International Inter University Photography Exhibition

Color Still life -1st Easil Murtoza - East West University

Local young photographers put on a fabulous display of talent in the International Inter University Photography Exhibition (IIUPE), held recently. Organized by the North South University Photography Club (NSUPC), in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the exhibition gave the local young photographers an opportunity to exhibit their creativity. The exhibition also had a significant number of international participants.

The exhibition was held from 17-23 March, 2007 at The National Art Gallery of Shilpakala Academy. Sponsored by AKTEL, it was titled Aktel International Inter University Photography Exhibition 2007. North South University had arranged for suck events before, and this was the 6th time they were putting up such an exhibition. With the participation of 30 national and 20 foreign universities, and 550 photos on display, NSUPC believes that this year's event has been a grand success.

The participants competed for total of 30 awards in different categories; namely Colour and Black & White. Subcategorized into Landscape, Portrait, Lifestyle, Architecture, Action, Still Life and Nature and with addition of a new category, Photo Story; the panel of judges were led by Dr. Shahidul Alam, Founder, DRIK.

My personal experience was fabulous. The photos were absolutely incredible. Having only recently been able to not feel jealous of other photographers when they show off with their best, I was able to appreciate just how beautiful and incredible the photos were. I felt immensely proud that our photographers, the local Bangladeshi ones are now producing works of this caliber. I was moving from one picture to another, spellbound, wondering, "Photographers from over here produced photos like this?" Amir, a 23-year old from BRAC University even excitedly said, “I'm enjoying this more than I did Chobi Mela!”

What was inspiring is how enthusiastically visitors embraced the exhibition. Creativity and efforts were rightfully appreciated and such events will encourage more photographers and creative enthusiasts to try out different things and take our country a step forward on the international platform.

By Ahmed Ashiful Haque Niloy

I‘ve been to many concerts and performed in many. But my most memorable experience was an ISD art workshop on March 14 and 15 this year. It was an amazing two days of extreme excitement, hard work and loads of fun!

About 300 students from nine schools participated including International School of Dhaka (ISD), American International School Dhaka, Sir John Wilson School, BIT, Aga Khan School, Grace International School, Scholastica, The Red Brick School and Australian International School. ISD arranged the whole workshop and concert, opening up their premises and auditorium to all the participants.

We had 2 days to learn, rehearse and be ready to perform. Can you imagine the pressure? Yet, we did it and had tons of fun doing it.

On March 14 we started our day off with some activities like warming up exercises, making groups and getting to know each other . Our host who guided us through the whole thing was the brilliant Ms. Carrick, a teacher of ISD. After the fun-filled activities, we were divided into eight groups. There was the singing group, dancing group, acting, chainsawers, evil clowns, artists, drummers and the drama groups. Mr McGibbon, another teacher of ISD was our singing instructor. He told us that we would be singing two songs by Michael Jackson. We had guitarists for one of the songs. During the rehearsals we heard them -they played very well!

The next day was concert day and so it was longer and harder. Everybody wore black to blend in with the theme, which was 'Saving the rainforest'. Mr. McGibbon chose about eight soloists. I can't remember their names but they were very good. Ms. Karla was the dance instructor. She was very helpful to the dancers and guided them through the whole thing.

Then it was time for the concert. Everybody was nervous and panicking. We got out to the stage and gave it our very best.

The stage had been beautifully designed to look like a rainforest. All these props had been made by the artist groups. But many of the trees and flowers were actually students wearing the props. There was a huge back projection showing Michael Jackson's music video on the destruction of the rainforest. The performers danced to the music and performed small skits. There were characters representing different countries to show how people had to cut trees in order to live. The performance also showed how greedy people cut down trees to make more money without caring about the damage they are causing. There was another skit showing how dependent human beings are on rainforests.

During the performance the chorus singers sang 'Is This the World We Created'. At one point an army of evil clowns wearing frightening masks, ran through the aisles scaring the audience. At the end of the show all of us sang 'Heal the World' and many of the parents in the audience clapped along.

At the end of the concert, everyone congratulated us. Our parents and teachers said that it had been one of the best concerts they had ever seen. The best part was that we had done this only in two days. But of course much of the credit goes to the ISD teachers who conducted the workshop, the teachers of the other school who also helped in getting the workshop going and the ISD authorities who were so generous to make it possible for all of us to participate in this wonderful workshop.

By Mehvish Gulzareen Ali

Diligite Lumen Sapie

The subway project

ntiae', the motto of the prestigious Notre Dame College (NDC) when translated from Latin means, 'love the light of wisdom'. In the truest sense of it the NDC Science club since its inception in 1955 has been arranging an 'Annual Science Festival' so the young innovators and inventors could have a stage to showcase their talent.

To inaugurate the event a small reception was arranged on the 22nd March where Md. Momtazul Islam the secretary of the ministry of education was present as the chief guest. During speech the speaker's prediction of another Nobel Prize winner from the participants delighted everyone present at the ceremony. Principal Fr. Benjamin Costa CSC during his speech said “let this festival really be the festival that we mean it to be.” The event went on till the 24th March. This year the festival showcased over 500 projects from 70 different institutions across Dhaka under the common roof of the NDC. Teams were allowed to have a maximum of three members. The projects were all divided into 'physical', 'biological' and 'information and communication technology' (ICT) projects. It was a celebration of science as well as a competition for the best. When asked about the judging criteria for the projects Sushanto Kumar Saha, the NDC Science Club Moderator said, “we mainly want to see how innovative and creative the participants are with their project and their ability in mathematics.” He admitted that the 'Nuclear Technology' project by the students of NDC and the 'Subway' project that came in all the way from Scholastica got him impressed.

The first project displayed a simple way of creating alpha, beta and gamma rays so those can be used for cancer treatment and the latter the usefulness of a subway in BD that would also tone down the effect of air pollution. There were also other innovative projects like the 'Water Level Indicator' project by NDC students where they showcased an electronic prototype of detecting the level of water and 'Liver Disorders The HCV' an awareness project by another Scholastica team of three, Ibtisam, Shehtaz and Aseef who were trying to make people aware of the Hepatitis C Virus that kills approximately 140 million people worldwide.

With so much science for three days I am sure the participants went back with their brain full of knowledge and an experience like no other.

By Hitoishi Chakma

On Wednesday 14 March 2007, those students of Loreeto School who had received certificates for their extra-curriculars, were taken on a study tour to Gono Shasthaya Kendra, Savar to participate in community service. This venue had been chosen because it comprises different institutions which contribute significantly to our socio-economic condition. It has a medical college named Gono Shasthaya Medical College, a Gono Patshala, a dairy farm, a textile mill, a pharmaceutical company and a Gono Biswa Biddalaya.

Volunteers from the Gono Shasthaya Kendra took the our students around to show them their projects involving health, sanitation, family planning, immunization programmes and so on. The center is involved in the rehabilitation of poor and suppressed women. Also on the same day, the students visited the village of Kakran, where they saw firsthand the poor health conditions of the children living there.

The following day, they were accompanied by teachers and volunteers to the village of Khejur Tek, where they studied problems related to scarcity of pure drinking water. The students also visited the Gono Shasthaya Medical College.

These trips afforded the students with insight on the health and sanitation issues in our rural areas. They participated in a weeding programme, which gave them a chance to experience fresh air, as well as taught them about agriculture.

The tour was topped off with a cultural performance by the pupils of Gono Patshala, and ended with a lunchtime certificate-giving ceremony in honour of the Loreeto students.

An art competition was held recently at Tiny Tots school to mask the Independence day.