BRACU Express - Volume 5 Issue 5

Volume V, Issue V

April, 2021

Spring XXI

Masuda Khan makes top 10 of Miss Universe Bangladesh Neelmoni Lata Shankho Journalist Masuda Khan ( Junior, ENH) made it all the way to the top 10 of the prestigious Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 beauty pageant competition. When talking to her about her experiences there, she quoted that her spontaneous nature is what led her to sign up for the much-anticipated beauty pageant programme. The application advertisement appearing multiple times on her Facebook feed convinced her to register. When asked about her inspiration to sign up for it, she replied with an interesting answer, “…while curiosity partly played a role for me signing up, previous infamous answers played a big role, too. I wondered if I could succumb to (the) pressure too.”

Masuda Khan on the runway of Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 Source: Miss Universe Facebook page

After competing against thousands of young girls from all over Bangladesh, Masuda made it to the top 10 on March 3rd. “It was the night of my birthday and I was taken aback by the news of making it to the top 10!” she further added. She then went on to walk the runway for the finale on April 3rd.

Masuda Khan walks the final runway barefeet as her heels break

Describing the whole experience as “crazy”, she pointed out some of the highlights of participating in Miss Universe Bangladesh, one of which was meeting some great people; the participants, the judges, and the groomers from Bangladesh and India in particular. During the one-month campaign at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, long sessions were held, not only on modelling but also on how to be compassionate, empathetic, and on how to inspire

change and become change-makers. She faced a great deal of difficulty when it came to walking on stilettos on the runway. However, throughout the whole experience, not only did she learn to do so flawlessly, but she also improved her posture and how to present herself gracefully. She said the grooming sessions taught her to be boldly feminine. When asked what she thought to be her greatest takeaway, after 10 seconds of deep remuneration, she beamed and exclaimed, “Posture!”

Masuda wishes to utilise all of what she has learnt throughout the campaign and use it for humanitarian causes. Apart from being a model she is a brilliant artist and she hopes to spread awareness regarding climate change and the importance of female education in Bangladesh through her art.

Brac University: First in Bangladesh to reach the Advanced round of Jessup Nabiha Tahsin Nuha Journalist In the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court competition 2021, the Moot Court Team at the Brac University School of Law earned the golden opportunity to represent Bangladesh, for the first time in the advanced rounds. This is the largest Moot Court competition in the world, arranged annually by the International Law Students Association (ILSA). This year, the global rounds were held virtually between 9 March and 17April. Md. Hossain (Senior, SOL), Rakibul Islam Bhuiyan (Senior, SOL) and Humaira Anjum (Senior, SOL) comprised the Law School team. Farhaan Uddin Ahmed, senior lecturer in SOL, had consulted and coached them.

There were certain difficulties tackling education during a global pandemic. They were pitted against groups from all over the world in multiple rounds and were scrutinised by judges as such. However, their knowledge, professionalism, and coordination skills aided them in overcoming all the obstacles. Being the first-ever Bangladeshi team to advance to the White and Case Round, this team has been able to lay down BracU and our SOL on the road map.

This trio is still looking forward to attending such events, not just to enhance their capabilities, but also to elevate the name of Brac University. Lastly, they want the upcoming generations to carry the legacy they are leaving behind so that the name of BracU shines globally.

The team (from the left): Rakibul Islam, Humaira Anjum and Md. Hossain

Header Designed By: Nures Saba Tiana

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BRIEFS First-ever female chairperson of CSE

Mohaimenul Solaiman Nicholas Dr. Sadia Hamid Kazi has been appointed as the chairperson of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) on March 1st. Dr. Kazi is the very first woman to have been appointed as the chairperson of CSE. Dr. Kazi has been working with the department since its inception.

She has completed her Bachelor’s from BUET, her Master’s from Georgia State University, and her Ph.D. from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. She additionally holds firm experience from IDLC Finance Limited and Kazi Group of Industries, Bangladesh.

MES international energy conference 2021

Adeeba Afreen Chowdhury A three-day conference titled “Decentralized Electrification, Network Interconnection and Local Power Market” was organised on March 2nd by the Graduate School of Management (GSM) of Brac University, the Technical University Berlin, Germany and the Carnegie Mellon University, USA. The conference was initiated by Professor Vincent Chang, Vice Chancellor of Brac University; Professor Christian Thomsen, Baerbel Hoehn and Dr. Valerie Karplus, were also present. The event focused on the steps that should be taken after Bangladesh manages to provide 100% electricity access, and how renewable energy should be used instead of fossil fuels.

