Club Day of Fall 2009, with the theme of Climate Change, is held on Saturday, November 21, from 11am 1:30pm, in the ULAB Auditorium. Club stalls for sign-up and information were in the cafe passageway, and/or ground floor lobby. Professor Imran Rahman, Honourable Pro-VC of ULAB, inspired the students with his kind presence.

Climate Change, one of the most globally relevant issues of today, was our central theme. Many of the clubs directly or indirecltly related their shows to it. However, some of them highlighted the War of Indepednece as we are head into the glorious month of December.

ULAB Faculty Present Paper on Digital Bangladesh.

ULAB Faculty from the Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) Dept will present a paper entitled: “Narratives on Digital Bangladesh: Shared Meanings, Shared Concerns” on November 18, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., at the Seminar Room, Campus B.  Co-authored by Prof. Jude Genilo, Associate Prof. Md. Shamsul Islam and Lecturer Marium Akther, the paper was among the 21 ICT academic researches accepted for presentation at the competitive Communication and Policy Research (CPR) South Conference (with the theme “Speaking Truth to Power”) to be held in Negombo, Sri Lanka on December 5 to 8, 2009.  The paper discussant will be Associate Prof. Tamnun Mursalin.

The paper’s abstract reads:  One of the campaign promises of the interim Awami League government was a “Digital Bangladesh” by 2021.  What the phrase exactly meant remained unclear.  Political speeches offered little clues amid the jargon.  Hence, some political analysts think that the government simply wanted a political slogan that associated them with modern and progressive thinking. Such was done to win over the educated and young voters, who demanded from the government a strategic emphasis on using Information and Communication Technologies. In using such a catchy slogan, however, the government placed “Digital Bangladesh” on the public agenda. 

Academic conferences, roundtable discussions and media stories have been executed in its name.  This paper looked at the emerging narratives concerning “Digital Bangladesh” to provide some direction to the current government regarding popular consensus - particularly the shared meanings and shared concerns taking shape.  It sought to answer the question:  What are the understandings of Digital Bangladesh by the various sectors of society – government, business, media, academe, information technology and civil society?  The paper used a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design using the research methods of document examination, interviews and discourse analysis.  From the data, the paper illustrated that there were still no clear definitions, goals and roadmaps on Digital Bangladesh.  However, there existed a consensus regarding its beneficiaries, scope, components and feasibility.  The study recommended that government continue with and expand the dialogue on Digital Bangladesh, particularly in areas where there have been no clear shared meanings.  Government should likewise take off from emerging consensus and address the shared concerns, especially in designing future policies.  

The study is part of the paper presentation series of the MSJ Department.  The first paper entitled ““Media Pluralism and Development in Malaysia: A Third Eye View” was delivered by Assistant Professor Md. Asiuzzaman on October 7, 2009.  This was followd by another paper ““New Media, Knowledge Acquisition and Participatory Governance in Rural Bangladesh” presented on October 26 by Prof. Jude Genilo and Ms. Marium Akther.  The last two research papers lined up for presentation are: Domestication of Film (Anis Pervez) and Public Relations in Bangladesh: Past Discourses, Future Trends (Jude Genilo/Imtiaz Ahmed Chowdhury).

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ULAB Roundtable Addresses Business Journalism.

The Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) Department of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) held a Roundtable Discussion entitled “Business Journalism in Bangladesh: The Way Forward” on November 12, 2009, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the ULAB Auditorium.  Panelists to the Roundtable Discussion include Amader Shomoy Publisher/Editor Nayeemul Islam Khan, Daily Samakal Senior Reporter Abu Kawser, Katalyst Group Manager Monirul Bashar and ULAB Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Imran Rahman.  The objective of the activity was to assess the current status of the business journalism in Bangladesh and to provide directions as to its future.  During the discussion, the following questions were answered: 

• Is Bangladesh ready for business journalism?  Is there a need for business journalism?   Why or why not? 
• How would you assess business journalism in Bangladesh in general?  How would you assess business journalism in Bangladesh in terms of financial reporting, industrial sector reporting, corporate reporting and professionalism/ethics?
  
• What do you think is the way forward for business journalism in Bangladesh?
  

ULAB opened its doors in October 2004 after obtaining permission from the University Grants Commission.  The MSJ Department has three study concentrations – Mass Communication, Journalism and Digital Production.  It has around 200 students at present.  The roundtable discussion facilitated by Associate Prof. Shamsul Islam.

You are cordially invited to attend the program named  "Nouka Baich" on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at ULAB auditorium. Shangskriti Shangsad is going to organize this cultural program.

Your participation will be highly appreciated.

ULAB Wins Citi Financial IT Case Competition (CFICC)!

ULAB-Geeks, the software development team of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) won the championship of the prestigious Citi Financial IT Case Competition (CFICC) at a gala event in the Sonargaon Hotel Ballroom, Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Beating out all other teams, ULAB-Geeks cinched the championship with their innovative ESMS Banking (Extended SMS Banking) Solution. 1st runner up was Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and 2nd runner up was Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). 3rd and 4th Runners Up were Dhaka University (DU) and United International University (UIU). In all, 54 teams across 20 universities (8 public and 12 private) participated in the competition.

The champions was awarded US $5000, the 1st runner up was awarded US $2000, and the 2nd runner up was awarded US $1000.

Another ULAB team, DILIGENT-ULAB achieved 7th position at the CFICC. The project manager for that team was Tanvir Atahary, Lecturer, ETE, ULAB.

ULAB-Geeks consists of Mr. Amitav Paul, Lecturer, Computer Science and Engineering; students Racy Gomes (ETE), Abdullah-al-Mamun (ETE), Tanjila Tajrin (BBA), and Abdullah-al-Muzahid (BBA). Mr. Hasan Shirazi, Assistant Professor of the Business School, was a close adviser to the project. And Dr. Syed Akhter Hossain, former Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, was an inspiration to the students from the beginning to end. 

The Citi Financial IT Case Competition, funded by Citi Foundation and organized by D.Net, is the first of its kind in Bangladesh that created opportunity for the young and talented minds from different public and private universities to let their talents shine through unique software and information system development for the financial sectors. ULAB was also the university partner of the competition.

The main goal of the competition was to promote a culture of business and technology development amongst the future leaders of the country based on the local needs as well as global business demands. It will also act as vanguard to reduce the gap between academia and industries. 

Ananya Raihan, Executive Director of D.Net, Prof Rafiqul Islam, Vice Chancellor of ULAB, AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder, Secretary for Science and ICT Ministry, and Mamun Rashid, Managing Director and Citi Dountry Officer for Bangladesh handing over prize money and crest to the ULAB-Geeks team.