AMIC at DU

Last week, the secretary general of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Dr. Indrajit Banerjee, visited the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University. Dr. Banerjee spoke to the students of the department about AMIC, which was established in 1971 to "spearhead the development of media and communication expertise in the Asia-Pacific to foster socio-economic progress in the region." AMIC's activities include research and publications, training and capacity-building related to Asian media.

It often organises seminars and conferences around the region. Few people have heard about the organisation in Bangladesh but it could actually be very important for us. Dr. Banerjee talked about the importance of knowledge-sharing, something that is rare in this region but which has become increasingly important in today's fast-paced, globalised and competitive world. AMIC is a unique organisation because of its focus on the Asian context of media and communication. We, the students of mass communication and journalism, study 30-year-old American and European texts which have little relevance to our own media today. Though this learning is necessary as a base for knowledge in the discipline, it is important for educational institutions in our country to become affiliated with organisations like AMIC which will provide us with material and opportunities to work within the Asian context, closer to home, and perhaps, even closer to our hearts.

KSI University of Dhaka

Nuisance on Campus

On my first day at DU, I went with my mother to complete some admission formalities. While we were waiting in front of Janata Bank at TSC, some boys were making rude comments. I didn't care. Suddenly, two of the boys came up to me and asked me my name and which department I was in. They were so arrogant that I was shocked and went to my mother who was standing close by. They rushed towards me in fury, saying that I should know who they are and what they were capable of doing. My mother and some students dealt with the problem. I can hardly get through a day without such problems. It is really shameful for such incidents to occur on a university campus. Can't these people change their behaviour and maintain a congenial atmosphere on campus?

Mohua Department of English University of Dhaka

Too Much to Ask For?

Most classes at Kala Bhaban (Arts Faculty) at Dhaka University are held in the morning hours. Unfortunately, this is also the time when loud political processions with slogans like "Agun jalao" come out. The cacophony ruins our concentration and annoys us to the point of wanting to jump out the window. The teachers can't do anything except laugh cynically or make sarcastic comments. I don't know why the processions can't go out in the afternoons when there are not as many classes being held. My friends, especially the boys, who live in the residential halls complain that they can't attend their classes because they are forced to join these processions. I just want a campus free from chaos during class hours. Is this too much to ask for?

Nahid Kaiser Toma Department of English University of Dhaka

The Aparajeyo Bangla

The Aparajeyo Bangla in front of the Kala Bhaban at Dhaka University represents our war of freedom in 1971. Students of the university are very proud of the monument. But the campus is not restricted to outsiders and vendors and all kinds of people gather near the Aparajeyo Bangla and show disrespect. Even students (actually, I'm not sure whether they are students of the university) sit in front of it and make rude comments. They gossip like people do in parks. They forget that it is not a park but a place of great significance. The authorities should take steps to make the area off limits to outsiders and students should respect the monument for its historical significance.

Sonia Sharmin Department of English University of Dhaka

Photo exhibition at BUET

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Photography Society (BPS) organised a wonderful photography exhibition at Del Café last month. A good number of photographs submitted by students were exhibited at the show. The best photographs will be preserved for the next inter-university photography exhibition. This was BPS's sixth intra-university exhibition. Many students visited the show every day. Photography is a vital medium for expressing people's thoughts and views. This is why BPS organised the event. It was a very popular and worthy venture by the BPS.

Mars Sohel BUET

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