Medication adherence: opportunities for early career pharmacists

Adil Ahnaf The Department of Pharmacy of Brac University conducted a webinar titled “Medication Adherence: Opportunities for Early Career Pharmacists” on April 3rd, as part of its “Toolbox for Success” series. The webinar was presented by Mr. Ashish Rajadhyaksha, who has acquired an MBA degree from William Paterson University, New Jersey, as well as an MS degree from Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University. The webinar focused on the importance of maintaining a schedule of medicine intake for patients, and how modern pharmacists can work on developing the procedure.

April, 2021

Inside BusEcon: DoTs of Experience Fardin Alam Journalist BRAC University Business and Economics Forum (BUBeF) organised a live webinar titled “Inside BusEcon” on March 25th. The event was especially organised for students currently pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies and for those who are planning to launch their own start-ups. Inside BusEcon provided insights on how students can pursue their own business while actively fulfilling their responsibilities as a student.

Moreover, the event not only focused on start-ups but also suggested how to form one’s business with a longterm plan. Furthermore, the event also helped students understand that in terms of sustainability, setting up a business is comparatively easier than making a career as an entrepreneur.

The guest speakers of this webinar include - Rafee Mizan Khan Chowdhury Niloy (Graduate, CSE), Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of TEN’s 360 and Samiha Tahsin (Senior, CSE), Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Bonton Connect. They shared their experiences throughout the webinar and the ways of overcoming barriers to reach the ultimate goal. BUBeF successfully organised the first session of their Inside BusEcon series, which focused solely on entrepreneurship and they plan to continue the series highlighting different topics in the future.

BUEEC App: the ultimate companion for EEE students Deera Mahasin Journalist BRAC University Electrical and Electronic Club (BUEEC) has recently launched an app with the mission to assist students of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), with necessary materials and lab-associated guidance. The mobile application was developed by Mohammad Asif Imran Khan (Senior, EEE), the Director of Graphics and Photography Department of BUEEC, having Salamun Kawlam (Senior, EEE) as the UI designer of the app.

The mobile application was developed with two major objectives - to assist the EEE freshers in every possible way, easing their difficulties with lab calculations as well as coursework, and to introduce BUEEC to the students of EEE. The development and launch of the app required about 4 months, while the ideas to further improve the app and make it presentable were contributed by most of the panel members of BUEEC. The main difficulty faced by the developers in launching the app was to turn it online, from an offline application so that it is accessible to every student. The hopes the people behind the app have for it is that it will not only assist students with entry-level courses, but also the higher-level courses of EEE in near future.

In memory of Professor Md. Abdul Mottalib Sarah Nazia Chowdhury Journalist The former chairperson of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Brac University, Professor Md. Abdul Mottalib, breathed his last on the morning of April 1st, after losing his arduous battle with COVID-19.

From the very beginning of his journey, Professor Mottalib was nothing short of spectacular.

Comprising of outstanding credentials, which included his double Master’s and Ph.D. degree, he also held respectable positions as the former Research Fellow of UGC, former Scientific Officer at BAEC, and Lecturer of DU and IUT, and later on as the Dean of ULAB, after his exit from BracU. Additionally, throughout his lifetime he has had more than 150 scholarly papers inscribed under his name.

His former student, Shahan Jamil (Graduate, CSE) fondly reminisced his experience with Professor Mottalib, saying “He always had a kind smile, whether that was while cracking jokes or while reprimanding someone”. Jamil states that it was Professor Mottalib’s incessant vehemence for programming

Professor Md. Abdul Mottalib (1955-2021)

language and perpetual support which often incentivised him and other students to partake in competitions.

Undoubtedly, Motallib sir was a

scholar, but more than that he was an exemplary educator, and with his demise, Bangladesh marks the loss of a prominent academic.

April, 2021

OPINIONS & ACADEMICS

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UGC cancels online examinations: BRACU resorts to assignment-based midterms

Maiesha Samiha Mahmood Journalist Following that, Brac University suspended all examinations for the Summer 2021 semester- choosing to shift to assignment-based midterms in their stead.

This was faced with mixed reactions from the student body. Many students felt that online examinations were not an accurate reflection of proper learning; assignments ensured more detailed and efficient learning of the course materials.

Since the assignments have a longer deadline compared to online exams, they also encourage practice-all the while allowing students to get more creative and analytical with their answers. “The assignments required thorough research which led to much clearer and well-connected concepts,” says Taqua Rahman ( Junior, MNS).

