BULLETIN BOARD

BRAC and Georgetown University create platform to discuss faith-inspired social issues

BRAC University's Department of Economics and Social Sciences, in collaboration with Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and World Faiths Development Dialogue organised a daylong workshop on “Secularism and Faith-Inspired Development: Understanding Contestation and Collaboration”  on November 22.
The workshop started with a welcome address by Professor Syed M. Hashemi, Chair, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, BRAC University and an introduction to the collaboration by Professor Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University. Professor Saad Andaleeb, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University chaired the presentations of the day.
The workshop included discussions on “Faith-Inspired Development Practitioners in a Secular State” and “A Secular Development Approach in Practice.”

Scholastica students attend MUN Conference in India

A group of seven students – from class XI and XII – along with a teacher from Scholastica, Senior Section, Uttara attended Vivek High School Model United Nation (VHSMUN) Conference 2014 held in Chandigarh, India from November 17 to 20.
This year's VHSMUN surpassed the level of interaction from the previous years, bringing together more than 1000 high school students from over 15 countries in the world.
Students of Scholastica represented Chile, Iran, Sudan and Liberia on human rights, women's rights, Ebola outbreak, Arab league, G20 Summit etc and performed well. The students also carried out a presentation where they represented Bangladesh.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus appreciates initiative
by Eastern University & Yunus Centre

A MoU was signed between Eastern University (EU) and Yunus Centre (YC) on November 17 at the Yunus Center. Dr. Muhammad Yunus attended the event. Professor Dr. Abdur Rab, the Vice Chancellor of EU and Lamiya Morshed, the Executive Director of YC, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
F.M. Amir Khashru, the General Manager of YC, briefed on the MoU. The Pro Vice Chancellor of EU, Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, mentioned that initiatives must be taken to popularise the idea of social business among the youth of Bangladesh. Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration stated that Eastern University is introducing a short course on social business. Dr. Muhammad Yunus welcomed and appreciated such initiatives taken by EU and wished them every success. As a part of the MoU, EU is launching a 12-week short course on social business from December, 2014.

DIU Chairman made Guest of Honour for USIM Convocation

Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Daffodil International University (DIU) joined the 12th Convocation of University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) as Guest of Honour, invited by the Management of USIM with Queen of Malaysia and Chancellor of USIM Tuanku Aishah Rohani and Crown Prince Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tunku Muhrizz. The convocation was held on November 15-16 at USIM Grand Hall. USIM is the only public university where Islamisation of knowledge is addressed in all its academic programmes.

Lecture on 'China in the Last Thirty Years' at IUB

The School of Business of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organised a lecture on 'China in the Last Thirty Years', on its permanent campus at Bashundhara on November 27. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Managing Editor of the Daily Star, was the speaker of the lecture. He was also the former Chief Technical Advisor of International Poverty Reduction Centre in Beijing, China (IPRCC).  Dr. Ahmed shared his experience and knowledge on China's economy and business practices with the audiences.
The Vice Chancellor of IUB, Professor M. Omar Rahman, and the Dean of School of Business, Professor Dr. Sarwar Uddin Ahmed, also spoke on the occasion. Other Deans from different schools of IUB, senior faculty members and students were present at the programme.

Orientation Programme at Uttara University

Uttara University held an orientation programme for the Fall Semester 2014 freshers enrolled at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). The event was held at the Fashion Design and Technology Conference Hall on November 28.
Professor Dr. M. Azizur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of Uttara University, presided over the orientation programme. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), attended as the Chief Guest. Professor Dr. Eaysmin Ara Lekha, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, was present there as the special guest. Dr. Makbul Hossain, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering, and Professor Dr. Shafiqul Islam, Adviser, Department of Computer Science and Technology were also present as guests.
Chairs of different departments of Uttara University, teachers of the two departments, and the officers and staff were present at the orientation programme.

World Bank awards grant to Centre for Energy Research at UIU

Centre for Energy Research (CER) at United International University (UIU) has been awarded with a research grant of Tk 1 crore and 10 lakh from World Bank to establish a solar PV laboratory through Infracturcture Development Company Limited (IDCOL). This solar PV laboratory will be able to contribute in the development of solar PV technology for Bangladesh. In addition, this will also create opportunity to introduce local technology and equipment.
On November 20, a contract was signed between IDCOL and CER in this regard. The Executive Director and CEO of IDCOL, Mahmud Malik, and the Director of CER, Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, have signed the contract for their organisations. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and the Vice Chancellor of UIU, Professor Rezwan Khan, along with some high official of Power Division and IDCOL.