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BUET takes the cup home

- Mainul Hassan

The first Stamford University National Debate championship ended on December 26. In all, 48 colleges and universities took part in the event which started from December 22.

The final day of the event was held at the Stamford University Shiddeswari campus on December 26. On the final day the finalists of the Bengali and English debate rounds faced each other. The final round of the Bengali debate was held between BUET and Stamford University and Stamford was beaten by BUET. The topic of the final round was “The Future is Very Promising for Bangladesh.”

After the debate the prize distribution ceremony was held. Chief guest if the event was President and Vice Chancellor of Stamford University Prof. M. A. Hannan Feroz and it was followed by dinner.

The BUET team was led by Tanim Humayun and Stamford University team was lead by Abdullah Muhammad Shukrana.

Convocation at The University of New Castle

- Mainul Hassan

The first Convocation Ceremony of The University of New Castle, Bangladesh Study Centre was held at the BIAM Auditorium on 22 December. A total of people 506 people attended the pogramme. All the students and faculty taking part in the Convocation Procession wore the convocation gowns and cap.

Professor Dr. Tony Baker, Vice-Chancellor, University of New Castle, US presided over the convocation ceremony. Dr. A.K.M. Kafiluddin, Professor Emeritus, Founder Director-NIPSOM attended the ceremony as convocation speaker. Dr. Muhammad Shamsul Huque, Chairman, UNC, Bangladesh Study Centre delivered speeches.

Dr. Muhammad Shamsul Huque, Chairman, UNC, Bangladesh Study delivered speeches commemorating the event and congratulating the graduates. He said "The University of Newcastle has been striving its best to provide quality education. Education at UNC is simply a collaborative experience and today's degree awarding status is yet another landmark in its continuing evaluation."

Professor Dr. Tony Baker, Vice-Chancellor, University of New Castle, said "University of New Castle is a learning community that seeks to serve society by providing proper education and extending the frontiers of knowledge. He congratulated the students for their grand success.

After delivery of speeches, gold medals were awarded to the best result achievers. Twenty students from different batches received their gold medals from the Vice Chancellor. The Chief Guest and the Vice Chancellor handed over certificates among the graduates.

A cultural program followed the certificate giving ceremony and later the convocation dinner was held.

1st Congress of the Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh held

- Mainul Hassan

The 1st Congress of the young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh was held at the Curzon Hall, University of Dhaka on December 26. The programme focused on the prospects of Biotechnology in Bangladesh.

Dr. S.M.A Faiz Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka was chief guest at the event. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Azad, Ex director Research, Health Science, Cape Town University, South Africa presented the key note speech. Many young scientists were present at the event.

Seminar at PUB

A seminar on "Monetary Policy in Bangladesh" was jointly organized by School of Business Administration, The People's University of Bangladesh and Union Capital Ltd. The seminar was presided over by Prof. Dr. Md. Aslam Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor (Designate), The People's University of Bangladesh and Cheif Guest was Dr. Mohammad Hafiz Ahmed, Managing Director, Union Capital Ltd, Jamshed-uz-Zaman, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank presented Keynote paper. Among others Prof. Syed Abdur Razzaque, Vice Chairman, Board of Governors, PUB, Prof. Dr. Nurur Rahman, IBA, Dhaka University, Prof. Dr. A.K. Monawa-war Uddin Ahmad, Dept. of Economics, University of Dhaka, Dr Muhammad Mahboob Ali, Chairman School of Business Administration, The People's University of Bangladesh, Rahnuma Zahir Tarafder, Asst. prof. Tahura Pervin, Lecturer, SBA PUB also spoke on this occasion.

Seminar on Democracy and Caretaker Govt. held at RU

Abu Kalam

Center for Social Studies (CSS) of Rajshahi University organised a daylong seminar on ' Democracy and Caretaker Government: Context Bangladesh' at university dean complex auditorium on Friday.

Former Kushtia Islamic University vice chancellor Professor Rafiqul Islam moderated the seminar while CSS director and former economic department chairman Professor Shah Habibur Rahman was in the chair.

