Shell Lubricants Bangladesh launches university affiliation programme

Shell Lubricants Bangladesh, under a new initiative, will offer 8 esteemed universities of Bangladesh an offer of affiliation. The programme consists of a day long on-campus event to spread awareness on why leading automotive manufacturers such as Ferrari and Ducati recommend Shell engine oils. They will focus on a new internship programme the organidation is offering to fresh graduates.

In the past two years Shell Bangladesh has achieved phenomenal growth as it is one of the major suppliers of engine oils to our ever growing power industry that has just reached the milestone of 10,000 megawatts. Studies suggest that by 2020 the sum of automobiles in Bangladesh will double and as another 1,000 megawatt has been declared by our government hence this is the perfect era for one to start their career in the lubricants industry.

IUB hosts winners of student film competitions

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) gave a warm reception and awarded six students who won the Student Film Competition initiated by JICA and USAID. The Department of Media and Communication organised the "Student Achievements Appreciation Program" on March 9, 2007 at its own campus in Bashundhara. The programme started with screening the videos that received awards.

After watching the award winning videos, Prof. M. Omar Rahman, VC, IUB expressed his delights and congratulated the youngsters for their creativity as they had given big messages in small packages. The Pro-VC of IUB, Prof. Milan Pagon emphasised on celebrating every small achievement earned by the students so that others get inspired. The Dean of SLASS Dr. Mahbub Alam and the Head of the Department of Media and Communication G. M. Shahidul Alam also spoke on the occasion.

Six students of IUB were awarded in two different student film competitions. In the Short Film Festival on Earthquake 2014 initiated by JICA, the short film titled "Emergency Exit" by Md. Deloar Hossain Lavlu and Fakhrul Aman Foysal was recognised as the best film while the film "Know Where to Go" by Tahsin Rafi Ratul and Redwan Ul Ahsan received third best film award. In another competition of USAID's Documentary for Agricultural Value Chain Project 2016, Abdullah Al Rhidoy secured the best film award and Alvi Raihan Simanto got the award for third best film in the category.

Earth Club, NSU organises Environmental School Campaign

The Earth Club of North South University is currently organising one of their signature events, Environmental School Campaign for the 13th time. The Environmental School Campaign initially began with the intention to inform school kids about the environment and about the role they can play in saving it. Over the years, the campaign has evolved but the goal remains the same. 

This year, the club intends to cover 30 schools including madrasas, in and outside Dhaka. The members of NSUEC visit different schools and host various types of interactive competitions among the children.

Winners of those competitions are then selected to represent their respective schools in the finale of the event, competing with the other schools, which will be held at the NSU 

campus after the end of the month-long campaign.

The radio partner for the event is Radio Foorti.

BRACU organises talk on BRAC ONNESHA

On March 16, 2017, BRAC University (BRACU) brought together Maisun Ibn Monowar, Abdulla Hil Kafi and Raihana Shams Islam Antara to share their journey into building BRAC ONNESHA, the first nano-satellite by a Bangladeshi university.

BRACU VC Prof. Syed Saad Andaleeb Ph.D. appreciated the dedication put up by the three, pointing out that on an average they spent around 16 hours every day in the lab at Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan. Stating that Antara had already patented a part of her research, he reiterated the need for putting the focus on value addition in education instead of just attaining certificates in universities.

Prof. Dr AA Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, cited that Bangladesh had already tapped three vital areas of nuclear, space and oceanography and would soon start reaping benefits.

Greeted with flowers, cheers and rapturous applause from an audience mostly comprising students at the BRAC University auditorium, the three narrated how they finished their undergraduate course in the electrical and electronics department before the idea came up to do their higher studies in space technology.

A video was played on the development of the satellite and its deployment and the three explained its components and the way they overcame hurdles, starting with the 14-month timeframe to complete all tasks before the launching.

The talk, "BRAC ONNESHA: Beyond the horizon", ended with the organisers, Robotics Club of BRAC University (ROBU) and BRAC University Electrical & Electronic Club (BUEEC), presenting crests of appreciation to the three.

UIU launches diploma course on Development Studies on China

United International University (UIU) has launched a short diploma course in "Development Studies on China: Government, Policies, Business, Culture" including beginners' Chinese language. Given Bangladesh's steady economic growth and urbanisation, business partnerships with China, especially in the business and knowledge sectors, need to develop skills, share knowledge, create mutual understanding and enhance research capacity.

The launching ceremony was introduced by Dr. Hamidul Huq, Professor of Master in Development Studies and Course Coordinator of the Diploma in Development Studies on China. The two specialised faculty members of this course, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who worked for more than two decades with BRAC, was the Pro-VC of BRACU (2005-2009) and presently working as Adjunct Faculty at IUB, BRACU, and Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Manila, and Dr. Shamsun Nahar Ahmed, who has sixteen years of working experience in the field of development and is currently working as Adjunct Faculty at IUB and BRACU, were present.

The ceremony was closed by the speech of the Head of the Economic Department and Dean of School of Business and Economics, Prof. Abul HMG Azam, Ph.D. 

VELC to host 2nd National Language Fiesta 2017

Viqarunnisa English Language Club (VELC) is back with "VELC 2nd National Language Fiesta 2017" presented by Pran All Time and powered by The Daily Star. The slogan for this year's event is "Language is the roadmap of a culture".

With the usual events like extempore speech, spelling bee, recitation, multimedia presentation, book-based quiz and a few events in Bangla as well, the organisers have also added events such as Clash of Wizards, Let's Beat Sherlock, Turn the Coat and Drama Competition.

The event will take place from March 30 to April 2, 2017, at VNSC main campus. Students are requested to contact their English teachers or Language Club moderators to register. Alternatively, one can also register at VNSC main campus from March 26.