Volume III, Issue VII
30th June, 2019
Summer XlX
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh visits BracU Israr Hasan Journalist Honourable Vice Chancellor of Brac University, Professor Vincent Chang, had a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Robert Chatterton Dickson, and the British Council Deputy Director, Andrew Newton, on the 30th of April. Robert Chatterson Dickson had recently taken up the job of the British High Commissioner in March. The meeting took place at the Brac University premises when Mr. Dickson and Mr. Newton paid a visit to the Mohakhali campus. During the meeting, Professor Vincent once again reaffirmed his goal of setting an international standard for Brac University and its students. He said that BracU will be the first and top choice for institutions in the United Kingdom seeking to have fruitful collaboration here in Bangladesh, for they all share the same vision of creating open minded and driven students. The trio’s meeting lasted for almost two and a half hours where the Vice Chancellor gave an outline of the vision that Brac University holds and how it has advanced the development of tertiary education in Bangladesh since its establishment in the year 2001. An overview was presented to the guests during the BracU VC with the British envoy meeting as to what Brac University is and what its core values mean. Brac University is one of the leading private universities in the country and in this year’s QS Asian University rankings, it sealed its spot as one of the leading universities in Asia- being part of the top 300. On top of that, the university has made strides in ensuring that the best education is being provided to the students who come from remote areas as well, both local and international. Professor Vincent assured the guests that Brac University is willing to join hands and embark on new and effective partnerships since the university is constantly paving new roads to becoming a globally acknowledged academic institution. The meeting also explored new possible and exciting areas of association that would be aided by both the British High Commission and British Council, two institutions that have played a major role in the development and advancement of education here in Bangladesh. All three parties agreed that there were ample opportunities for coordination and collaboration that would be fruitful for the country and its burgeoning educational system at large.
Introducing OBE curriculum
Share the Story
Jahin Kaiissar Journalist Traditional classroom settings are mostly teacher-centered. It is common that the teacher stands front and center, gives lectures, and feeds information to the students while the students passively receive the information and regurgitate it back on tests. The problem with these settings is that students often find themselves struggling to truly digest and understand the information. This is why, starting summer 2019, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) of Brac University has adapted Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum in order to make learning more student-centered with more emphasis given on the outcomes of the courses or lessons taught. On May 9th, the CSE Department held a hands-on faculty workshop that focused on OBE based CSE/CS course outline design and learning activities. More than 60 faculty members participated in the workshop which was conducted by OBE coordinator Dr. Md. Motaharul Islam, Associate Professor, CSE. Starting with an introduction from the Chairperson of the CSE Department, Professor Dr. M. A. Mottalib, and concluding with a speech by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRACU, Professor Dr. Mohammad Tamim, the workshop managed to successfully introduce OBE and establish a common course outline format that reflects a refined instructional system. OBE is a model of education that organizes instruction, assessment, and the curriculum in general around what is essential for all students to be able to achieve successfully at the end of their learning experiences. This is done by framing specific Program Outcomes (PO) which are short term outcomes (at the point of graduation) describing what students are expected to know and be able to perform and clearly stated Course Outcomes (CO) which address the abilities to be attained by students upon the completion of a subject or course. In their course outlines, teachers must make sure that every CO complies with one or more PO of the program. In addition, they must determine assessment measures that will enable students to achieve the desired outcomes. These outcomes help to fulfill the objective of completion of a degree. Furthermore, OBE is conducive in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and Pro VC along with CSE faculty members at qualities needed to tackle challenges beyond the OBE workshop the university setting.
Maisha Farzana Journalist “Share the Story,” a book donation program, was initiated by BRAC University Natural Sciences Club (BUNSC) between 19 and 29 May. Donation boxes were set up at the 15th floor of building 2 and the lobby of building 6 as club members collected books from 9 am to 3 pm. Encouraging people to give away old and unnecessary books, BUNSC plans to contribute the donated books to help grow, diversify and enrich the library at a school by Its Humanity Foundation (IHF) for underprivileged children. Although the program mainly focused on story books and rhymes for grades 1 to 6, books for all ages and all genres were received. Receiving over 60 books on the very first day, the club has been amazed with the response of the students, teachers and staff members. As a token of gratitude, all donors were appreciated and thanked with a coupon for the store Cream & Fudge Bangladesh. With a total of 575 books accumulated over 10 days, a group of BUNSC members will visit the school at Tongi to help distribute the books among the students, scheduled after Eid-ul-Fitr.
