News Room

UIU partners in eLINK

The eLINK (east-west Link for Innovation, Networking and Knowledge exchange) is an EU project that aims to promote the EU higher education system in Asian countries and improve education, teaching and research activities in ICT, Engineering, Technology, Business and Management in participating institutions. Five EU institutions and six of their Asian Partner Universities have joined this programe to enhance communication, collaboration, cultural awareness and understanding of current and future needs of the Higher Educational Institutes. eLINK will mainly involve the mobility of students, researchers and academics between participating institutes for education, research and knowledge transfer.

United International University is the only Bangladeshi partner in the project. The coordinator for the eLINK project in Bangladesh is Professor Dr. Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, United International University. On the commencing programme UIU arranged a seminar on "Digital Bangladesh." The chief guest was the Minister of Commerce Lt. Col. Faruk Khan and the keynote speaker was Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University. Professors from other participating institutions also joined this programme.

Language Learning at Presidency University

A day-long workshop on “Using internet tools for e-learning and teaching” was held at the computer lab of Presidency University on 4 May 2009. Bangladesh Language Teachers Association (BELTA) and the English Department of Presidency University organized the workshop. 23 English language teachers from different schools, colleges and universities attended the workshop. The facilitator was George Chinnery, currently a US Embassy Senior English Language Fellow at the Commissionerate, College Education, Jaipur, India who has lived and worked as a TESOL instructor and teacher trainer in the United States, Europe and Asia. The interactive presentations on technology and language learning focused on a wide variety of productive tools that are used today for teaching and learning English on the internet. Among the participants in the workshop were Dr. Arifa Rahman of Institute of Modern Language (DU), Dr. Rubina Khan of Dhaka University, Prof. Harunur Rashid of East West University and Prof. Shibli Khan of Presidency University.

Seminar at Jahargirnagar University

A seminar on “The thoughts of Jahir Raihan on the Society and State” was held recently at the seminar room of the central Auditorum of Jahangirnagr University. Chief Guest of the event Vice Chancellor Dr. Shariff Enamul Kabir reminded the audience of the contributions of Jahir Raihan in literature and film. He said the writings of this great scholar inspired the people to protest the prevailing forms of socio- economic discrimination. Dr. Aminul Islam also spoke at the seminar. Sayed Hasan Imam, a film personality, Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Hossen, the director of the film Archive, Dr. Sajedul Islam, a faculty of Stamford university, Khohinur Akter Suchanda, wife of late Jahir Raihan also talked at the seminar. Dr. Afsar Ahmed, a drama- persona of the country chaired the seminar.

Freshers' Reception and Certificate Awarding Ceremony at BAU

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) held a Certificate Awarding Ceremony for the fourth batch Internship students and a Freshers Reception for the newly admitted students of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Auditorium on April 18. The function was presided over by the Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Science Professor Md. Motahar Hussain Mondal. BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M.A. Sattar Mandal was the chief guest while Vice-Chancellor of the Sylhet Agricultural University Professor Md. Abdul Awal was the special guest. Professor Md. Shahidur Rahman Khan delivered the welcome address. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Alam, Md. Matiur Rahman, Md. Samiul Bashir and Khan Md Asfia also spoke on the occasion. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mandal urged the teachers and researchers of the University to intensify research and development on agriculture and technology geared towards providing solutions to poverty. Deans of the different faculties, teachers, students, researchers and media men were present at the function.

Christian-Muslim Dialogue at DU

A daylong conference entitled “Imams and Pastors Dialogue on Unity in Diversity” was jointly organized by the Department of World Religions, University of Dhaka (DU) and Research Center of DU, Center for Inter-Religious and Intercultural Dialogue (CIID), and a research center of Bangladesh Episcopal Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue (ECID) Bangladesh on April 29, 2009 at the Lecture Theater Building of DU. The conference began with recitations from both the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Bible. The two welcome speeches were presented by Professor Eva Sadi Saad, Chairperson, Department of World Religions, DU and Fr. James C. Cruze, CSC, Secretary of the Commission, Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue. Professor Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam and Father Francesco Rapacioli talked about the importance of Christian- Muslim Dialogue. Fr. Dr. Tapan D. Razario, Professor of World Religion, DU and Dr. Abdullahil Baki, Professor of Chemistry, Jahangirnagar University were the keynote speakers. Ms. Itala Occhi, Honorable Ambassador of Italy in Bangladesh, Archbishop Joseph Mariano, Vatican Ambassador of Bangladesh, Archbishop Paulinus Costa, D.D of Dhaka and Mr. Khalilur Rahman, Imam, Central Mosque of Dhaka University were present in the conference as Special Guests. About 35 Imams from the Muslim faith and 35 Pastors from the Christian faith and a number of Islamic scholars and Christian theologians were present at the conference. They were divided into five groups combining both the faiths. The groups discussed common philosophy, faith, abstinence, charity, love, devolution, forgiveness, meditation, prayer, suffering, wisdom etc. Then the leader of each group presented a summary of their discussions. Professor Kazi Nurul Islam offered the vote of thanks.

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