IUB valedictorian Sajid on self-belief and success

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held its 26th Convocation on January 21, 2026, where a total of 2,496 students received degrees from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Sajid Bin Mohammad, a Marketing graduate and a recipient of the Chancellor’s Gold Medal, was selected as the valedictorian.

For Sajid Bin Mohammad, winning the Chancellor’s Gold Medal and being selected as the valedictorian represent far more than academic excellence. It stands as a personal affirmation in the face of doubt.

“It is, unfortunately, a glaring reality today that we are surrounded by people who have doubts in us and our abilities,” says Sajid. “The gold medals, therefore, are not just a recognition of academic achievements, but also offer an added validation against all those who doubt our capabilities.”

The award strengthened Sajid’s confidence as he prepares for the next phase of his career. Sajid also credits much of his success to careful academic planning and a clear vision for his future. Interestingly, his decision to study Marketing was inspired by the depiction of the marketing world in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. While he admits the portrayal was “not entirely realistic”, it helped shape his long-term goals.

He also acknowledged the role of his teachers in shaping his intellectual growth, especially Sheikh Mohammad Fauzul Azim from the Marketing department and Refat Ara Jerin from the Media and Communication department. According to Sajid, their encouragement pushed him to pursue excellence beyond the traditional ways of thinking.

Offering advice to current undergraduates, Sajid emphasised balance and perspective. 

“I think the undergraduate experience is an opportunity to live through some of the best years of our lives, with some of the best people,” continues Sajid. “It is also an opportunity to learn things that would stick with us for just as long, too, if not longer.”

While acknowledging that grades matter, he urged students not to define themselves by setbacks.

“No matter what life-altering calamity it is that you may be going through, the sun will come up the next day, and you’ll have another opportunity to do things afresh,” he says.

Quoting poet S C Lourie, Sajid concluded with a message of hope: “Breathe, darling. This is just a chapter. It’s not your whole story.”