British Bangladeshi educational achievement and the importance of inspiring the next generation were celebrated at a special community event in Beeston.
Believe in Beeston – Celebrating Education was held at the South Leeds Bangladeshi Centre on Tunstall Road on Saturday (3 October 2026), bringing together young people, families, educators, academics, professionals and community representatives.
The event, organised by Tawfiq Wahab, Komar Uddin, Professor Moshfique and Humayun Islam of ISSE Ltd, aimed to celebrate educational achievement, recognise community role models and encourage young people in South Leeds to raise their aspirations.
The organisers were honoured to welcome Mr Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, Assistant High Commissioner for Bangladesh in Manchester, as Chief Guest.
His visit provided an opportunity to meet members of the local community and help recognise individuals for their contribution to education and community life.
A number of Certificates of Recognition were presented during the evening for contribution, achievement and commitment to education and for helping inspire the next generation to believe, achieve and succeed.
Those recognised included Mr Amal Podder, Dr HTR Mujahidy, Al Haj Giash Uddin, Alia Nessa, Samsul Gani, Nazrul Islam, Tawfiq Wahab and Komar Uddin.
Among those recognised was Mr Amal Podder, whose long career in education included 25 years as an Advanced Skills Teacher in Leeds. Mr Podder, who holds qualifications in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Quantum Mechanics, has also played a longstanding role in Bengali arts and cultural activities and is a founder member and Chairperson of Purobi Bengali Cultural Society Leeds.
Dr HTR Mujahidy was also recognised. Having arrived in the UK with his parents in the early 1970s, he pursued education in Business, Leadership and Management and completed a PhD focused on the Theory of Reflexivity. His work has included entrepreneurship, trusteeship, charitable activity and community service.
The event sought to highlight the different pathways through education and employment available to young people, while recognising the sacrifices made by earlier generations of British Bangladeshis in creating opportunities for their children and grandchildren.
Organiser Tawfiq Wahab said:
“Believe in Beeston was about celebrating those who have achieved and contributed, but equally it was about the young people who will follow them.
“We want children and young people to see positive role models from their own community and understand what is possible through education, hard work and determination.”
Komar Uddin, Chairman of Jaganathpur Group, said:
“Our parents and elders made enormous sacrifices to create opportunities for the generations that followed. We now have a responsibility to build on that legacy and ensure our young people have the confidence and encouragement to fulfil their potential.
“It was wonderful to see different generations coming together around such a positive message.”
Professor Moshfique added:
“Education is about much more than qualifications. It develops confidence, curiosity and aspiration and gives people the tools to contribute positively to society.
“We should celebrate how far our community has come while continuing to invest in the potential of the next generation.”
‘There should be no ceiling on what our young people can achieve’
Humayun Islam BEM BCAc, Director and Founder of ISSE Ltd, said:
“We were incredibly proud to see Beeston come together around education and aspiration. The British Bangladeshi community has a powerful story of sacrifice, resilience and progress, and it is important that we celebrate it.
“We want our young people to understand that their background should never limit their ambition. Whether their future is university, an apprenticeship, employment, entrepreneurship or another pathway, they should have the confidence and support to pursue their potential.
“A special thank you goes to Tawfiq Wahab, Komar Uddin and Professor Moshfique for the tremendous work they put into making the event possible, and to our Chief Guest, Mr Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, for joining us and helping recognise members of our community.”
The organisers also thanked the speakers, award recipients, volunteers, families, community representatives and young people who attended.
They hope Believe in Beeston can contribute to a wider conversation about educational aspiration and opportunity in South Leeds and encourage more young people to recognise what they are capable of achieving.
The message from the evening was simple: celebrate success, raise aspirations and inspire the next generation.
This post is based on a press release issued by ISSE Ltd
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