Feature

Campus- the Voice of the “Campus Generation”

Asrar Chowdhury

The Weekly Star Campus of the Daily Star completes four years this month. Prior to Campus, there was no common platform from where the campus youth and those related to a campus could voice themselves. Campus related pieces would find themselves in various sections of the Daily Star to which they were not well suited. In the absence of a common and formal platform, such sporadic contributions failed to represent and target the voice of the youth of Bangladesh. The launching of Star Campus came as a breath of fresh air. It also came as a challenge. The challenge was twofold. First: Could an English weekly impact the youth? Second: could such a weekly form a distinctive identity of its own?

Photo: RANAK MARTIN

There are causes to be sceptical about an English weekly targeted to the youth making an impact in a non-English speaking country. Close observation reveals that readers of English newspapers in Bangladesh are concentrated in urban and semi-urban areas (mostly around Dhaka). This population can be segregated into two groups- students and professionals. Further observation reveals that universities, colleges and high schools in Bangladesh are exclusively concentrated in and around these areas. An ever growing educated population in absolute numbers will always be a potential source for any youth-related endeavour. The ground for Campus to take-off was always existent. It was in this background that Campus emerged in August 2006.

In four years, Campus has developed a unique identity that ranks alongside other popular sections and weeklies of the Daily Star. A survey among the youth will easily reveal that Campus is the most popular weekly among students in Bangladesh. Today English is no longer a language. It is a tool to communicate and interact with the outside world. Cultures and nations that were apathetic towards English are also joining the bandwagon to 'keep up with the Joneses'. Campus has done a wonderful job by covering topics that are related to the youth from a Bangladeshi and an international perspective.

In spite of the progress Campus has made in four years, there is still scope for improvement. Campus does not have a section for reader's feedback. The Internet edition of Campus currently does not allow feedback. Such feedback is possible for articles in the main newspaper. The Newsroom Section can include forthcoming events alongside events that have already happened. Campus can organise monthly competitions on a relevant topic related to the youth. The authors whose articles are printed can receive a year's free subscription to the weekly. This will serve a dual objective- encourage readers to read and contribute to Campus; and also prepare readers of today's Campus to become readers of the main newspaper when they enter their professional lives.

The Facebook group of Campus needs to be more pro-active. Experience can be gathered from the various Facebook groups of BBC Radio programmes. Interesting blogs in the Campus Facebook group can be published in the print version. A new section that exclusively focuses on contemporary national and international issues would enable the youth to voice their opinions on various issues to which they relate.

It takes two to dance the Tango. The innovativeness and professionalism of the Campus Team; and the intelligence and creativity of the youth of Bangladesh has transformed Campus to what it is today. For me, it has been a sobering experience to contribute pieces that have been read and shared by the minds of tomorrow's Bangladesh. It has been an equally sobering experience to have been involved directly and indirectly with some programmes of Campus. As Campus enters its 5th Year, I take this opportunity to salute what today is the voice and spirit of the “Campus Generation” of Bangladesh. May Campus uphold this spirit and with today's youth travel to places their predecessors did only in their dreams. Happy Birthday, Campus!

(The writer teaches economics at Jahangirnagar University and North South University. Email: asrarul@gmail.com)