By Tuni Nigar
Orientation: Fall 2024
The Department of English and Humanities (DEH) at ULAB warmly welcomed its incoming BA and MA students for Fall 2024 with an Orientation Program on October 24, 2024. Based on the theme “Adventures Await!”, the event featured Ms. Shahnaz Gazi, Director General of the Foreign Service Academy, as the Orientation Speaker.
Ms. Gazi expressed her gratitude toward ULAB, reflecting on how the university shaped her daughter, a DEH alumna. She elaborated on her own career journey, from high school to becoming a civil service officer, emphasizing the vital aspect of building a career, especially for women, before embarking on other life goals.
The event started with a welcome speech by Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head of the Department of English and Humanities (DEH). She inspired the students to make the most of their university life. This was followed by introductions from faculty members, including Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, who encouraged students to balance academics with extracurricular activities, and Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Special Advisor to the ULAB Board of Trustees, praising the courage and determination of the youth.
The cultural segment highlighted the talent of DEH students with a performance of Tagore’s “Nirjhorer Shopnobhongo”, group dances, and a duet. Ms. Neha Ghose, lecturer at DEH, also introduced the English Zone, encouraging students to engage with its offerings. The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks by Ms. Jahanara Tariq and a group photo session, marking a vibrant beginning for the new students of Fall 2024.
Graduate Student Seminar: Fall 2024
The Graduate Student Seminar for Fall 2024 at ULAB’s Department of English and Humanities, convened on the 6th of November, was a brilliant showcase of ideas and reflections, bridging academic and scholarly depth with creativity. Fourteen MA students from three diverse academic tracks – Literature and Cultural Studies, Applied Linguistics and TESOL, and Literature and Creative Writing – were nominated by their course instructors to present their scholarly papers – elucidating excellence across disciplines. The seminar was inaugurated by Ms. Nadia Rahman, Assistant Professor at DEH, who graciously welcomed all the faculty members, presenters, and the students. A diverse array of insightful presentations explored a broad interplay of topics encompassing language, literature, and culture.
10th DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition
DEH successfully hosted the 10th DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition on December 19-20, 2024. This event, centered on the theme “Language Weaponization and Socio-Political Change,” brought together students from 32 universities across six districts, fostering scholarly engagement and creative expression. The event was graced by Professor S M A Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest, who praised the students for their intellectual courage and contributions. Professor Shawkat Hussain, PhD, Retired Professor of English at the University of Dhaka, and Professor Zulfeqar Haider, Senior Specialist (Curriculum) at the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), evaluated the Academic Session. Meanwhile, the Cultural Competition was judged by Professor Razia Sultana Khan, PhD, Advisor to the Department of English and Modern Languages at Independent University, Bangladesh, and Mr. Abdus Selim, Associate Professor at Central Women’s University.
The Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony was attended by distinguished academics, including ULAB Vice Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman. The Best Paper Award for the academic session was presented to Afnan Bintey Helal of East West University while Naffatun Zinan of the University of Dhaka was awarded the Runner-Up Paper Award. Meanwhile, East Delta University’s “Frauds of Translation” emerged as the champion for the cultural competition, while ULAB’s “Words to Live By” won the Runner-Up position.
Book Launch: Annoyingly in Love
ULAB’s Department of English and Humanities celebrated the launch of Annoyingly in Love, a manga written by Neha Ghose who is a lecturer at the Department of English and Humanities and advisor to the ULAB English Zone, and illustrated by DEH alumna Shreya Talukder. The event, held on December 31, 2024, featured a conversation with Oliur Rahman Sun, lecturer at the Department of English and Humanities, and was graced by vibrant faculty members, enthusiastic students, and the Vice Chancellor of ULAB, marking a significant moment of creative achievement for the department.
Commencement of Fall 2024
The Department of English and Humanities at ULAB celebrated its Fall 2024 Commencement ceremony on January 9, 2025, themed “Turning the Page,” marking the transition of BA and MA graduates to new life chapters. The event featured speeches by the Head of the Department, Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Professor Kaiser Haq, and Special Advisor to the ULAB Board of Trustees, Professor Shamsad Mortuza, reflecting on the transformative journey of the English program. The commencement speaker, lecturer Ms. Neha Ghose delivered an inspiring commencement address, sharing her personal journey and concluding with a heartfelt song. The ceremony included a student experience-sharing session and storytelling, and concluded with a presentation of a keepsake brochure, a vote of thanks by lecturer Mehek Chowdhury, and a group photo session to commemorate the occasion.