Rifad from Presidency University, Bangladesh Elected Vice President of Commonwealth Students’ Association

Sheikh Rifad Mahmud, a student of Presidency University, Bangladesh, has been elected as the Vice President (Democracy and Participation) of the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA). He secured the position by defeating candidates from India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. Bringing pride to Bangladesh, Rifad is currently a third-semester student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Presidency University.

The election was held on September 11–12 with participation from representatives of National Student Organizations across 56 Commonwealth nations. Voting took place for 10 key leadership positions, with each country casting one vote. Now, Rifad carries the responsibility of representing nearly 1.4 billion students from 56 Commonwealth countries. His victory is not only a personal achievement but also a remarkable milestone for the youth of Bangladesh.

On the Commonwealth youth platform yourcommonwealth.org, Rifad has been described as “a young leader from Bangladesh, social change activist, and international advocate. His journey from personal struggles to global influence reflects resilience, empathy, and goal-driven leadership.”

Rifad is currently serving as the Education Officer of CSA and as a member of the UN Youth Advisory Panel in Bangladesh. He will soon take on his new leadership responsibilities. Speaking about his vision, Rifad said, “Not all students get equal opportunities. Many face challenges, especially financial struggles, which make it difficult to continue their education. It is the duty of fellow students to stand beside them. I want to initiate a program where students can save small amounts from their pocket money or lunch money. Through collective effort, we can build a fund to support financially struggling students. No one should fall behind in education due to lack of money.”

The CSA, headquartered in London under the Commonwealth Secretariat, is the highest international body representing students of Commonwealth nations. Rifad has long been active in representing Bangladeshi youth on global platforms. He has already gained international attention, serving on the European Union Youth Panel monitoring the “EU Youth Empowerment Fund,” and previously on the Advisory Board of the Global Student Forum and as a Youth Observer at the World Food Forum.

In 2021, Rifad was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize and in the same year, he received the Global Youth Leader Award.