However, since the shift was unexpected, it left many students reeling to acclimatise to the change just when they had gotten used to online examinations.

With lengthier assignments, some found it more pressurising too. Afia Alam ( Junior, MNS) says the assignments are “stressful and anxiety-inducing, even if I am more likely to remember what I learned due to more brainstorming”.

Adjusting to the assignment-based midterms Photo Credit: Samiha Masum

After the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the health directorate made a recommendation to cancel all exams at an emergency meeting of the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS). As a response to this, the University Grants Commission (UGC) released a circular on March 7th, requesting all private universities to refrain from taking online examinations.

Through such diverse reception, the assignment-based assessments will continue amidst the closure, until the 23rd of May, after which BracU will proceed according to further instructions from UGC.

Professor Charalabos Doumanidis - The Inaugural Vice President of Research Lamia Dilshad Waziha Journalist Professor Charalabos (Haris) Doumanidis has been appointed the Vice President of Research, effective from March 28th, 2021. Being a researcher himself, Vice-Chancellor Vincent Chang is hopeful of his exemplary record of ensuring research funding. His foremost duty will center on improving the research portfolio of Brac University both nationally and internationally while working around the existing research infrastructure.

Professor Doumanidis holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He started his career with Tufts University, USA where he progressed as a Full Professor and served as the Director of Thermal Manufacturing Laboratory. He subsequently served for more than a decade as the Founding Program Director of Nanomanufacturing Program at the National Science Foundation of USA. During that period, he also worked as a research engineer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was the Marie Curie Distinguished Professor, Founding Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Vin University, Vietnam, and the Vice Provost for Research at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan.

In accordance with all his prior accomplishments, we wish him another successful venture in Brac University wholeheartedly.

BRACU joins the Solve Climate movement Nazifa Saiara Haque Journalist On April 6th, Brac University organised a webinar titled Solve Climate Global Dialog, a long-awaited event by many environment enthusiasts. As a part of the campaign “Solve Climate by 2030” under Bard College, NY and Open Society University Network (OSUN) the webinar had Dr. ATM Nurul Amin, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, BracU, as well as Dr. Philippe Forêt, Dean at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, BracU, as special panelists and Masnoon Khair, Lecturer at the Economics and Social Sciences department at BracU, as the host.

The Solve Climate webinars at different universities are the key targets of the global campaign to reach out to people with the goal to make differences through climate change solutions. The webinar started with a short video of Dr. Eban Goodstein, Director of Bard Center for Environmental Policy, emphasising the dire necessity to work on climate solutions such as sharing an attempt by China for a carbon neutral economy and incorporation of it to class lessons irrespective of the subject matter. He added that we have time until 2030 to bring changes to the most alarming challenge ever faced by human species – climate change.

Professor Charalabos Doumanidis

The webinar continued with Dr. Forêt speaking about climate caucasianism, the necessity of science decolonisation and inclusion of Bangladesh in climate solutions. Dr. Amin focused on population utilisation as a major factor along with land and water for the green recovery of Bangladesh. Moreover, Khair introduced the concept of Anthropocene as well as brought the spotlight on the indigenous knowledge as feasible climate solutions. Finally, to support the global dialog, people were requested to sign a pledge.

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April, 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

April, 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

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April, 2021

OFF CAMPUS

Farhana Shahnaz: A Next Generation Leader from Brac University Sadia Afrin Shayla Journalist A student of Development studies at BRAC University, Farhana Shahnaz (Post Graduate, SDS) has been selected to partake in the ‘Next Generation Leaders program’ organised by Talloires Network of Engaged Universities in partnership with MasterCard Foundation.

She is one of 41 leaders who are scheduled to represent their respective countries and universities at the Talloires Network Global Leaders Conference (TNLC2021), to be hosted

by Tufts University and Harvard University from September 30th to October 3rd.

The Next Generation Leaders Program aims to connect civically engaged students around the world to discuss diverse and ethical approaches to civic engagement and activism. The leadership cohort is expected to meet virtually and through face-to-face conferences with the purpose of sharing their leadership experiences in order to broaden and explore future possibilities of working together for the betterment of society. In particular, the program will conduct several group discussions with a focus on particular themes that would help develop vital civic capabilities among the participants. This year, participants will be focusing on themes that include: pandemic recovery and resilience, innovations in gender equity, civic engagement futures and structured listening methods.