Former RU Teacher Association (RUTA) general secretary and Philosophy department chairman Prof Dr Abdul Hai Talukder, Prof Dr Rakibuzzman, Prof Shobrab Uddin, Prof Dr Nurul Islam, Prof Dr Golam Hossain, Prof Ayub Ali, Prof Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, Shakilur Rahman, Akter Hossain, Iftekharul Alam, Ashraf Ali, Shahidul Islam, GM Shafiur Rahman and Salauddin addressed the opening session.

Speakers urged all political parties to work together for the greater interest of democracy. A good number of students also attended the function.
(The Daily Star RU Correspondent)

Benajir Ahmed elected chairman of NSU foundation

Mr. Benajir Ahmed, a Founder Life Member of the North South University Foundation has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the North South University Foundation at the meeting of its Board of Governors held on 24th December 2006. Mr. Ahmed expressed his expectation to make best possible efforts to enable NSU to continue as a center of excellence for higher education.

	Left: Inter college debate competition 2006, IUB & bottom left &bottom right: Cultural function at annual fresher's day at IUB

A splendid endeavour at a quiet DU by Lynching Mob

Md. Lutful Hoque Khan

ACID shudhu mukh jholshe dey naa, jholshe dey monushotto..

Keeping this slogan in mind, 'Lynching Mob' started a fund raising and awareness campaign for Acid Survivors' Foundation. The team participated in 'Project D Youth', jointly organized by Project Bangladesh, an organization dedicated in community service, and DJUICE.

The members of Lynching Mob are Rubaiyat, Monty, Sonia, Sylvia and Ariff, all students of Department of Finance, University of Dhaka. Among 773 teams they got selected for the final 20 teams where they were given a challenge to raise funds for the Acid Survivors' Foundation (ASF). To work for this noble cause, they carried out our fund raising activities at different parts of Dhaka.

Here are all of our efforts through which they tried to raise funds for ASF (Acid Survivors' Foundation) by making people aware about acid violence and to fulfill the challenge that was given to them.

They arranged a two days film festival at the Faculty of Business Studies in University of Dhaka which was held on 11 & 12 December, 2006. The festival was inaugurated by the Chairman of Department of Finance, University of Dhaka- Prof. Dr. Humayun Murshed at 10am (11-12-2006, Monday). Other teachers of the department were also present on the occasion. This festival was held at the conference room of the Faculty of Business Studies. Six Movies including Ayna- a movie dedicated to the Acid Survivors (Directed by Kabari Sarwar), as well as foreign movies were showed.

A seminar on Acid Violence was organized with the teachers of Dhaka University where they delivered valuable speeches and gave their opinions on a comment sheet. Ariff and Sylvia conducted the film festival.

Two photo exhibitions were held at the Faculty of Business Studies on 11th December and the Cafeteria of Teacher-Student Center (TSC on 12th December). On the same occasion, they arranged an 'Open Air Adda' where through some singing and discussions they spread awareness against acid violence. Monty, one of the team members, was in charge of the event.

A film festival was organized at BRAC University in association with their film club which was held on 13 & 14 December, 2006. Sonia was all through present on the occasion and conducted the events.

They have also tried to involve the media with them. Special coverage on the events held at Dhaka University was shown on the news of NTV (Shubhushonda at 6.20 p.m.) and RTV (3.00 p.m. news and Ajker Bangladesh at 6.00 p.m) on 11 December. The Daily Jai Jai Din also featured their program. Prothom Alo has also helped them by providing necessary photos, posters and drama related with the awareness programs of acid survivors. A special bulletin was featured on www.aamaderkotha.com from 9 to 18 December. The team leader Rubaiyat managed to keep in contact with the media.

A donation booth was set up at National Bank and Farzana Shakil Hair and Beauty Saloon and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall. The teachers of the Department of Finance have helped them immensely with their valuable suggestions. The friends and classmates of the team gave them all-out support throughout the event.