IN THE CLUB
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Just got into university, and wondering which extra-curricular or co-curricular club to join? Don't worry, we've all been there, and definitely done that. To help you a little with your decisions, let's discuss some renowned clubs at some of the universities in Dhaka. Please note that the clubs mentioned may or may not be the best in their respective universities, but are either unique or interesting.
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DHAKA UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY
There's nothing healthier than an environment where logic and constructive thinking is nurtured and it holds especially true for the University of Dhaka which is believed to be the birthplace of student politics here. Established in 1982, Dhaka University Debating Society is the central debate organisation of the University of Dhaka. Aiming to create a platform for debaters from the different departments of the university, the society now represents the official debating team of DU at national and international levels. With the English and the Bengali wings operating with equal vigour, the organisation is truly inclusive. Besides intra-varsity and inter-varsity debates, it also organises the National Debate Festival. Creating new debaters rather than only promoting the ones already involved is what sets it apart from a lot of other university debate clubs.
NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
Being the first private university of the country, NSU houses 19 active clubs that organise separate events almost every other week. There is one club or another to cater to the extra-curricular interests of most students. Take NSU Photography Club (NSUPC), for example. They organise photography workshops and tours to different parts of Bangladesh and abroad for photography enthusiasts. Intra-NSU Photography Competition and Exhibition is also held every year. But even more renowned is the International Inter University Photography Exhibition (IIUPE), which NSUPC organises year in and year out. It started out as National Inter University Photography Exhibition in 2000, but by 2004 it had become an international event. “Last year, IIUPE was held for the 9th time, and it broke all previous records with 7054 single entries from 832 photographers belonging to 197 universities across the globe,” informed Syed Syfee, Secretary, Public Relations, NSUPC.
BUET-MURCHHONA
If you expect BUET students to be seen only around complex circuits and drones, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that BUET Murchhona, a cultural club, is a very active one full of performing arts enthusiasts. The focus is mostly on music, dance and poetry recitation. Founded in 1997, the club typically hosts inter-university cultural festivals, annual functions and regular celebrations such as Pahela Baishakh, Victory Day etc. Special themed shows are also quite popular among the club activists. For example, they paid a tribute to Manna Dey and ran a show highlighting Bengali movie songs from the '60s to the '80s, on another occasion.
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BRAC UNIVERSITY FILM CLUB
BRAC University Film Club started off with a vision to promote movies with screenings. As it evolved over the years, the club has expanded its activities. “BUFC is actively involved in organising filmmaking workshops conducted by experts in various fields, short-film competitions headed by a celebrity jury panel, idea-exchange sessions with prominent media personalities besides screening and talking about movies,” informed Samiul Mahin from BUFC. In fact, the club helps out enthusiasts of filmmaking with technical knowledge and encourages them to discover the messages in every movie. Moreover, BUFC has its own original short films. The club also works hand-in-hand with First Year Advising Team (FYAT) that assists newcomers in completing various formalities during their early days. All in all, it's an interesting club to be in.
NATURE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE, JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY
Those of you who have visited the JU campus know that the place is marked by greenery and scenic beauty. Hence, it makes perfect sense when a few nature lovers united to find out why the presence of migratory birds and butterflies was decreasing at the campus over the years. Initiated In 2013, the club has grown to be a family of nature enthusiasts who regularly arrange mini picnics or 'Choruibhati' and discuss several pressing environmental matters under the open sky. The Tree Plantation program hosted by the club led to the plantation of around 500 trees including a few species that are extremely susceptible to extinction. The Nature Festival is the flagship program of the club and it also co-organises the Butterfly Fair every year.
ULAB ADVENTURE CLUB
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) is an active member of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program and stresses the importance of co-curricular activities with study tours, recreational events and clubbing alike. ULAB Adventure Club is quite unique. The club provides an opportunity for its members to go on exciting trips all over the country, but in an adventurous manner that demands the absence of comfort or luxury, so that the adventurers learn how to survive in nature without harming it in any way.
All we can say is once you have adapted to your courses, go sign up for a club that interests you and become more actively involved in campus life. Whether you join the aforementioned clubs or find a different club that attracts you more, we suggest that you join in the extracurricular activities.
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