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News Room

BRAC Development Institute hosts Roundtable on Climate Change

To address the impacts of climate change phenomenon on the livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh, BRAC Development Institute (BDI) engaged in a dialogue with politicians, policymakers, civil society members and technical experts on 4 November 2008 at Spectra Convention Centre. The half day long workshop focused on the report of Government of Bangladesh on Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2008 (BCSSAP).

Raja Devashish Roy, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor, was present as the Chief Guest. The Honourable Advisor encouraged civil society initiatives on research, advocacy and policy support on climate change. Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury moderated a dynamic and insightful conversation on climate change impacts, adaptations, and mitigation strategies. Syed M.Hashemi, Director of BDI, assisted the Vice Chancellor.

The conversation is one of the first activities for BDI's ongoing research on poverty and climate change. BRAC Architecture Department, Brooks World Poverty Institute at University of Manchester and BDI will jointly host an international conference on climate change and urban poverty in January 2009 at the BRAC Centre.

UIU Intra-University Business Case Competition

Saquifa B. Seraj

November the 30th was a day eagerly anticipated by the members of the United International University Entrepreneurship Forum (UIUEF). This day will mark the first time since its inception that they are going to organize a competition.

Dean, School of Business, Prof. Dr. Habibur Rahman, inaugurated the competition. In the first round the teams were escorted to two separate computer labs by the volunteers, there the groups were allocated one hour to solve four different cases taken from the Harvard Business Review. After one-hour of rigorous brainstorming and simultaneous slide making, the groups dauntlessly presented their logical solutions with appropriate business models. The presentations took place in separate rooms for each group, with judges from acclaimed organizations like Unilever, Standard Chartered Bank, and Grameenphone. The second round was after lunch. Only four best teams chosen from the four groups qualified to the second and final round. The case they were handed was once again from the Harvard Business Review. Soon the participants became submerged in their work - as the clock ticked by.

The honourable Vice-Chancellor, Dean School of Business, advisor to the forum, judges from IBA and Grameenphone, accompanied by a large host of students listened intently as the teams presented the case. After a seemingly long wait, team D2 was declared as the champion. Although this has been the first business case competition organized by UIUEF, the members regularly participate in similar competitions organized by various public and private universities.

Star Campus Drishty School of Debate Starts from January 9th, 2009

Drishty Chittagong is proud to announce jointly with Star Campus that the classes for 'Star Campus Drishty School of Debate' are about to commence from January 9th, 2008. This is an exclusive batch for English medium students from classes 7 to A Level only. Renowned debaters from both Dhaka and Chittagong are going to be in the trainers' panel. Late registrations are being accepted. Please contact at the below-mentioned address before classes start.

2nd Floor, Lushai Bhaban, Cheragi Pahar, Jamalkhan, Chittagong.
01819 173472 (Bakul), 01819 821757 (Saif), 01732 509464 (Masud).

Seminar on Law held at SEU

The Department of Law & Justice of the Southeast University arranged a discussion program on 'The Challenges of a Lawyer' on 23 December 2008 at the Seminar Hall. Eminent Lawyer Barrister Rafique-Ul Haq, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh was the chief guest and the Vice Chancellor Dr. M. Shamser Ali presided over the program. Prof. Abu Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SEU was the special guest. Prof. Dr. Syed Masud Husain, Dean of School of Business Studies, Prof. Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. R. I. Sharif, Dean of School of Science and Engineering, Md. Asaduzzaman, Chairman, Department of Law and Justice and other faculty members were present at the event. Zafrin Andaleeb, Lecturer of the Department of Law and Justice, conducted the program.

IMCH undergoes Massive Upgradation

Encouraged by the landmark achievements in health service for the last eight years since 2000, the authority of International Medical College & Hospital (IMCH) is making efforts to upgrade the institution into a complete health care and dental institute. Major General (retd.) Md Abdur Rab PSC, Managing Director, Medicare - the mother organization of IMCH; Brigadier General (retd.) Khandoker Kamaluzzaman NDC & PSC, Executive Director; M A Mubin Khan, Deputy Managing Director; and Mr. Ranojit Kumar Shaha, Principal IMCH and Nasreen Rab, Director spoke at a press conference held on 18 December 2008 at Lecture Hall-1 of IMCH. IMCH, for the first time in the country, has launched a private BSC nursing unit under Bloomsburg University USA with a capacity of 20 seats. The initiative has a budget of 10 million BDT.

