Monno Presents TEDxUttara, a TED-licensed international event, was held for the first time in Uttara, a northern suburb of Dhaka, on Saturday, 13 December 2025.

The event took place at the campus of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and drew nearly 700 participants, marking a milestone in Uttara’s cultural and intellectual landscape.

TEDxUttara was licensed and led by Sumaiya Kabir, with Emrul Ahsan serving as lead organiser. The initiative aimed to connect Uttara with global conversations on innovation, creativity and social change.

Centred on the theme “Power of possibility”, the event featured speakers from Bangladesh and abroad who shared experiences from their personal and professional journeys.

Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Bibi Russell spoke on Bangladesh’s heritage, folk craftsmanship and fashion industry, highlighting her philosophy of “Fashion for development”. Filmmaker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury reflected on overcoming fear and crisis, stressing the importance of embracing possibility in life.

Australian-based Bangladeshi chef Kishwar Chowdhury discussed her efforts to introduce Bengali cuisine to a global audience. Asif Iqbal, vocalist of the band Kaaktaal, shared reflections on resilience and willpower drawn from his experience of imprisonment.

Other speakers included Dr Scott Leckman, Dr Mohammad Kaykobad, Morshed Mishu, Manzur-Al-Matin, Badal Syed, Amitava Mitra, Dr Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui and child rights activist Faatiha Aayat, who spoke on various dimensions of innovation, leadership and social impact.

Speaking about the event, Sumaiya Kabir, licensee and organiser of TEDxUttara 2025, said, “The response from the audience exceeded our expectations. The diversity of speakers and the depth of their stories helped make the event impactful, and we look forward to organising more TEDx events in the future.”

Organisers said the event marked an important step in linking Uttara with international thought leadership and creative discourse.

TEDx is a programme of independently organised events licensed by TED, a US-based non-profit media organisation known for its global conferences and talks. Since 2009, TEDx events have been held worldwide to make TED Talks more accessible and encourage the sharing of ideas that drive social change.