I am uploading my blog this week from Dhaka, where I am spending the weekend helping the UWC Bangladesh National Committee with their selection meetings.  They invited me to attend their final selection interviews, which were specifically scheduled for this weekend so that they would not conflict with my busy schedule at LPCUWC as far as possible.

The background to my visit is a little complex.  At the UWC Asia-Pacific Regional National Committees meeting held in Hanoi during July last year, there was a wide-ranging and frank discussion on selection procedures.  Our selection process in Hong Kong emerged as a model of best practice in the region.  It was suggested that when Bangladesh was conducting its selections this year, I should attend and observe them.

It is fairly common practice for Heads of UWCs to help National Committees in this way, although this is the first time that I have been called upon to help a committee (apart from Hong Kong, of course) with selection. 

Having spent all day yesterday in selection interviews, I can say that it was a tiring but immensely worthwhile experience.  The applicants selected for interviews were absolutely sensational, and it is always good for members of different selection committees to exchange notes on policies, procedures and standards.

I am very grateful to Mr Kamal Islam, member of the Bangladesh National Committee, for the excellent organisation of my visit and the great care that has been taken of me in Dhaka.  As well as organising my accommodation in the very relaxing Gulshan Club, he insisted on showing me the sights of Dhaka on the afternoon of

my arrival last Friday.  With typical humility, though also a high degree of inaccuracy, he insisted that there was only one sight in Dhaka, and he consequently escorted me through the Lalbagh Fort Museum.  Wonderful as it undoubtedly was, I was even more captivated by the streets of old Dhaka that we traversed on our way to the fort, especially the brightly painted rickshaws, each one of which is a work of art in itself.

There is no doubt that despite the all-too-short duration of my visit, Bangladesh has won a special place in my heart, and I sincerely hope that one day I can return and see it properly in considerably more relaxed circumstances than this whirlwind working visit to attend selection interviews has allowed.