ULAB's “Skills For Life” campaign ends on a high note

The education we receive in schools, colleges and universities is what helps us find a firm ground beneath our feet and the skills we acquire beyond textbooks are the ones which stay with us for life.
With that in mind, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organised a month-long course entitled “Skills For Life” from August 21 to September 13. This year's campaign for high school students came to its end with a certificate awarding ceremony held at the university's Campus A Auditorium in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on September 20, 2014.

Each year, ULAB organised the “Skills For Life” course for A Level and HSC students, for free. This year 56 students participated in courses that contained three modules: Learn & Grow, Create & Express and Protect & Serve. The curriculum included material that are hardly taught in educational institutions; they were mostly designed to show the students how to find their inner strength, set goals and overcome obstacles in everyday life.
The ceremony started off with a presentation by Juditha Ohlmacher, Advisor, Communications and Student Affairs, who showed the entire journey of this year's course with a slide show. The topics of the classes ranged from basic webpage design and traffic awareness to graphic novels and movie making with cell phones.
The highlight of the event was an inspirational speech by the chief guest, Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star. He praised ULAB for taking a fresh approach with a course as “Skills For Life”. He left a strong message for the participants and audience.

“Use your time in productive ways because it is the best of resources, nurture relationships as it is an intellectual exercise in itself, and make correct use of language and it will have the ability to empower you. You are very fortunate members of this generation, and the fundamental knowledge and value you gather from here will make you effective citizens,” he said to all.

The courses that were undertaken in the program were taught by faculty members of ULAB and members of other renowned institutions, who were present at the ceremony. Professor Brian Shoesmith, Senior Advisor to the Board of Trustees, ULAB, then handed over crests to the course instructors as a token of appreciation. He mentioned in his speech that all the instructors were trained in professional development courses and did a wonderful job of executing the course.

ULAB Vice Chancellor Imran Rahman spoke highly of the participating students and also praised the instructors.
“ULAB is a special university where we believe the students should have different types of skills alongside basic education in their arsenal. The instructors are our stars and I thank all students and parents who supported us in our endeavour.”

Later, he handed over certificates to the participants and with a group photograph taken with the guests and students, the event concluded for refreshments.

“I learned about this course from an article published in SHOUT and thought I should give it a shot. The teachers here actually managed to grab our attention with interaction and an innovative approach. I must say, I have learned a lot,” said Sardar Md. Ifraz, a participant from SFX Green Herald International School.

Similar words were heard from the instructor of the very popular “Choose Your Career” and “Presentation & Public Speaking” classes.

“All the courses were spot on. We do have education, but these skills are definitely useful for a longer time in any person's life,” said G Sumdany Don, noted career counsellor and Chief Inspirational Officer at Don Sumdany Facilitation and Consultancy.

Speaking on the successes and future plans for “Skills For Life”, Nasima Khandoker, Senior Manager, ULAB Communications Office recalled that the introduction of new courses on photography and media were well received, and that ULAB plans to collect positive feedback and make the campaign even bigger as it steps into its fifth year.

ULAB's effort showed that a student should not only engage in studies and extra-curricular activities but also focus on learning what he or she will require in order to do well in life. The organisers are all worthy of praise for such an initiative.

“Skills For Life” by ULAB was supported by Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, Bangladesh Metropolitan Police, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Center for Sustainable Development and The Daily Star.