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BRIEFS BBS presents Post Budget Dialogue On the 14th of June, BRAC Business School organised an event following the passing of the 2019-2020 national budget. This event was organised at the BRAC Centre Inn from 10:30 am to 12 pm and saw an acclaimed panel of speakers discuss and break down the budget and its implications. The distinguished panel consisted of policy experts Dr. Akbar Ali Khan and Dr.Mirza Azizul Islam, former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and the CEO Of IPDC Finance Ltd, Mr. Mominul Islam.
BracU junior triumphs at ULAB Cultural Competition The English and Humanities Department of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) held a two-day Inter-University Conference and Cultural Competition between 18th and 19th April, 2019. Seventeen universities from all over Bangladesh participated in the competition. Among various applicants, 29 students of different universities were selected to present their academic papers. The two judges, who were responsible for evaluating the students’ papers and presentations, were Dr.Chidananda Bhattacharya, Head of Rabindra Bharati University of India, Kolkata and Professor Abdus Selim, Chairperson of the Department of Language-Literature in Central University, Dhaka. Mairuna Farhin, ( Junior, Department of English and Humanities) was awarded the first runner-up position for the best presentation and the academic award for her unique and thought provoking topic in the competition.
BUDC creating strides in the circuit BRAC University Debating Club (BUDC) has recently made major strides in arranging and creating a healthier and more accessible debating circuit. KaziAkib Hossain (Sophomore, LLB) served as the equity officer for the Bangla debate tournament, CSDS National Debate Carnival 2019 held on May 1st in Chittagong. On the other hand, a major bilingual tournament, “VDC Contentions 2019 – The Emergence,” arranged by Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, saw Nayara Noor (Freshman, MNS) serve as the adjcore and Aliya Fairuz (Sophomore, BBS) broke as an adjudicator. Nishat Tasnim ( Junior, BBS),an alumnus of the prestigious institution, served as the Commercial Executive for the tournament being part of the organising body.
30th June, 2019
CAMPUS NEWS
BracU faculty member receives Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Award Hiya Islam Journalist
The Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Award ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on the 10th of April. The grant is awarded to academicians and researchers for their contribution in research. Ms. Jebunnessa Chowdhury, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS), Brac University, was awarded the fellowship by the honourable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. The Prime Minister also presented post-doctoral students and researchers with cheques of grants for special research. Fellowships worth BDT17.68 crore have been provided in the current fiscal year Nominees of the fellowship with PM Sheikh Hasina – Source: Dhaka Tribune as stated by the honourable Prime Minister. The scholarship will be sanctioning four years of the ongoing project. However, it will be renewed yearly based on progress reports. The project focuses on the development of new strains of flowers namely, Chrysanthemum and Gerbera. These non-native flowers are being imported from India currently. The goal is to produce breeds that will be able to grow in Bangladesh soils. This means the new plants will have to endure native weather, soil type and still thrive. To achieve this, researchers and scientists will be highly dependent on the technique of tissue culture micro-propagation. New strains are being discovered through the use of gamma radiation. This method of artificially inducing mutation requires a huge sample size. So far, nine mutants for Chrysanthemum have been found, a discovery that has been possible by the joint aid from Bangladesh Atomic Energy Research Established located in Savar, Dhaka. However, there are still physiological and molecular assessments to be carried out thoroughly before official release. As for Gerbera plants, the work is still underway. The project has elapsed approximately one and a half years and the team is very hopeful for future successes. At the end of term, the completion of the project will open new doors for farmers countrywide whilst making these beautiful flowers even more affordable.
