Bangladesh’s leading corporate trainer and inspirational speaker, Ghulam Sumdany Don, has proudly represented the country at the prestigious stars Singapore Symposium 2025, titled “For Leaders of the Next Generation.” This high-impact international event brought together 80 emerging leaders from 80 nations for four days of intensive learning, collaboration, and discussion in Singapore.
The symposium, organized by the stars Foundation, focused on the global forces shaping the future, including Disruptive Technology, Geopolitics, Sustainability, and Leadership in a changing world. It served as a platform where top minds from business, academia, and policy met to prepare the next generation of leaders to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
A Global Stage for Rising Leaders
Held in Singapore, the symposium featured keynote sessions, strategy workshops, interactive dialogues, and exclusive site visits, including a guided tour of the Singapore Port, hosted by PSA International.
Participants had the extraordinary opportunity to meet and learn from world-class speakers, including GAN Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore; Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO of Temasek Holdings, overseeing a US$300 billion portfolio; LIM Siong Guan, Former Head of the Singapore Civil Service and a foundational architect of modern Singapore; Marcus Lam, Executive Chairman, PwC Singapore; WONG Su-Yen, Chair of James Cook University, Singapore; Glen Francis, Strategic Advisor, Google Singapore; Michelle Khoo, Leader of Deloitte’s Center for the Edge, Southeast Asia; and Kevyn Yong, Chief Learning Officer, Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI).
Day 1 of the symposium opened with a powerful session by Hannes Schmid, the legendary Swiss photographer and founder of Smiling Gecko Cambodia. Over the following days, participants engaged in deep discussions on leadership models, innovation in governance, and human-centric development.
A Proud Moment for Bangladesh
On behalf of Bangladesh, Ghulam Sumdany Don shared space with global changemakers, presenting the voice of a rising generation of South Asian leadership. His presence reflected Bangladesh’s growing participation in global conversations around innovation, governance, and future-focused leadership.
Reflecting on the experience, Don said, “I tried my best to put Bangladesh among all these global stars. This experience has been truly life-changing. And celebrating my 40th birthday here, with leaders from all over the world, it’s the best gift I could have ever received.”
He further shared a quote that deeply resonated with him from Temasek CEO Dilhan Pillay:
“Knowledge is good, know-how is better, know-who is the best.”
Other key takeaways from the symposium included:
“Leadership is making good things happen that otherwise wouldn’t have happened.”
“The helicopter theory – hover high to see the full picture, descend low to engage when needed.”
Celebrating Leadership, Friendship, and the Future
The symposium concluded with a networking event at the iconic Swiss Club Singapore, capping off days of insightful exchange and lasting international friendships.
Don described the most cherished part of the experience as, “Meeting new friends from every corner of the world. This connection, this human exchange, is what truly matters.”