Closing & Certificate Ceremony of UNODC-NSU CLR Trafficking Course. North South University (NSU) Center for Legal Research, a research wing of the Department of Law at North South University, successfully hosted the Closing and Certificate Distribution Ceremony for the “Certificate Course on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants”. The course was organized in collaboration and funded by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union on 13 April, 2026.
The initiative is a part of the regional project Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia, funded by the European Union. The program focuses on strengthening criminal justice responses, enhancing knowledge of international legal frameworks, and promoting human rights-based approaches to combating these crimes.
This special occasion attracted a diverse audience ranging from distinguished faculty members, students, academics, and legal enthusiasts. The seminar was graced by the presence of its Special Guests; Ms. Pinar Elman, Attachee, Decent Work & Migration, EU Delegation; Mr. Marcus Vinicius Paes, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer and Law Enforcement Expert for the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section; Ms. Tasneem Binta Karim, National Program Coordinator for UNODC South Asia; and the Session Chair, Honourable Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Nasar U. Ahmed.
Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Barrister and Chair at the Department of Law, at NSU, officially opened the program with the welcome remarks, where he expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests for gracing the occasion with their presence. Prof. Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivered his opening remarks, where he emphasized how important it is for those in academia to actively engage in the legislative process to ensure that laws are well-informed and impactful. He also highlighted the important certificate courses offered by the Department of Law and contributed to the dissemination of knowledge to a wider audience.
Ms. Pinar Elman encouraged young people to take the responsibility of addressing the challenges associated with irregular migration and human trafficking in the global landscape. She addressed, “Trafficking of humans beings and migrant smuggling are serious violations of human rights, often affecting women and children. To address these challenges, the EU emphasises prevention through education and justice response.”
Mr. Marcus Vinicius Paes motivated the younger generation to work for larger-than-life goals that would lead to the amplification of one’s life. Ms. Tasneem Binta Karim elaborated on the ongoing initiatives of UNODC South Asia in combating organized crime and enhancing regional cooperation.
Following this, the Certificate Handover Ceremony was held to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the participants in mastering the complexities of human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. Prof. Nasar U. Ahmed mentioned the investment of UNODC and the EU in resolving such issues, while also pointing out the event’s success in offering a dynamic Certificate Course. Moreover, he expressed gratitude to the speaker and guests for their valuable contributions. Finally, there was a Crest Handover Ceremony that presented the guest speakers with a token of appreciation. The program then concluded with a group photograph featuring all attendees, commemorating the memorable occasion.