Asian Student Leadership Conference 2023, Singapore
On July 13, 2023, Atia Fiaroz embarked on a journey that crossed borders and cultures. As she shared, “I am currently a student of the Business department and continuing my 3rd semester.” The purpose of her trip was to attend a youth conference focused on volunteerism and leadership, with a special emphasis on raising awareness for babies born with cleft lips. The event was organized by Smile Asia, a Singapore-registered charity that follows local regulations and aims to promote volunteerism among Singapore residents while creating opportunities for international engagement.
Student ambassadors from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, India, Laos, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore participated in the conference. From Bangladesh, Atia and Wasif Chowdhury (from another private university) were selected to represent the country. Their entire trip was fully sponsored, and after a month of preparation, they proudly represented Bangladesh on an international platform. Atia reflected on how each participant was unique and talented in their own way, and she felt deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with such inspiring individuals.
The organizers welcomed the participants to Singapore two days before the main conference, giving them time to explore the city independently. Once the conference began, students were placed into diverse groups with peers from different nationalities. Through a series of workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities, Atia gained a deeper understanding of global volunteer efforts and learned valuable leadership skills to inspire positive change.
She hopes to bring back these lessons and apply them for the betterment and success of North South University. The experience not only broadened her perspective but also strengthened her commitment to making a meaningful impact.