Get, Set, Tech! Farhin Husain Journalist The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch of Brac University will be arranging its first ever intra university flagship event, TournaTech 2019, which is scheduled to take place on July 18, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Mohakhali campus of BracU. The daylong event will have several segments including a project showcasing competition, a poster presentation, and a problem-based idea competition. The event is open to all the students of Brac University and anyone can participate in teams of 4. Students studying Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) or Electronic and Communication Engineering (ECE) have been highly encouraged to participate in any category they wish as this event will enable them to explore different possibilities in the field of engineering and at the same time, help them enrich their portfolio or CV. As IEEE is an international organization, participation in such an event can highly boost up the resume and give exposure to an individual. Not to mention that the winners get an amazing prize money of up to Tk 6000. Participants will get to work on research topics, with hands on experience. The challenges and problems for the competition, will be set by faculty members from the CSE and EEE department, designed to test the knowledge of the students and help them learn to solve real life problems using engineering concepts. Samiha Haque ( Junior, CSE), the Vice Chair of the IEEE BracU Student Branch, has expressed her high expectations regarding the success of the event. “It is our responsibility as executive body members to make this event not only successful but also something that people would look forward to.” This may be the first time for this event, but there are plans to expand it into an inter university competition in the near future. Registrations for the tournament will be going on until the 7th of July, at the IEEE room located at the top floor of Building 5. Students interested to participate are to check the IEEE BRACU Student Branch Facebook page or the Tournatech 2019 event page for further information.
30th June, 2019
OPINION & ACADEMICS Let’s talk about it..
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By Syeda Tasnim Islam Journalist
With the world becoming more and more digital, the one burning issue has been whether the digital space is a safe place for the younger generation. As much as we might want to shield the youth from the dark side of social media, it is about time we admit that, we cannot. That is, not unless we address the issue at large. Recently, the Bangladeshi Facebook scene was taken by storm as more and more young women came forward to expose their perpetrators. These women were the victims of sexual harassment, blackmailing, and cyber bullying. The perpetrators in question were also mostly young, teenage boys who were accused of spreading and sharing intimate pictures of the women, amongst themselves and others. As jarring as the whole situation is, and how brave the victims are for coming forward, the root of this entire mess is at how we as a society treat the topic of sex and sexuality. Sex education is treated as a taboo, and as a result an important conversation is entirely avoided. We grow up, and make our transition into adulthood without proper knowledge on what a healthy relationship should look like, platonic or otherwise. The red flags go unnoticed and it leads especially to the young and vulnerable falling victims to toxic behavioral patterns. Our society has, in many ways, even normalised toxic masculinity and trivialised the importance of accountability in young men (boys will be boys). Girls on the other hand, are expected to be submissive and “pure.” It is our responsibility as newly adults to not only educate ourselves but also to be there for the younger generation. Sex education being provided in academic institutions would be tremendously helpful, but at this point it is admittedly a utopian dream. Therefore, it is our responsibility to talk about consent, rape culture, bodily autonomy and safe sex as openly as we can. Often times, victims of sexual assault will not be able to even seek help because they cannot talk to their families or a reliable adult. This enables the perpetrators to further take advantage of the helplessness of the situation, and alienate the victims even more. Awareness is key in helping prevent such ordeals. Another helpful tip is to know where to seek help. There are several safe spaces on Facebook where one can have open discussions, (anonymously too if preferred). These groups include Healthy Minds (Mental Health Awareness Bangladesh), Sex Education, Women of Bangladesh, and Never Again (A safe space for sexual assault survivors). Furthermore, for legal help in cases of cybercrimes and cyber bullying, complaints can be filed to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), by calling at +880-29611111 or by emailing at btrc@btrc.gov.bd.
Wear your badge! Sagarika Shahriar Journalist How many of us have regularly used a screenshot of our digital identity card to enter the university premises? I suppose we have all been there. However, for the purpose of security and proper identification, BracU has recently eliminated the use of the digital identity software, effective from May 29. Instead, the university authority is encouraging students to hang their physical ID cards around their necks for it is considered a best practice and symbolises basic decency for any institution. This transformation might seem like an issue because many students have lost the hard copy version of their ID card or have outdated ones, and as such, their next course of action is to renew it immediately from the Security Office on the 7th floor of UB06. But perhaps, it would be wiser to view this transition with empathy since it is simply impossible for the security and monitoring team to differentiate between a student and an intruder in the absence of a visible ID card inside the university. So, wear your badge, wear it with pride, but also make sure to use a better photo than your profile picture!
