BULLETIN BOARD

ULAB launches FactWatch

ULAB launched the official website of FactWatch, a fact-checking initiative led by Prof. Sumon Rahman from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), supported by the American Center Dhaka on May 5, 2018 at ULAB's auditorium in Dhanmondi. The event was hosted by the Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ), ULAB. Zafar Sobhan, Editor, Dhaka Tribune, attended the program as the chief guest while Julie Nickles, Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy Dhaka was present as the guest of honour.

The welcome speech was delivered by Prof. Imran Rahman, Special Advisor, BoT, ULAB, who emphasized on the event's significance by sharing there are only 4-5 university-based fact-checking websites worldwide and FactWatch is now one of them.

Following Prof. Rahman's speech, a short video on FactWatch and its activities was shown. This was followed by a speech from Julie Nickles. She urged both journalists and students in Bangladesh to enhance their fact-checking ability and "play a crucial role in fact-checking for the upcoming election".

 Zafar Sobhan spoke of the advantages of having a fact-checking website in contemporary times. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof H. M. Jahirul Haque, where he stated that ULAB's relationship with the US Embassy and the American Center was closer than ever.

FactWatch (fact-watch.org) is a fact-checking website run by ULAB that is focused on deciphering fraudulent statements and disinformation in Bangladesh's socio-political environment.

BRACU organises Art & Photography exhibition

A two-day intra-university art and photography exhibition was organised by the BRAC University (BRACU) Art & Photography Society at their campus auditorium in Mohakhali on June 3, 2018.

Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, founder and director, BRAC Institute of Languages, inaugurated the exhibition, themed "Feere Jao Oitijhjhe" (return to traditions).

Some 300 exhibits of around 150 students were selected by the Art & Photography society from submissions collected over the course of one month. The art comprised of mediums including water-colour, oil-paint and pastel colour paintings and sketches. The photos took on themes of portrait, nature, street, lifestyle etc.

The auditorium was adorned with a wooden rice pounder at the centre and origami birds hung from the ceiling while a straw hut, complete with windows and a kerosene lamp, served as a photo booth.

The society also introduced its new logo at the event.

IUB come first among Asian teams in the University Rover Challenge 2018

"Team Attendant" from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) secured first position among Asian teams in the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2018 held at Utah, USA. In 2017, Team Attendant came second in Asia in URC.

URC is the world's most premier robotics competition for university students organised by the Mars Society, sponsored by Protocase and Microsoft, held annually in the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), Utah.

Team Attendant placed 10th worldwide in URC 2017, and this year the team secured 6th position globally and first in Asia after competing with 36 teams from Universities all around the world. Other Bangladeshi participating universities included AIUB, BRAC, BUET, CUET, DIU, IUT, KUET, AUST, NSU, Leading University Sylhet, and Rajshahi University.

PCz Rover Team from the Czestochowa University of Technology came first, MRDT from Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA secured second position and Kielce University of Technology's Team IMPULS clinched third position in this global competition.

Orientation Program Summer 2018 held at UIU

United International University (UIU) hosted the orientation programme for the Summer 2018 trimester at the UIU Auditorium. Newly admitted students in the School of Business & Economics and School of Science and Engineering participated during the session.

Prof. Dr. Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, VC, UIU, presided over the ceremony while Prof. Dr. Hasnan Ahmed, Pro-VC, UIU; Prof. Dr. Abul Hasnat Md. Golam Azam, Dean, School of Business & Economics, UIU; Prof. Dr. Abul Kashem Mia, Dean, School of Science & Engineering, UIU; Dr. Md. Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, Head, EEE, UIU; Dr. Salekul Islam, Head, CSE; Prof. A.S.M.Salahuddin, Registrar, UIU; Manjurul Haque Khan, Director, Students Affairs, UIU, spoke during the programme. Treasurer, Heads of different departments, teachers, guardians, students and the invited guests were present during the ceremony.

Social Welfare Club of SEU shares Eid happiness with orphans

Social Welfare Club of Southeast University (SEU) organised a programme for distributing eid clothing amongst underprivileged children as a part of their social responsibility. The programme was organised at the seminar hall of SEU main building in Banani on June 11, 2018. Prof. Dr. A N M Meshquat Uddin, VC, SEU; Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kazi Fakhruddin Ahmed, Registrar, SEU; and Wahid Hossain Siddiquey, Chief Coordinator, BoT, distributed clothes amongst the underprivileged children. Dr. Rezbin Nahar, Director, BBA Program, A S Nooruddin Ahmed, Moderator, Social Welfare Club and all member of Social Welfare Club were present during the programme.