS initiatives in bridging these gaps.

Photo: Chief Guest Professor Dr. Jaker Hossain, University of Rajshahi, delivering an inspirational speech.

Another special guest, Ashadul Islam, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Building Engineering & Construction Management (BECM) at Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), encouraged the ambassadors through his speech on “The Pivotal Role of Campus Ambassadors in Bangladesh’s Academic and Research Ecosystem.” Islam’s insights reinforced the responsibility that ambassadors hold in bridging students and academic resources, an effort that aligns well with CERRS's objectives to provide reliable support and guidance for higher education and career development.

Md. Nur Alom Sarkar Mithun, Assistant Professor at the Department of Agricultural Extension Education at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), also contributed as a special guest, delivering a thought-provoking written speech titled “How the Campus Ambassador Role Can Help in the Personal & Professional Development of University Students.” Mithun’s remarks underscored the transformative potential of the campus ambassador program, emphasizing how the role serves as a stepping stone toward personal growth and professional networking.

Photo: Special guest Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Ph.D. candidate, University of New South Wales, Australia, sharing insights through a video message.

Adding a global perspective, special guest Md. Mahmudul Hasan, a Ph.D. candidate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and Graduate Research Assistant at UNSW Engineering, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia, shared insights through a video message. Hasan emphasized the significance of CERRS's support for students aspiring for higher education and research abroad, touching on “The Importance of Research Support Services for Students in Higher Education Abroad.” He further elaborated on the role of CERRS Overseas Team Members in guiding students on their journey toward academic and professional success.

Additional insights were provided by another esteemed guest, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at Trust University, Barishal, who articulated the benefits of the campus ambassador program. Islam highlighted the vital function that ambassadors fulfill in an academic and research setting, serving as bridges between CERRS’s services and their fellow students, and spoke on how these experiences are invaluable in building the ambassadors' future careers.

As the keynote speaker, Mr. Moon detailed throughout the session the multifaceted responsibilities of a campus ambassador, noting that their roles go beyond simple service promotion. Ambassadors are entrusted with representing CERRS with integrity, organizing and facilitating workshops, seminars, and events, building partnerships with local clubs and institutions, and actively engaging with the campus community through various channels, including social media. In his words, "This role is not just about promoting services; it’s about developing a toolkit of skills that will benefit you well beyond university." Ambassadors will receive ongoing training in critical areas, such as leadership, communication, digital marketing, and social media strategy, providing them with a comprehensive foundation for future success. His address resonated deeply with the ambassadors, who left inspired to take on their roles with dedication and a strong sense of purpose. 

CERRS also outlined several exclusive benefits for ambassadors, including sessions on higher studies opportunities, career consultation, and study abroad programs. Training sessions will also cover immigration processes, visa applications, interview skills, public speaking, and project management essentials. Through these resources, ambassadors will not only represent CERRS but also build their professional portfolios, gaining insights into critical areas like financial literacy, effective communication, and digital literacy. In addition to these professional benefits, the ambassadors have access to special events and contests, including resume writing, graphic design challenges, programming and coding hackathons, public speaking competitions, and business pitch opportunities. Each of these initiatives is designed to help ambassadors enhance their skills and prepare them for a competitive job market. They will also participate in workshops and seminars on diverse topics such as event planning, creative problem-solving, brand strategy development, and data analysis, which will empower them to take on leadership roles with confidence and expertise.

An exciting upcoming development was announced by Mr. Moon, who unveiled CERRS’s plans to launch new courses focusing on research and professional development. He also shared CERRS’s ambitious goal to expand its editorial team to 1,000 editors worldwide, representing diverse disciplines to enhance the quality and reach of its academic and research support services. This international expansion reflects CERRS's commitment to global academic excellence and support.

All the speakers underscored the Campus Ambassador's role's significance in enhancing personal and professional growth. According to them, this program empowers ambassadors with skills that enhance their academic and professional portfolios, preparing them for future success.

The program concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where the ambassadors engaged actively with CERRS leaders. Ambassadors shared their feedback, posed insightful questions, and even proposed ideas for collaboration. Md. Mukaddimul Haque (Anzir) from Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) expressed interest in joining CERRS as a graphic designer, while Md. Al Insan from the Department of Psychology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj (BSMRSTU), showed enthusiasm for contributing to psychological research and suggested a possible collaboration with his organization, the Psychological Research & Aid Management Organization (PRAMO).

The program began at 7 PM and concluded at 9:45 PM.  67 participants joined the meeting, including the guests, CERRS leaders, campus ambassadors, and a few well-wishers of CERRS. With 69 ambassadors representing institutions throughout Bangladesh, including public and private universities, colleges, and technical institutes, CERRS’s Campus Ambassador Program stands as a testament to the organization’s dedication to supporting students' academic and career goals. This orientation marked a memorable beginning for ambassadors, equipping them to contribute to CERRS’s mission while developing the skills that will drive their success.

Meet CERRS Campus Ambassadors here: https://cerrsltd.com/campus-ambassadors