New Public Policy & Governance Program at NSU

Master in Public Policy and Governance (MPPG) program was launched in September 2008 at North South University (NSU), in collaboration with Bergen University, Norway and Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and the Norwegian Government. NOMA, Norwegian aid agency, has sanctioned $853,000 (Tk. 6 crore) for four years. NSU will receive $621,000 and Tribhuvan and Bergen the rest. There is a monthly Tk. 20 thousand stipend each and free tuition for 22 students in every batch at NSU. The 4-year funding may be extended by another 4 years. The program is not training oriented, but research based, and is meant for administrators in civil service, academic institutions and private sector. The 2-year, 4-semester program includes 10 courses and a thesis totalling 36 credit hours.

In the MPPG program, students acquire policy-making skills and identify the barriers to good governance through analysis and research. There are specific courses on issues of corruption and accountability, works of international and local agencies, role of civil society, and meaning and beneficiaries of globalization. The rigorous 18-month course work and six months of research/thesis are meant to make the students enlightened administrators and better human beings.

1st Convocation of Eastern University

Irene Siddique

The soldiers were disposed of their weapons fully loaded. 'I am the Convocation Marshal' these grave words echoed each silent wall. The expressions vivified the anxious wait for the only commandment, which would free the confident souls to confront the world outside. The Presiding Officer declared all the students 'Graduates'. A big round of applause and camera flashes enveloped the whole convocation hall. The whole event began to give the essence of festival. This was the most significant day of their life. This was their degreeday or according to us, the juniors, 'the kick-off day' like the American school years. After this formal part they were all free from the time bound of University. Somebody exploded with joy, some moved to click pictures, some threw their hats into the air, some gave a second glance of the most awaited certificate, some were busy taking blessings from the faculty or parents and others were enjoying the lunch sitting on the floor of the corridor. The Dean of Faculty of Arts was also sitting on the floor with his beloved students! He was sharing the last moments of their university days and was giving them a warm farewell, as if he did not want their departure.

This was the formal part of the First Convocation of Eastern University held on 25th June 2008 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. It was a day that began earlier than usual. The very word convocation, which in Latin meant 'calling together', was thus a success. All dressed formally entered the premises in a jovial mood. The circumstances were slightly sombre because of the news of the illness of the honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Chancellor. The thought of his absence was also discouraging. But later it became the matter of both privilege and honour that the honourable Advisor to the ministry of Mass Education and Women's Welfare Rasheda K. Chowdhury attended the event as the Presiding Officer. After the warm reception ceremony the candidates with their respective departments in queues carried a dignified procession to the hall. With the candidates and the faculty members in their black robes, the hall manifested elegance. But the most delightful sight was of the members of higher ranks and of the chief guests in brilliant red gowns and consequently they were regarded as the ancient dukes for the day by the Department of English.

After taking the position on stage, the Presiding Officer, the Emeritus Professor of University of Dhaka, Dr. Serajul Islam Chowdhury as the Convocation Speaker, the EUF Chairman Mr. Abul Quasem Haider, Vice Chancellor of Eastern University Mr. Rahim B. Talukdar, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Abdur Rab gave their valuable speeches. Their remarks focused on the fact that private universities have achieved a standard of excellence and expressed their expectations of a similar future. They also focused on the fact that education related to practical life, extra-curricular activities should not be supplementary but an inseparable part of education to enhance perfection, ability and proficiency. Although it was Eastern University's first convocation ceremony, it achieved momentous praises from the guests. The ceremony ended with a grand dinner and a cultural ceremony.

The Graduation and Convocation were the fitting bookends to every successful student's university career. It was the day when they vowed to transform the world into an epitome of prosperity. They became ready to serve the nation. The day was a new beginning of their life filled with responsibilities and challenges. They became ready to take on the world as the emissaries of Eastern University.

NSU Organizes International Conference

North South University (NSU) organized a two-day International Conference on 'Recent Development in Statistical Sciences' on 26 and 27 December 2008. Renowned international and national Professors, researchers and dignitaries attended the conference. The opening ceremony of the conference was held on 26 December at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC). Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor, Bangladesh Bank was present at the event as chief guest. Vice Chancellor of NSU Dr. Hafiz G. A. Siddiqi chaired the session. The closing ceremony was held on 27 December at Hotel Sarina. Professor Nazrul Islam, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh was present at the event as chief guest. Dr. Shahjahan Khan, Professor, University of Southern Queensland, Australia, Dr. AK Md. Ehsanes Saleh, Professor, Carleton University, Canada, Dr. M. Shamser Ali, President, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, NSU Foundation Chairman Mr. M. A. Awal and CPDS and BBA Director of NSU Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and other discussants were present at the program.