Nothing is right or wrong Fabiha Priyoti Journalist On April 23rd, a motivation session was organized by the Centre for Emotional Intelligence and Innovation at Brac University’s Mohakhali campus where the speaker was Brandi Veil, an international speaker of concepts on securing value and community-based systems. According to Veil, “there is nothing right or wrong in the world, just experiences to be a better person.” In her speech, she mentioned how pain and suffering help one to awaken one’s true self and encouraged writing about the adversities faced in life, for this procedure not only helps to cope with the hardships, but also allows the opportunity to vent in an effective manner. She further advised the use of meditation, Vincent Chang delivering his own motivation speech including prayers, as a means of pushing regrets into oblivion via a change in hormones, molding thoughts and a pint of optimism. Additionally, emotional intelligence acquired from meditation provides a deeper comprehension of personal requirements and enhances instinct. Stating her own belief, Veil said that one’s individualistic acts are embedded on succeeding generations’ DNA before being reflected in different ages and as such she urged adapting instead of reacting. Finally, she recommended starting every day with a new beginning of thoughts, to have an empathetic attitude and to invest in self-discovery. Brac University’s Vice Chancellor, Vincent Chang was also present in the session and shared his own views on the subject. He said a journey is worthwhile if it takes one out of their comfort zone. Chang used the idea of a recently verified phenomenon called “quantum entanglement” to imply that the future and past are more connected than anticipated. Therefore, our actions today will be reflected upon its outcomes in the future. Perhaps this implication conveyed a message to motivate oneself to grow as a person. He concluded the session by commemorating his professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who quoted that art is the best science.
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30th June, 2019
SPECIAL FEATURE
Cricket-the ca Tawsif Alvee, Sadman Hasan and Ishan Mostafa Journalists ICC Cricket World Cup, being the biggest event in cricket and presumably the second largest in the history of sports (right behind Fifa World Cup) is underway in England this year. While our eleven beloved Tigers will be battling it out on the field, the 140 million people back in this cricket crazy nation will be roaring, praying and chanting “Khelbe Tiger, Jitbe Tiger!” With every six hit or a wicket taken, rest assured that the whole country will be celebrating and with every loss, there will be tears.
Bangladesh Cricket Team in 2019 Long gone are those days when Bangladesh team would be labelled as a “minnow” in an ICC tournament. The world heard the Tigers roar when Bangladesh knocked India out in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh even went on to beat South Africa in the next round of the tournament who was then ranked number one in the ODI ranking table. Despite having immense potential, inconsistency pegged the team for a long period of time. This is why beating any top-ranked team was regarded as a “fluke” by many cricket pundits. Cricket World Cup in 2011 was another heart-breaking affair for Bangladesh as they were edged out by West Indies on a better run rate just in the group stage. Bangladesh would have to wait another four years before they could register one of the greatest wins ever in their cricketing history - a win which will see them through to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time ever. This was in 2015 when Rubel Hossain clattered the stumps of Jimmy Anderson by york-ing him with a reverse-swinging delivery. Bangladesh made history that day. The win sent a statement to the world that the Tigers are not to be toyed with. It gave Bangladesh the impetus they needed so desperately to perform well on a consistent level. With possibly their best collection of players in years, Bangladesh have gone to England with high hopes. There is a belief among the players that stretches as far as the cup in hand, which stems from their strong performances since the 2015 World Cup. Bangladesh has secured wins over Pakistan, India, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Although most of those wins came in home conditions, away performances have also started improving gradually of late. Pushing India down to the last ball of the Asia Cup and Nidahas Trophy finals, making Semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy in England, and winning the first ever multi-national tournament in Ireland this year - these are testaments to an ever-improving cricket team. If today Bangladesh does well in foreign conditions and makes it to the top four, a lot will depend on the fabfive - Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiq, MashrafeamdRiyad - who have been serving Bangladesh cricket for well over a decade now. Since the format of this world cup is round-robin, the room for error in a bid to qualify is also very small. Bangladesh has a wonderful mixture of both experienced players and young players in their squad this time. In Tamim and Soumya, they have two solid stroke-makers who have the ability to give the team the solid base upon which the vast experienced middle order comprising of Shakib, Mushfiq and Riyad can capitalize on well. The bowling order comprising of the Fizz, Rubel, Saif and Captain Mash have been around the international circuit long enough to know their roles in the team. The pace bowlers will definitely have to shoulder the bigger portions of their responsibilities considering the seam-friendly nature of English condition. This world cup will be the last world cup appearance for captainMashrafeMortaza. Being a veteran of the game, his experience to marshalling his troops as the inspirational leader of this team will be the X-factor to Bangladesh’s success in this world cup. However, there are a few things that Bangladesh must be wary of, going forward in this world cup. In the recent past, Bangladesh have failed to pull off some close finishes against bigger teams. In a tournament as big as the world cup, such let-ups in crunch moments can prove to be very costly. Bangladesh should definitely look to keep their cool during defining moments of the game. Also, Bangladesh have shown the tendency to become highly susceptible after a big loss, or a string of losses which can dent the team’s morale in terms of trusting their own game plan. If the players can keep their coolness during critical phases of the game and execute their plans with their full potential, we can expect Bangladesh to achieve new heights in this World Cup.
