InM has inaugurated its “International Training Centre” in Cox’s Bazar on 21 January 2012 to cater the growing demand of microfinance sector at home and abroad.
The International Training Centre is aimed at becoming a central learning hub for national and international microfinance practitioners. InM would like to continue organising national and international training, seminar, and workshop at the Centre on regular basis for undertaking training and capacity building programmes of international standard.
The grand opening of the InM International Training Centre was followed by organising of a 6-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on “Microfinance Operations and Management (MOM)” consisting of 20 participants from different well-regarded MFIs in Bangladesh like DK Foundation, Integrated Development Foundation (IDF), Proshika, Padakhep, Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), Muslim Aid, NGO Forum, Prottyashi, RDF, RDRS, Coast Trust etc. The training programme was intended to develop the skills of professional trainers that would aid to the capacity building for the sector.
At the inaugural session, Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman, InM graced the event as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Rashid Faruqee, Visiting Fellow, InM chaired the session. Dr. Quazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Managing Director, PKSF; Dr. M. Amanullah (MAK) Khan, International Team Leader, PROSPER-PCU, DFID; Mr. Stephen K. Halder, Director, World Vision Bangladesh; and Mr. Selim Md. Jahangir, Superintendent of Police (SP), Cox’s Bazar, were present as the Special Guests. Among others, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Latif, Director (Research), InM and Ms. Simeen Mahmud, Lead Researcher, BRAC Development Institute (BDI) were present on the occasion.
At his welcome speech, Dr. Md. Mosleh Uddin Sadeque, Interim Executive Director, InM thanked the Chief Guest, Special Guests, the Chair, and all other participants. He said that it was dream come true to establish InM’s own Training Centre which to be developed as the “Hub of Excellence” and “Centre for Experience Sharing” in the future.
Mr. Stephen K. Halder, Director, World Vision Bangladesh, in his speech as one of the Special Guests, expressed his happiness as he found that InM has been able to establish the International Training Centre and make effective and practical use of the Centre. He hoped that it would become an enriched International Training Centre soon.
At his speech of Special Guest, Dr. M. Amanullah (MAK) Khan, International Team Leader, PROSPER-PCU, DFID, said that this event implied the credibility and capability of InM for establishing this International Training Centre. He emphasised on maintaining the standard of training programmes and urged for the best fit plan, funding and process to ensure quality training services as well as promised his full support to the Centre.
Mr. Selim Md. Jahangir, Superintendent of Police (SP), Cox’s Bazar, emphasised on continuing this success of InM and described the Institute as the future Think Tank in Bangladesh. He assured to continue his whole-hearted support when required, and hoped for the best of InM.
Dr. Quazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Managing Director, PKSF, in his speech of Special Guest, said that as a development partner, PKSF is also happy with this success of InM. He expressed that the relationship between InM and PKSF is strengthening in terms of conducting research studies which will be continued in the future. He hoped the best for the Training Centre and promised his continuous support to InM.
The Chief Guest of the inaugural ceremony, Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman, InM described InM as an internationally recognised Institute and referred to the collaboration of InM and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand and China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), China which could create the avenue to arrange international training facility at InM International Training Centre.
Professor Mahmud emphasised on the need for quality trainers for conducting international training programmes. He expressed that the trainers must be updated with the changing environment of microfinance sector and also, should be supportive and sensitive to the poor condition of beneficiaries. He also opined that microcredit is a social process, so if we want to succeed in microfinance, we must understand the economic and social life of the poor people through research studies and also must work for the capacity building of the sector.
The Chair of the event Dr. Rashid Faruqee, Visiting Fellow, InM, said that the effort must go on and should not be stopped after the inauguration and wished the success of the Centre.
At the end of the inaugural session of the event, the Chief Guest distributed crests among the guests.
The 6-day ToT on “Microfinance Operations and Management (MOM)” was facilitated by Mr. Md. Abdul Hye Mridha, Senior Deputy Director (Training & Admin, InM; Mr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Rector, Padakhep; Ms. Afshana Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Director, InM; and Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman, Assistant Director, InM. At the closing of the training, Mr. Mokbul Ahmed, Team Leader and Manager, Coast Trust distributed the certificates among the training participants.