Farhana Shahnaz has been working as a communications officer at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a project focused on the prevention of violent extremism and the fostering of inclusivity and peace. She is a vocal activist on the practical applications of gender equality and women empowerment in society. Since gender related issues are a major theme to be discussed in the Next Generation Leaders Program, Shahnaz hopes to make resourceful contributions there. She also looks forward to getting the chance to deepen her knowledge on contemporary issues, and formulate concrete and inclusive solutions to global challenges together with the diverse community of selected international leaders.

Farhana Shahnaz selected for “Next Generations Leader’s Program”

Masuda Khan wins UNHCR art competition Tanzila Kaokab Journalist

“Life of refugees” by Masuda Khan

Masuda Khan ( Junior, ENH) won second price at the art competition hosted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to commemorate their 70th Anniversary last year. Every year, the UNHCR organises an art competition as a part of their movement to support refugees, protect their rights, and build a better future for them. To mark the occasion of its 70th anniversary in 2020, UNHCR in Bangladesh organised a local art competition on a unique theme, called “Life of Refugees’’, where Masuda’s painting received recognition.

Masuda’s winning artwork was crafted to highlight the instability in the lives of Rohingya refugees. She methodically made use of several symbols to portray this facet. For instance, she painted bubbles as a metaphor for the fragile

identity of the Rohingya refugees. She portrayed the way many people came to Bangladesh adjusting in a cockleboat; fighting against harsh weather conditions.

She further used sombre colours to serve as a metaphor for the uncertainty and bleak conditions the refugees are constantly faced with.

When asked about her inspiration, Masuda expressed that she had always fostered a sense of compassion towards the Rohingya refugees. So, upon hearing about the contest, she felt that it was a tailor made event to reflect her solidarity towards them through her artwork. She added that her creative senses work best when she has an emotional attachment with a theme. The competition was therefore a perfect platform to express herself vividly.

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April, 2021

SPORTS NEWS Ramadan 2021: Your holistic guide Umma Maimuna Alam Journalist Ramadan is indeed a blissful month for Muslims all around the globe. Although some of the usual aspects like Iftar parties, get-togethers, etc. is not possible during the pandemic, the true essence of Ramadan of bettering ourselves with high spirits still remains a constant. Thus, to help you on your journey through this blessed month, here are a few health tips that you can follow: Plan a well-balanced meal for suhoor and iftar: You need to plan 2 nutritious meals. You can include milk, egg, banana, oats and other protein based foods in suhoor. For iftar, it is best to limit or replace oily food. Make sure to include at least one item from each food category.

Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of water and add watery foods like juicy fruits and green vegetables. Avoid high sodium food as they make one thirsty.

Exercise: Do not let your body go lax. It is highly recommended to have at least 10 to 15 minutes of exercise in your routine - even if it is stretching or running.

Plan: Plan your meals, ibadats, prayers, online classes, course work and other activities to reduce stress.

“Run for Endearment”: An uncustomary celebration of MujibBorsho Syed Mohammed Mostaque Billah Sudipta Nandi Sarna Journalists

Run For Endearment: A virtual marathon organised by BUAC

Brac University, with the help of Brac University Adventure Club (BUAC), joined the country-wide celebration of the 101st birth year Anniversary of the pioneer of Bangladesh, Mujib-Borsho, with the distinctive event titled “Run for Endearment’’- a virtual marathon that took place on the 16th and 17th of March.

The event consisted of two segments; a 5km run and a 7.5km run where the participants had 1 hour and 20 minutes and 2 hours respectively to complete the course. On timely completion, participants were promised a medal and a participatory certificate.

To maintain the regulations of social distancing provided by WHO, runners participated from home

using an app named Strava that tracked their running progress. The collected money from the registration fee of the competition was donated to “Bidyanondo Foundation’’ to support underprivileged children honoring National Children’s day which was on the same date.

Mahfuzur Rahman Chowdhury (Senior, CSE), the Vice President of BUAC, states that the event was highly appreciated by UGC for its unique take on the grand celebration of Mujib-Borsho. He further added that he hoped this event would expose students to the concept of charity and encourage healthy practices, especially during the time of a pandemic.

BRACU’s hidden gems: Onez Chowdhury Shihab Sharar Journalist Hailing from the famous port city of Chittagong, Onez Chowdhury (CSE, 2017) began his inspirational and prolific journey to become one of the country’s rising stars in table tennis from an early age. In his school days, he pursued the sport as a hobby and before long caught his school’s athletic coach’s eye.

Onez represented his school in the National School Tournament and also came second in his first intra-school tournament. From then onwards, he was mentored by the country’s best and ultimately won the National Junior Championship in 2014, initiating his professional journey. Henceforth, he has been playing under Biman Bangladesh Airlines contractually for the last five years.

