A regional conference on American Studies begins at the conference room of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in the port city at 10.00am today.

The Bangladesh Association of American Studies in cooperation with the American Centre of the US Embassy has organised the conference.

Pro-Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Prof. M Shamsuddin will attend the inaugural session as chief guest while Karl Fritz, director of the American Centre, will be present as special guest.

American Studies scholars from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal will also take part in the conference.

At the two-day conference, papers will be presented on the following topics: 'The American Dream: Illusion and Reality', 'The Role of Civil Society in the US and Bangladesh and 'The Sacred and the Secular in the USA.