Imagine – Write Creatively

United International University (UIU) and The Daily Star (TDS) joined hands to launch a year-long project, titled “Imagine – Write Creatively” – an initiative to improve the communication skills of English medium students.

The idea for the project was conceived back in September 2014. On February 26, 2015, a contract was finally signed between UIU and TDS at the Tawfiq Aziz Khan Hall, The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. Professor Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, Vice Chancellor of UIU and Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of TDS, signed the papers on behalf of their respective organisations. Also present at the event were Professor Dr. Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, UIU; Habib Abu Ibrahim, Treasurer, UIU; Abu Sadat Md. Mostansirbillah, Assistant Director (PR), UIU; and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Managing Editor, TDS, among other officials.

“This is the first joint programme between The Daily Star and a university. The initiative to develop interest in creative writing and communication among students is commendable, and I request the teachers and trainers to work together in order to keep that interest on a rise,” said Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Managing Editor of The Daily Star.

The VC of UIU, Professor Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, expressed his views on the collaboration. He said, “This project should facilitate the development of English medium students' learning capacity. I am delighted that The Daily Star and UIU have jointly taken this initiative.”

He also mentioned that UIU provided scholarships worth BDT 10 crore in the last year, has more international programmes than any other private university in the country, and has received multiple research grants from international organisations, especially in the field of renewable energy.

Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, emphasised on the importance of imagination in his speech. He used examples of famous personalities like Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein to spread the message that imagination should primarily be encouraged among students at an early age.

As part of “Imagine – Write Creatively”, over a period of one year, 24 workshops will be conducted, each at a prominent English medium school in Dhaka city. The workshops will provide the students with valuable tips and tools to enhance their creative writing and communication skills.