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Feature

Experience the difference

Saifur Rahman

We call it the “Red Planet” but for others it is IUT (Islamic University of technology). I still remember the first day I stepped through the gate of IUT. My heart was beating fast, I was anxious, I didn't know what I am getting into and for me, like most of the other students, it was the first time away from home for a hall life (except for my friends from Cadet colleges).

We had to reside in our halls two days prior to the beginning of summer semester classes. When I entered my room two of my roommates were already there. I received a warm welcome from them and got to know them a little better. We gathered in the corridor and got to know people from other rooms. From then on a new life began. Our senior brothers helped a lot and they were very friendly.

Fortunately for me most of us were like-minded with some obvious differences. But there are always some exceptions. Let's not get in to that. From the time we entered our university we did most of the things together (cadet students know it very well) dining, playing, class (obviously), and many more. Don't get the wrong notion, it is not a set rule but we like to do it. It is amazing how people from varying lifestyles got so close in so little time. You can call it a family away from home.

We have spent a very long time together, around 4 years. This time allowed us to know each other very well, specially the roomies. We supported each other in our sorrows and shared our happiness together. Now that I am a graduate, when I look back at those times I miss the time we spent together, the different activities we took part in and most of all, those friends who helped me to become a better man.

Now you might be wondering what is my point and why am I mentioning all these things. Well I want to point out how joyful a dorm-life is. Those who lived in dorms know it very well but for others it's such a miss. In a country like ours with very few resources only students from public university and university like ours offer dorm facility to their students.

As I was reading “Campus” magazine published by “The Daily Star” this Sunday I came upon two features about dorm-life (TARC - My own experience by Syeda Sabita Amin and Sixty days a thousand memories by Fariha Ishrat Khandaker). I was amazed how BRAC University took the initiative to give their students such an incredible experience. Two thumbs up for BRAC University for providing this opportunity. I believe if other universities who lack dorm facility adopt such policy for their students, it will make the students a better person and give him/her a rewarding experience that he/she will cherish for the rest of his/her life. It will pave a way for their working life; teach them how to mingle with people in advance.

At the end I would like to thank the writers Syeda Sabita Amin and Fariha Ishrat Khandaker for reminding me of a blessed time that I enjoyed during my stay in IUT. Like them I wish that students from the other universities knew what it felt like. Long live IUTian brotherhood.