30th June, 2019
SPECIAL FEATURE
all of the nation ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 As soon as the World Cup commenced on May 30th of 2019, many had predicted that most matches would be high-scoring to the tune of around 300-400 runs per innings. The hosts, England, quite rightly played in that fashion to post a target of 312 runs to the South Africans and stormed to a 104 run victory in the World Cup opener. England has been the benchmark and the measuring stick of this World Cup. Starting as favorites, the team led by the Irish born cricketer Eoin Morgan has posted a total of over 300 in each of the three World Cup matches they participated in and a record seventh successive 300 plus total in ODIs, thus becoming the team to beat. The first few matches of the World Cup did not live up to the hype. That was until, Bangladesh played their opener as they took on South Africa. Bangladesh being put into bat posted a total of 330 with the help of their most experienced duo of Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim and some big hitting at the death by Mahmudullah. A spin dependent Bangladesh bowling attack managed to restrict South Africa to 307 runs and clinch a 24 runs’ victory in what proved to be the first of many thrillers in this edition of the World Cup. This victory gained recognition from all over as the team was praised by the media and the journalists for pulling off a great effort. Sadly, it did not last long as their second and third encounters against New Zealand and England fell short of victory, and their fourth match against Srilanka washed out due to the rain. The initial phase of this World Cup also saw Pakistan off what can only be described as “a Pakistan” with two matches of very different dynamics. Their first match saw them getting bowled out for 105 against the West Indies which they ended up sorely losing. With the Pakistan supporters and the media all over the team, they pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by defeating England. It is safe to say that the Pakistan Cricket team is more unpredictable than that final season of Game of Thrones. Teams like India, New Zealand and Australia had amazing entries to the tournament, with India winning their first two encounters, New Zealand winning all of their first three and Australia clinching victories in three of their first four matches, with the one loss coming against India. Whereas teams like South Africa, Srilanka, and Afghanistan has had a contrasting start with Afghanistan and South Africa losing all of their first three matches and Srilanka looking very average compared to their teams in the past. The weather in England is also playing a vital role in this World Cup. For the first time in World Cup history, three matches have been washed out due to rain, generating a cry of frustration from the fans all over the world as the weather forecast continues to look uncertain. This world cup as it is, promises to bring more exciting matches for the rest of the tournament with England, India and Australia looking like the likely contenders to advance to the knockout stages with the rest fighting for the final spot of the knockout rounds. As for the Tigers, their pace bowling has been a huge drawback and to do well, they must focus on improving their bowling unit, otherwise this will be a world cup to forget.
