National Young Academy of Bangladesh

Constitution

Preamble

In order to acknowledge the excellence of youth, build their capacity, provide them a voice, encourage exchange of ideas amongst them, harness their potential in serving our country and society, and in view of the expanding recognition of the paradigm of young academies around the world, the National Young Academy of Bangladesh, henceforth referred to as NYAB, is hereby formed as an independent organization to represent and cater for young researchers of Bangladesh.

Vision

To provide a platform for young researchers of Bangladesh to reach professional excellence through learning and collaboration and to inspire, promote and champion scholarly research for societal development.

Mission

  • To connect the young scholars of Bangladesh at home and abroad.
  • To nurture scientific excellence: setting competitive international standards and also providing recognition to promising young researchers.
  • To address issues relevant to early career researchers (ECR).
  • To promote collaboration and interactions across disciplines: creating forums where young scholars can meet and communicate beyond their specialisations.
  • To provide evidence-based input into relevant national policy: providing a representative opinion of young researchers.
  • To promote science education and awareness: conducting outreach and other such activities.
  • To build bridges between the young and senior scholars: providing a clearly identified set of talented young scientists for senior scientists to draw on for discussions and collaboration.
  • To connect with other stakeholders: connecting society, policy-makers, industry, employers etc. and creating channels for mutual communication and cooperation.

Proposed/Possible activities of the YA

  • Short-term objectives:

    These include

    • Organising meetings to facilitate attainment of mission objectives i.e. Primarily scientific meetings but with more of an emphasis on going beyond narrow specialisations.
    • Organising activities for the wider promotion of science among students and science awareness in the general public.
    • Developing and maintaining a national database and webpage for scientific events, funding opportunities and resources.
    • Providing guidance to the wider community of early-career researchers.
    • Coordinating with other young academies as well as GYA for facilitating international ties amongst young scientists.

  • Long-term objectives

    • Providing additional services to young scientists such as advice or facilitation of research opportunities through national and international bodies.
    • Actively engaging in drawing more women into science and also work to identify and remove barriers to their participation in scientific research.
    • Engaging more actively to provide input into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the school and college levels. Connect with programs across the world in this area as well as with other organisations in the country engaged in this.
    • Bringing out a regular newsletter on its activities.
    • Engaging in other activities consistent with its mission
      1. Membership

        1. The total members will be capped at 100.
        2. Membership will be for a period of 5 years, with an option to discontinue after 2 years making room for others if availability/commitment is lacking.
        3. The maximum age for entry would be 45 years at the time of application and membership will end by the end of five years. The basis of selection would be scientific excellence and with an eye on commitment to service as well as leadership qualities.
        4. Diversity of gender, discipline, region, institution etc. should be considered in the selection.
        5. Membership selection needs to be completed by 2 months prior to the next AGM
        6. The starting date of membership of the first batch (including ad-hoc committee members) and other batches will be AGM to AGM. If AGM cannot be held physically, it needs to be organized virtually.
        7. Each member will be invited to attend five AGMs and will become an alumnus/alumna at the beginning of the sixth AGM.
        8. Responsibilities of the members
          1. Attending meetings, preferably physically or virtually and giving opinion, suggestions and feedbacks.
          2. Acting as catalyst to achieve the goals of the organization by initiating and leading activities with the approval and within the scope of NYAB.
          3. Representing NYAB at home and abroad through proper channel, that is, with approval of the Executive Committee.
          4. Participating in the financing of NYAB activities.
          5. Any other activities assigned by the executive committee.
        9. Founding members

          1. An ad-hoc committee was formed by the Bangladesh Academy of Science (BAS) of past and present members of the Global Young Academy (GYA) from Bangladesh who agreed to work voluntarily for the formation of the NYAB and selection of its first cohort of members. Members of this committee automatically become members of the NYAB in order to carry forward and transmit the concept and spirit behind the formation of NYAB.
          2. A group of 16 further members, making 20 founding members were selected in a rigorous process run by the ad-hoc committee.
          3. Subsequent selection
            • The founding members will set up the selection process for subsequent years where 20 members will be selected each year. After first five years of the formation of NYAB, when the membership would reach 100, each subsequent year the number selection will be equal to the number of places vacated by outgoing members – who will eventually be recognized as alumni of the NYAB.
          4. General Assembly

            1. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the NYAB; the General Assembly shall be empowered, subject to the provisions of this constitution, to make decisions on all matters affecting the NYAB.
            2. The General Assembly is composed of all of the NYAB members.
            3. The General Assembly is entitled:
              1. to amend the constitution of the NYAB by 2/3 majority of the participants in a vote;
              2. to set up rules and regulations for the different bodies and officers of the NYA;
              3. to elect the Executive Committee and Office-Bearers;
              4. to terminate membership of individual members if the member seriously harms the interests of the NYAB by 2/3 majority of the participants in a vote;
              5. to take any other decision required to promote the goals of the NYAB, according to its constitution;
              6. to exercise any other rights arising from the law or the Constitution.
            4. The General Assembly shall convene at least once every calendar year, (hereinafter: The General Meeting) at a location and time set by the Executive Committee. The notice shall be sent at least two months before the meeting.
            5. Any proposal to be discussed in the General Meeting submitted by a member and forwarded in writing to the Secretary at least fifteen days before the meeting must be put on the agenda of the meeting. The Executive Committee may put on the agenda additional proposals at any time.
            6. The General Assembly may only take formal decisions if at least half of its members participate in the General Meeting, physically or virtually. Unless explicitly provided for otherwise in the constitution, the General Assembly shall decide by a majority vote, abstentions are not considered a vote.
            7. The resolutions of the General Assembly shall be recorded in minutes which shall be distributed to the members soon after the meeting.
            8. The NYAB President shall preside over the General Meetings.
            9. The Executive Committee may call for a Special General Meeting of the General Assembly and it shall do so at the request of one-thirds of the members. The minimum notice period for such a meeting shall be 15 days. The Executive Committee may decide that the Special General Meeting shall convene virtually, in any way that will assure the integrity of the voting process.
      1. Executive Committee (EC)

