Feature

The event was inaugurated with a few simple words about China's struggle to establish its position in the world today by our Vice Chancellor, which was followed by a four-part presentation by Dr. Mu Yongpeng titled “Join Hands for Prosperity”. In his invigorating presentation the students and faculty members of IUB gained knowledge about China's vision of the future with independent foreign policy of peace with the goal of preserving China's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and to oppose hegemony and preserve world peace. He also proudly signified the traditional friendship that Bangladesh and China share with the suggestion of ensuring such relationship for the best of both the nations during the developing stages. The concept of “Friendliness” also represents the mascots of Olympic Games, which was presented in a video documentary about the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

H.E Mr. Wang Yu dazzled all of us with his fluent “Ami Bangladeshkey Bhalobashi” declaration, which was the result of his long lasting devotion towards Bangladesh that began 20 years ago when he was a student of Dhaka University. He was immensely encouraging with his swift speech about continuing and strengthening the relationship between China and Bangladesh that also applied for the students of IUB who are the rising stars of the future.

During the discussion session when a question was addressed by a student of Business School of IUB about suggestions towards minimizing poverty in both China and Bangladesh, Dr. Mu Yongpeng recommended changing one's mind and thoughts first in order to help any nation towards taking a giant step forward towards its development and advancement. H.E was also very cooperative in providing positive answers of questions about future affiliations between the different schools of IUB with China. The event concluded with exchange of gifts by the diplomats of Embassy of China and participant students and faculty members of IUB.

China has been recognized as the next great economic and military power by the international community and we, the students of IUB were greatly benefited in gaining closer knowledge about the People's Republic of China with this eventful interactive discussion session. Now there is a hope of more cooperative events that, in my personal opinion, would help and encourage the youth of today to contribute outstandingly in the development of Bangladesh.

(Student of Media and Communication Department, Independent University, Bangladesh)

Free as a Bird

Nuzhat T A

I opened the door to the cage. The female one with yellow-green plumage had died the previous night. This one was shockingly yellow - a colour that could only be achieved after repeated dipping in a tin of yellow paint. When it shook its feathers it was a pretty sight. The jet-black crystal clear eyes looked up at me. I tried to discern what they tried to impart. Was it at pain at having lost its partner? After all, lovebirds were meant to be a pair. Was it still in fear even after months of being tended to? Or was it just plain indifference? It took a few long minutes to realize that its pathway to the outside world was clear. It protruded its head out of the opening and then with one swift movement of its feathers it tore out of the cage. With continuous fluttering movement it exercised its wings and covered the expanse of the terrace before it was out in the sky. I watched it fly away until it was a yellow dot in the cloudless sky- free as a bird.