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Science Fair at Notre Dame College

Mainul Hassan

“The 5th Annual Science Fair 2007,” of Notre Dame College (NDC) was inaugurated on March 22. Chief guest at the opening ceremony was Md. Momtazul Islam, secretary, ministry of education. The ceremony was presided over by Father Benjamin Costa, CSC.

This year's programme featured programming contest, digital poster competition, IQ test, project display, Essay competition, extempore speech and 17 general knowledge contests.

More than 750 participants from 50 schools and colleges took part in the competition. A remarkable 250 projects, each with its own and distinctive features were put on display. The fair was open to the science aficionados. The projects were divided into three categories--- physical, biological, information and communicative technology (ICT) projects. Each projects displayed the innovative qualities of the young scientists.

There were many eye-catching projects. Among them the Nuclear Technology project by NDC students is a great one. The model displayed a simple way of creating alpha, beta and gamma rays so that they can be used for cancer treatment. There was also another project, which really answers the call of time titled “E-Voting” the project featured a model of a digital voting system. There were also other projects like Air Ventilation and Humidification; Subway system in Dhaka city and Black hole as a wormhole. A creative project was “The Reason of Gravity.”

Discussion on Hamlet at NUB Khulna Campus

A discussion entitled “Necessity of Reading Hamlet in the 21st Century" was held at the Khulna Campus of Northern University Bangladesh on 13 March 2007. Ahmmed Ahsunnuzzaman, Associate Professor and Head, English Discipline, Khulna University, spoke on the occasion as the chief guest. Undergraduate students of the English Department at NUB Khulna Campus attended the programme. Among others, Professor Abdus Salam, Head, Department of English; Abdur Rouf, lecturer of English and Deputy Registrar of NUB Mossarof Hossain Masud spoke on the occasion. The programme was conducted by Md. Momin Uddin. Screening of the movie Hamlet followed the discussion.

Momin Uddin,Lecturer of English
NUB Khulna Campus

First ever website in Bangla on bird flu
www.birdflu.intakhar.info

Bird Flu virus is a kind of Influenza Virus. This Influenza viruses are members of Orthomyxovirdiae family having genus 'A', 'B' and 'C', which are based on antigenic character of nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix protein (M) antigens. Influenza 'A' is further subdivided into strains depending on surface haemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N) antigens. In human infections usually H1, H2, H3 and N1, N2 are implicated. More than 15 subtypes of H and 9 subtypes of N are recognized. Many of these affect birds, the common highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) noted as H1N1, H2N2, H3N1, H5N1, H5N2 the main lethal protein of avian influenza is hemagglutinin. In Bangladesh Dr. Manjurul Karim (Dhaka university, microbiology department) & his MS student Intakhar Ahmad continued important research on this surface protein of bird flu virus. They Found that some amino acid residues plays the vital role in infection. Stopping those particular position, it is the best possible way to destroy its functional activities. Some genetic modification by mutation can be attained, potential drugs can be remedy can be developed by the mutant virus is suggested by them. For general awareness, this Bangla website has been launched.

Conference on “Sustainability in Higher Education” at ULAB

G. Sumdany Don

A daylong conference on “Sustainability in Higher Education” was held at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) on Saturday, 24th March 2007. The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rafiqul Islam, delivered the welcome speech and emphasized the importance of sustainability in our society. Director of Academic Affairs Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed highlighted the vision of ULAB and emphasized the importance of a well-rounded liberal arts education system for the next Bangladeshi generation.

The keynote speaker Carolyn Roberts, Acting Dean of Humanities and Sciences and Director, Centre for Active Learning at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, defined the term “Sustainable Development” and discussed the importance of sustainability in higher education.

Dr. Iqbal Aminul Kabir, Director of ULAB's ISD, Prof. Stephen Martin and Maureen Martin from University of Gloucestershire in UK, Dr. Zainab F Ali from the Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Russell Goodwin, Prof. Rezaul Karim Mazumder, Director, Electronics and Telecommunication, ULAB, Prof. Saiful Haque, Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Dhaka and Naser Rahman, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, ISD, ULABalso addressed the seminar.

(MSJ, 8th semester)

Orientation Ceremony and Workshop of YES held at Chittagong

Tabassum Mokhduma

The Invincible Youth Will Surely Resist Corruption', with this slogan in view an orientation programme for volunteers of Transparency International Bangladesh's (TIB) Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC) in Chittagong was held on March 16, 2007 at the Regional Public Administration Training Centre (RPATC), Chittagong. TIB launched its Youth Engagement and Support (YES) programme last year as a part of its anti-corruption movement. As a part of this movement, TIB has already formed 36 volunteer groups all over the country with the participation of young people. These young volunteers are introduced to various activities of TIB and how they could play their role in a social movement against corruption.

Eminent freedom fighter, educationalist, writer and Convener of Chittagong CCC Begum Mushtary Shafi inaugurated the daylong programme as chief guest. Other TIB officials were also present. The participants were mostly students, working youths and members of different cultural, sports and youth organizations aged 15-30 years. Officers from TIB conducted the workshop.

(Tabassum Mokhduma, Department of Law, University of Chittagong. Volunteer, TIB. )

Book fair at Daffodil International University (DIU)

DIU hosted a 2-day long book fair recently. The fair, opened on March 24, was organised by the students of the business faculty. The event was inaugurated by a colourful rally. The chief guest of the opening ceremony was Hamidul Hossain Tariq (Bir Bikrom). The programme was presided over by Dr Aminul Islam, Vice Chancellor DIU. Pro. VC, DIU, Professor M Shajahan Mia and other faculty members were also present at the function.