MSJ Welcomes Fall 2026 Freshers at Orientation & Apprenticeship Day
Professor Sumon Rahman poses with the awardees following the award ceremony.
The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organized the MSJ Orientation & Apprenticeship Day, Fall 2026, at the Forum Hall on Friday, formally welcoming its newest cohort of students and introducing them to the department, its academic community, and the apprenticeship opportunities it offers.
The event brought together faculty members, guests, and incoming students for a program thoughtfully designed to familiarize freshers with the department's academic environment, history, values, faculty, and the many avenues available for practical, hands-on learning.
The program began with a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, followed by a message from Dr. Sumon Rahman, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, ULAB. Emphasizing the changing nature of the media industry, Dr. Sumon Rahman said,
"Journalism is no longer just journalism. What we once knew as journalism has evolved into multimedia storytelling. So, if you want to be a journalist today, you are not just reporting stories; you are a storyteller and a content creator."
As part of the orientation, students were introduced to the MSJ faculty and administrative team through a video prepared by the Brian Shoesmith Media Lab. This was followed by an interactive Mentimeter session, led by Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, which offered an engaging overview of the student community and the diverse backgrounds it represents.
The program then turned to a session on the history, values, and mission of MSJ, led by Syeda Sadia Mehjabin, Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Coordinator, School of Social Sciences. She addressed the freshers before a video presentation on MSJ's history, values, and mission, prepared under her guidance. Highlighting the importance of practical learning alongside academic knowledge, she said,
"Today, classroom theory and assignments alone are not enough. What truly matters is how we turn that knowledge into skills that prepare us for the real world."
The program also addressed professional development, as Muhammad Aminuzzaman, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, conducted a live website showcase on portfolio creation. The session highlighted the value of building a strong personal portfolio as students look ahead to future academic and professional pursuits.
The orientation further included an interactive Kahoot session, led by Andalib Rubayat, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, offering students a lively and engaging opportunity to interact with their peers and faculty
The program also featured a video compilation prepared by the Brian Shoesmith Media Lab, showcasing the department's apprenticeship units and outreach programs and highlighting opportunities for students to gain practical experience beyond the classroom.
The MSJ Department currently runs seven apprenticeship units and two outreach programs: The ULABians, CinemaScope, U CAST, PR4U, AnimeKhota, ULAB TV, ShutterBugs, ForensIQ, and the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF).
The event drew to a close with the presentation of the Fall 2026 Apprenticeship Awards, honoring students for their dedication, creativity, and contributions to the department's apprenticeship activities. Professor Sumon Rahman presented the awards to the recipients, and the ceremony concluded with a group photograph.
Following the formal program, the freshers took part in student advising sessions with faculty members and toured the Library and the MSJ Department as part of their orientation.