Since joining the Central Bank of Bangladesh in 2013, I have become interested in earning a graduate degree in economics or public policy centered on economics from abroad. This aspiration stems from my motivation to contribute to society through conducting cutting-edge economic research. I was looking for a suitable program for my academic needs and found the Asian Public Policy Program appropriate.
 What truly captivated me about the Asian Public Policy Program was its unique focus on young officials from Asian governments and central banks, equipping them with the skills to become proficient policymakers. The program's blend of core courses, a diverse range of electives, workshops, and seminars caters to professionals from various agencies, making it a versatile and comprehensive choice.
 All the core courses and some elective courses were highly quantitative, which, albeit challenging, enabled the students to hone the requisite technical skills to conduct empirical research and quantitative policy analysis. The program stands out by requiring students to write a thesis based on quantitative research, which remains under scrutiny by the academic advisor. I benefitted from this thesis requirement because I could apply econometrics concepts to real-world data. Further, while conducting this research, I realized that econometrics has wide-ranging applications in explaining economic phenomena. Overall, the program was engaging and sparked my interest in exploring further by pursuing a doctoral degree. Another aspect of the program that I found invaluable was the opportunity to build a lasting network with peers from various Asian countries.
(Bangladesh Bank 勤務)