A senior government official from Bangladesh, who is currently visiting the Kingdom, donated 35 computers to the Bangladesh International School, English section (BISE) in Riyadh on Saturday. Zafar Ahmed Khan, secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates, Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka handed the consignment of computers to the chairman of the board of management of the school, Mohammed Qamarul Islam, at a function held at the BISE auditorium to honor the IGCSE award winners. Bangladesh Ambassador Mohamed Shahidul Islam and prominent members of the Bangladeshi community were present at the awards ceremony. 21 students who obtained more than three stars at the last IGCSE examination were honored with gold and silver medals. Speaking on the occasion, Khan said that the largest concentration of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers, out of 8 million overseas workers, is found in the Kingdom. “The donation of computers is a token of appreciation in recognition of the services the school rendered toward promoting education among members of the community.” Khan pointed out that the school has 1,400 Bangladeshi students, of which 95 percent are members of the community. He also announced he would donate a coach for the Bangladeshi school in Dammam during his current tour. Addressing the students, the secretary highlighted the importance of learning their mother tongue in schools. “This would help them join the civil service back home,” he added. He also told them that their country expects them to become useful citizens, both within the country and in the host country where they get temporary residency. Explaining the value of education, Khan said it couldn’t be bought by money. “It is achieved through your hard work and perseverance over a period of time,” he stressed. Ambassador Islam said the Bangladeshi workers have earned a good reputation in the Kingdom. Students who would want to be future leaders should follow the path of people who have contributed a great deal toward the progress of the Kingdom and their country back home. He pointed out that Bangladesh enjoys the 41st position in the world economy among some 230 countries in the globe. He also congratulated the school staff and the members of the board of management for being responsible for producing excellent results in public examinations. “Such performance has earned a unique name and fame among the schools in the Kingdom,” he concluded. School Principal Hussein said that the Bangladeshi Finance Minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, promised to donate a set of computers to the school during his visit last year. “We will be able to update our computer rooms with these new computers,” he said, adding that his school sent 38 students for the IGCSE and 21 students had excelled in the examination.