Onez at a Table Tennis Match

Onez’s accolades stretch far as he and his team have gone on to win the bronze medal at the prestigious Bangabandhu Bangladesh Games. He also grabbed bronze medals in the Dhaka Table Tennis Premier League (2015 and 2018) and stood runners-up in 2017’s Federation Cup and Club Cup Table Tennis in the past.

“The best feeling in table tennis is when I hear the sound of the bat and ball touching perfectly. Paired with the cheer of the audience from the gallery, I feel like I am a magician,” says Onez about his experience while playing.

Onez playing Table Tennis in the Indoor Games Room

The road to success has not been easy while tackling societal norms, however, he held his head high and drilled away to shape his dream.

Header Designed By: Zinia Nawrin

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April, 2021

Self-help books: Are they actually helping?

Nowshin Islam Journalist In times of uncertainty and turmoil, many people turn to the self-help industry in hope of guidance and insight. However, are these self-help books all that they claim to be? Are they helping us or hurting us? Regardless of the author, ‘change’ is the main controlling idea of most of these books. Yet, the idea of change is written from a position of privilege, not acknowledging that most of our problems are societal, and the aspirational problems are caused by comparing our game plan to our peer’s highlights.

Here comes the burning question— how many self-help books should you read? The accurate number is yet to be discovered because there is no ‘Unicorn’s Guide to Figuring out Life’. Most of these books are written by people denying the universal experience after they have read a self-help book— leading them to preach that if you just do somewhere between 3 and 100 tasks constantly, you will unlock a blissful utopia within the inner recess of your soul, find everlasting love, live in a perpetual state of abundance, and radiate cosmic energy.

All that being said, self-help books may still prove to be helpful for some, in combination with working with a professional coach or a therapist. Some of them are great if the intent is to be inspirational, which can motivate the human spirit. It is important however that when you encounter a self-help book, to ask yourself, “how much of the content is based on research that is valid?”

Fetch the Bolt Cutters: On mass produced cages forged by men

To wander out of wonder Asmita Roy Journalist Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina, released in Fall 2020, is a collection of short stories that encapsulates the tale of Elaina’s journey around the world. A trip is a vacation, but a journey is an aimless adventure; changing and morphing— taking the shape of a shadow or light, and spiraling around in a rotary motion without any destination. Anchored to her obsession over the anecdotes of a wandering witch, Elaina harnesses her skills to become a witch herself to live her book as the protagonist. On her adventure, she meets new and old friends, and sees the virtue of the world from both sides— the joy and the tragedy. Although her story does not have the glamour of a prophecy or destiny, Elaina does not lack charisma in any way. With Poster for Wandering Witch her calm and level-headed nature, she is simply a girl observing the people and their creations. Welcoming viewers into a world of magic and fantasy, the anime promises to please both gore and adventure lovers.

Tasfia Ahmed Journalist Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters, released in 2020, was awarded Best Alternative Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

The album articulates the universal hurdles of womanhood through the use of unfiltered lyrics and experimental percussion and vocals, trapping listeners into an intense listening experience.

Initially, Fetch the Bolt Cutters induces the feeling of voyeurism. While the lyrics in “Under the Table” emulate rebuttals to verbal fights, “Fetch the Bolt Cutters’’ mimics the pages of a Fetch the Bolt Cutters Album Cover teenager’s diary. Nevertheless, what at first feels like an invasive look into Apple’s personal life later urges listeners to re-evaluate their own battles with the patriarchy. From experiencing gender based violence to internalised misogyny, Fetch the Bolt Cutters explores it all.

Melodically, the album breaks free from popular conventions and song structures which help add emotional depth to it. While some tracks let percussion make way for combinations of piano loops and vibraphones, others such as “Heavy Balloon” almost solely feature percussion orchestras of found objects. Apple incorporates spoken word poetry, haunting ululation and imitations of clapping games into her vocals, injecting an experimental edge into it as well.

The combination of unorthodox musical elements and unfiltered songwriting produces a fiery rawness which aptly complements the patriarchal themes covered in the album, making it one worth listening to.

Board Members

Executive Panel

Do self-help books really help?

Photo Credit: Shaiane Prema Baroi

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Sheersho Zaman Editor-in-Chief

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Advisory Panel Anika Saba Masnoon Khair Roohi Huda Seema Nusrat Amin Shehzad M. Arifeen Correction Policy BRACU Express will only accept corrections for any misquotes, misrepresentations, or factual errors for an article within the semester that it is printed.