Mohammad Amir: The return of the “fallen” gladiator? It was in 1992. Imran Khan told the world that Inzamam-ul-Haq will be “the next big thing” Pakistan has to offer, and he was right. Not only Inzi’s 37-ball 60 was a feisty innings, it also catapulted Pakistan into the finals, which Pakistan eventually won. Fast forward to 2009. Mohammad Amir, a seventeen year old fast bowler, was selected for the squad for the T20 World Cup being held in England. In the very first over of his career, Amir gave us a glimpse of what he is capable of, as he dismissed Ravi Bopara by the very second ball. He carried this form all throughout the tournament, having to take a wicket in his very first spell of the 6 out of 7 matches he played, including the final. His stint in the Pakistan side was quite pivotal, as Pakistan went on to win the T20 World Cup. With the likes of Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif as the quickies by his side, Amir made his own distinction of being the “next Wasim Akram” for Pakistan. In the next one year to come by, Amir proved his worth and became the opening bowler for Pakistan in all formats of the game. He has the special ability to bowl skiddy short balls, often confusing the batsmen to understand the delivery. In the summer of 2010, Amir reached the pinnacle of his career as he took 19 wickets in an away series against England, being awarded the man of the match in one of the games. He became a regular in the Pakistan side and one of the best in the world. However, fate had different plans for Amir. In a spot-fixing controversy in the same series, Amir was barred from playing cricket for the next five years, as he was plead guilty in the incident. In effect, he lost the opportunity to play the next two World Cups. After a five year hiatus, he made a comeback to the side, even though his form was nowhere near what it was five years earlier. This changed during the 2017 Champions Trophy in England, which Pakistan won against India and Amir played a crucial role in the campaign, as he toppled down the top order of the Indian batting lineup. Now, the question arises, is Amir worth the hype? Is he really important for the Pakistan team? Well, that is a rhetorical question. Given the statistics, one thing a lot of people are certain about is that Amir’s records in England are almost unparalleled, which is the very reason why Pakistan Cricket Board sent him to England to join the squad at the very last moment. It is too early to decide or justify if Amir’s inclusion in the squad is necessary, but the board is willing to put their faith in him, and if he gets back to his prime form as he had earlier, he might be the game changer in this World Cup.
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30th June, 2019
OFF CAMPUS & Lila – Tales of sarees
AfiaYeasmin Journalist LatikaTupur ( Junior, LLB Department) the proud owner and founder of the online enterprise ‘LiLa-Tales of sarees ’, has a vision in mind different from the existing businesses. Her online page on Facebook is focused on offering handloom spun, comfortable yet trendy cotton sarees which have traces of tradition screaming from them. Her fondness of sarees dates back to her childhood when her father would gift her colourful sarees on special occasions and soon after a little girl would run around the house draped in a new saree to flaunt its beauty wrapped around her body. Her liveliness and love for sarees lead her to wear them wherever possible. Being a scout, Tupur had opportunities to work with various NGOs and INGOs from where she assimilated knowledge of social businesses and instilled several aspects of her comprehension on her own initiative. LiLa is created to apprise stories of women from different corners of the country, belonging to various race, beliefs, cultures and even gender through our country’s opulent traditional sarees. This page specializes on empowering not just women but the transgender community which till this day, lacks recognition and acceptance despite the official recognition signed by the government in 2013. Her recent project to showcase transgender models wearing Lila sarees for was a mark of a powerful movement towards diversity. In a drive to empower women and children, we often forget about the third gender’s existence in our country. Having an unconventional mindset; Tupur was always determined to bring a change to the community, which is also interlinked to her decision to study Law as her undergraduate education. In her words, “If you want to bend the law, you must be well educated about it,” Latika Tupur has great aspirations about her business which has already started being acknowledged by international customers. Each day she works harder to acquire unique saree pieces which display a sense of modernity and heritage, representing our country at its very best.
Nuzhat Shama for “The Grove” Zaria Amreen Journalist The Grove Bistro is one of your newest getaways to exquisite Pan Pacific cuisine at the heart of Gulshan-2. Besides the splendid array of savory meals, the place offers you an exotic and soulsoothing ambience, a cozy environment with soft lights and wooden furnishing. A lot has gone into the designing of this bistro and behind the team, who made it possible for this place to come alive, is our talented NuzhatShama from the Architecture department. Initially, Shama started an internship as a UX designer at Inked Studios with the focus on Interior Design in fall 2018. While discussions were being made about potential future projects, she instinctively leaned towards the Grove’s project. After numerous site visits at the bare bone structure, the team from Inked Studios finally started off with the initial concept and moved on to concept developments and story building along with researching about different cultures and cuisines. “We started off with designing doors and windows, which proceeded to chairs, tables, cladding, decor, color palettes, furniture layouts, AC layouts, mood boards. We opted for 3D models and thousands of sketches to visualize our ideas. It wouldn’t be a hyperbole to say Inked is obsessed with sketching.” While talking about her experience of working with this project, Nuzhat shared how her internship program has shaped her with new ideas and about her exposure to Human-Centric design, a stand-alone concept in the creative fields. “Working with Inked is an absolute blessing. I mean, where do I start? My brilliant colleagues? The new concepts that I learn every day I work here or the fun UX workshops? As an Architecture student, schedule flexibility is a valuable blessing for me. The most exciting aspects of my work, without a doubt, is when I get to apply the theories and practices that I’ve learned in my studio at BRAC. I have learned so much about the workplace and about Interior and Human Centric design interning here and I still do every day.” When asked about the latest updates on her work and the bistro, Shama said: “We’ve opened our doors and welcome you to find a part of yourself in the warmth of our lights. As for me, I’m finishing up a few acrylic paintings for the place as we speak.”