      1. The EC size will be 9 (4 office bearers and 5 members. The four office bearers are President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Treasurer.
      2. The EC will be elected at the AGM of the academy for 2 years. If an EC position become vacant election will be carried out.
      3. An election commission, consisting of three members/alumni not competing for the EC will be formed 3 months before the election to carry out physical or online voting.
      4. If any member knows that he is going abroad for post doc, fellowship, visiting professorship or any other purpose for 6 months or more, s/he must not stand for President, Secretary or Treasurer. If any elected office bearer comes to know that s/he will be leaving Bangladesh for more than six months or if they want to be in maternity or paternity leave, s/he can take leave for XXX. If an office bearer goes to leave one of the EC members will take responsibilities and the election will be carried out in the next AGM.
      5. The Executive Committee shall oversee developing the strategic direction of the NYAB, and shall hold overall responsibility for the programmes and activities of the NYAB.
      6. The Executive Committee may exercise full powers with regard to the management and administration of the NYAB except with regard to the powers specifically vested in the General Assembly.
      7. The Executive Committee shall, in particular, be responsible for
        1. Setting the time and venue for the meetings of the General Assembly
        2. Preparing the agenda of the meetings of the General Assembly
        3. Implementing the decisions taken by the General Assembly
        4. Securing funding for the programmes and activities of NYAB
        5. Approving programmes and activities, as well as their budgets
        6. Ensuring that actual spending is in accordance with these budgets
        7. Issuing statements in the name of NYAB
      8. The Executive Committee may set up such standing or ad hoc committees and may nominate a secretary, a treasurer and other officers as it deems necessary for the discharge of its tasks and responsibilities.
      9. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for fund-raising, managing accounts and budgets, and shall provide annual fiscal reports to the General Assembly.
      10. The Executive Committee shall decide by a majority vote, abstentions not considered a vote. In the interval between meetings a vote may be taken by email, conference call or other virtual means. In a vote by email a non-reply shall be considered an abstention.
      11. The resolutions of the Executive Committee shall be recorded in minutes and made available for the inspection by the members of NYAB.
      12. EC will join at least one virtual or face-to-face meeting in every three months.
      1. Office Bearers

        1. There will be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
        2. The office-bearers will be elected during the EC elections at the AGM. The elections will be held one-by-one in the order named above and on an individual basis (not between panels of candidates).
        3. After electing the office bearer, the members shall be elected, with each participating member of the General Assembly voting for up to five candidates as members of the Executive Committee.
        4. He five candidates receiving the highest and 5th highest number of votes shall be elected and identified as member 1 to 5.
        5. In case two or more candidates get elected receiving the same number of votes, chronology of membership will be based on seniority of membership in NYAB, if they are member of the same year, then alphabetically.
        6. The General Assembly may set up more detailed election regulations.
        7. The President shall preside over the meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
        8. The President and Secretary shall represent the NYA on a day-to-day basis, and supervise the function of the administrative staff.
        9. If an office bearer resigns before the end of his/her term or is otherwise unable to continue, the Executive Committee shall appoint one of its members as acting for the remainder of the term.
        10. The Secretary shall be responsible for all official records and internal communication.
        11. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all accounts and financial matters.
        12. The president can be chosen for an ex officio for the next executive committee.
      2. Advisory Committee

        1. An Advisory Committee will be formed with 11 members from distinguished academics / scientists, particularly those with a keen interest in young scientist issues.
        2. EC will select members of the Advisory Committee keeping diversity in mind.
        3. Tenure of Advisory Committee will be 2 years.
      3. Staff

        1. As activities expand, office staff will be appointed including a Managing Director.
        2. The office address will be the address of the President of the EC until a permanent office is allocated by the authorized body.
      4. Alumni

        1. Former members of the NYAB shall be termed Alumni.
        2. The General Assembly shall determine the roles and privileges of the Alumni.
      5. Finance

        1. The NYAB will be independent and seek independent funding by raising event/programme- based funds through sponsorships and/or special allocations.
        2. Bank accounts will be maintained by two signatories as one of whom should be the Treasurer and other one the President.
      6. Resignation, termination and dispute

        1. Resignation
          1. If any member needs to resign either from EC or NYAB, he must do it in written to the President and his membership position will be considered vacant upon acceptance by the EC.
          2. If any member became totally unavailable or inactive in the activities of NYAB (not attending any online or offline meeting or program for two years) without prior information, the EC may decide to request him/her to resign and make room for others.
        2. Termination
          1. If any member is non-responsive to a request made according to 10.1.2, the EC may decide to terminate his/her membership.
          2. If any member is punished for ethical misconduct by universities/research organization or criminal conduct by a court, s/he will be expelled from the academy.
        3. Dispute
          If there is any dispute over the interpretation of any part of the constitution, a three-member committee from within (if not part of the dispute) or outside will decide the interpretation of constitution.