Feature

Now that I have graduated...

Tahsin Hassan Bini

NOW that I have graduated with a BSS in Media and Communication from Independent University, Bangladesh, I look back with many fond memories of my undergraduate years and look forward with great hope and some trepidation to the future. Towards ensuring a future that I will be comfortable with, I am currently enrolled in the Master's in Development Studies program at IUB. I hope to complete this part of my formal education in December 2010. I want to work in the field of development or in education and I believe that my undergraduate program in Media and Communication and my Masters program that I am currently pursuing have equipped me adequately to take up a suitable profession in those areas.

I have learnt a lot of things from IUB which will help me and my friends in our personal and professional life. In Media and Communication we have not only studied about media but also development. The subjects that we studied have given us both theoretical and practical knowledge.

One of the most important courses at IUB is Internship. The students get a chance to work in multinational companies, advertising firms, TV channels, newspapers, IGOs, NGOs, commercial banks, foreign missions in Dhaka and so on. I did my intern in a news channel. I have become familiar with news making in action. In 3 months of my internship I learnt about professional life. I worked as a desk reporter. I have given voice over also and have prepared news. IUB is the only university of Bangladesh where there is a course called in Field Experience). Students go to different places away from their residence to a rural setting. They learn about village culture, problems, about underdevelopment, about village social structure and many other things. They also get a chance to get along with the villagers which is not possible in the city. All students regardless of social background have to live together and eat the same food. LFE taught us to face every problem as a unit, besides boldly facing all kinds of situations. So I can proudly say that IUB not only provide class room education but also about various aspects of life.

I have involved myself in several extra curricular activities. I was
once a councilor of IUB. In this capacity I met with former US Ambassador to Dhaka Patric Butenis in a US trade show. I also met the famous Indian writer Shunil Gongopadhay at the Indian and Bangladeshi Book Fair. I have also met Dr. Younus and many other illustrious persons.

IUB has made me an independent and confiident woman. The faculties and officials like G.M. Shahidul Alam, Masud Choudhury, Mahbub Alam, M Nazir, Manzurul Mannan and last, but not the least, M. Faruque have helped me. They have always supported their students. They help students facing problems, and have supported them mentally too.

That was my immediate past. Now I am looking to the future. As a woman I have to face a lot of social barriers ahead of my life which I have to overcome. Many in our society are not been in seeing a woman shine in life. They have to face so many family problems too. A woman has to think about herself. She has to face the challenges of life. IUB has taught me to face these challenges. In the future I realize that I will have to face a lot of stiff competition and that I have to fight to achieve my goals. I realize that I have the knowledge and skills to succeed. As an undergrad I was supported by my parents, faculties and my friends but for the future I will have to look out for myself. That is what life after graduation actually signifies. My life at IUB was fun as an undergraduate but it has also prepared me well for taking up the challenges of the future.

(BSS in Media and Communication & MDS Candidate, IUB)