Volume IV, Issue V
Spring XX
Brac University 2.0: Turning vision into reality Sadrina Afrin Mowna Zamima Islam Sabaa Journalists On January 23rd, Brac University was selected as the only university in Southeast Asia to be part of the Open Society University Network (OSUN), along with 11 other universities worldwide. The announcement was made by billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held at Davos, Switzerland. Endowed with $1 billion, OSUN seeks to prepare its students for global challenges by promoting liberal ideologies, freedom of expression, and other integral values of an open society. The new vision of BracU known as “Brac University 2.0” perfectly coincides with OSUN’s quest, since they both wish to create a new model of higher learning, which extends beyond geographic boundaries. The participating institutions, headed by the Central European University and Bard College (USA), will collaborate curricula, courses, and research projects to boost civic engagement. Being part of such a community will enable BracU students to engage in integrated network courses and joint degree programs at institutions across the globe. Students
will also be fostered in an environment that addresses social injustice and fundamental challenges such as climate change and human rights, resulting in more critical thinkers and global citizens. The project will not only play an integral role in mobilising the progress of BracU but will also serve as a unique approach to higher education in Bangladesh as a whole. In another effort to make BracU a part of the global network, an agreement with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Foundation has been signed to run The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme in BracU. The memorandum of understanding was signed on January 28th. The BracU VC and the National Director of DEA Foundation, Bangladesh shake hands after signing the deal Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a noncompetitive programme that was complete a series of self-improvement activities. A established in the UK in 1956 by His Royal Highness, certificate demonstrating the student’s work will the Duke of Edinburgh. The Award programme will be awarded after each student has completed the be offered to BracU’s 11,000 existing student body and programme. Achieving internationally recognised will be made a mandatory experience for incoming awards such as this will help improve students’ freshmen. This internationally recognised award interpersonal skills and promote qualities that will opens up a platform for students who want to explore help them in their future. their hidden talents and acknowledges students who
BracU celebrates Saraswati Puja
Club Fair Spring 2020: Spring Juvenescence
Dipita Saha Shweta Journalist Brac University celebrated this year’s Saraswati Puja, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community, on January 29th at the Building 02 Indoor Auditorium. The event served as a reminder that BracU demonstrates equal attention to all kinds of religious communities and activities and promotes multi-diversity on campus. According to Hinduism, Indoor auditorium glammed up for Saraswati puja Saraswati Devi is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, creative arts, and language. During Vasant Panchami, a festival that celebrates the arrival of spring, people pay their respect and pray to the goddess of knowledge. The puja was made possible by the diligent members of the Hindu community in BracU. The conveners of the community are Shib Narayan Kairy, Treasurer; and Zainab F. Ali, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Architecture. The event planning began in December, 2019, with the budget being passed in the same month. The total budget for the event was Tk 2.51 Lacs, which was fully funded by BracU. The puja commenced at 9.30 am at the Indoor Auditorium. Around 11 am, the Anjali took place and the student and faculty devotees received the blessings of the Devi. The Prasad (devotional food offerings) was prepared in the university premises the night before, with the assistance of a catering service and distributed in the campus later on. Meals were cooked for nearly 2,000 people and included Kichuri and vegetable dishes along with Shondesh for dessert. The event concluded with a cultural show in which many artists from BracU performed. The highlight of the show was the performance by the special guest Sadi Mohammad, a renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer. The show was graced by the presence of students and faculties from all disciplines. The event ended in the evening followed by Protima Bishorjon on February 4th marking the completion of Saraswati Jayanti.
Building 2 adorned for the festivities
Moumita A. Mallick Journalist Brac University’s three-day-long club fair commenced on February 3rd in the Building 02 Indoor Auditorium. The event, known as Spring Juvenescence, was organized by the BRAC University Leadership Development Forum (BULDF). Staying true to its theme, the entire campus was decorated in the youthful colors of spring. The inauguration ceremony of Spring Juvenescence took place at 10 am. Following the inauguration, there was a registration period when student-run clubs of BracU took in students, new and old, to join their clubs. BRAC University Cultural Club (BUCuC) actively participated to entertain the audience with musical performances. The day ended with the most-waited segment of the event, concerts by Thunder and Warfaze. On the second day, Brac University Film Club’s (BUFC) screened the movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and more performances followed from BRAC University Drama and Theater Forum (BUDTF). The third day saw a day-long food fest organized throughout Buildings 01 and 02.