Peace Sadrina Afrin Mowna Sophomore, MNS Department As she sat in front of her fourth counsellor in three months, she realized they all blabber the same things. The same advice, coping mechanism, same way of comforting and everything else. She walked out of the room and promised herself to never return. But the world was closing in on her now. Who should she talk to when the entire planet seems to be against her? Where will she find the sense of peace that she has been frantically looking for so long? Lost in thoughts, she walked down the narrow empty streets. No matter how hard she tried, she could not stop thinking of how lucky the street children are. Yes, they are poor, but they are free of responsibilities, expectations and more importantly, free of their own thoughts. They have peace and tranquility. She saw a girl snuggling up to her mother, ready for a nap. “If only I could have that.” She thought, walking towards her home. Her mother bursted her with questions as she entered the house. “Where have you been?” “Why didn’t you pick up my calls?” “You’ve been out for so long!” “I haven’t eaten yet, I was waiting for you” Looking up, she embraced her mother, trying very hard to hide her tears, but failed. “I’m not “unlucky”, rather I’m is the luckiest ever!” she thought. “What happened? Are you okay?” her mother said. “Stop crying, I’m right here, let’s eat!” Smiling through her tears, she realized, everything she was looking for has always been right infront of her.
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30th June, 2019
SPORTS NEWS
Chess Club Iftar for the kids of BRAC School
The Kids of BRAC School having Iftar
Members of the Chess Club sitting with the kids in BRAC School
Safir Zawad Sports Editor On the 27th of May, during the holy month of Ramadan, BRAC University Chess Club (BUChC) organized an iftar for the underprivileged students of BRAC Schools in Karail, Banani. The Chess Club has been working with these students for a long time, as a part of their “BRAC School Chess Project,” in which members of BUChC have been training the students in chess to develop their analytical ability and to help them amalgamate with mainstream society. When asked about the “BRAC School Chess Project,” Nahian Raonak, the President of BUChC said that, “These kids must be taught how to think, not what to think. I have seen very talented kids, and our target is to find the best among them and train them, so that they can achieve something great in the future. I believe that Chess will help them to think differently and positively in different situations.” With this spirit in mind, 15 members of the Chess Club joined with 72 students from the Karail Jamai Bazar, Karail 5no., and Karail 18no. schools. Before the iftar, they spent time with the kids by singing and sharing stories. The event took place in the Karail 5no. and 18no. schools, with Jannati Akter, Hasnur, and Rokeya, the teachers of each of the aforementioned schools present at the event.
Beat The Heat This Summer in 9 ways polyester or denim. Other alternatives to cotton include linen or chiffon.
#3 Loose and light will never bite It is important to dress loosely in summer allowing air to circulate throughout your body. Light colors make a great choice as they are poor absorbers of heat.
#4 Never skip sunscreen It is recommended to use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 when going outdoors. Sunscreens act as a barrier between the skin and the sun and block out harmful UV rays, decreasing risks of skin-related diseases. This must be applied at least half an hour before stepping out. Opt for a product that is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic which will prevent your skin from breaking out.
#5 Invest some time in medical knowledge It is crucial to know the signs and treatment of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat cramps, sunburn and rash.
Hiya Islam Journalist Summer is already here and let’s face it, it’s going to be here for quite a while. As the sun never fails to rise sucking out our souls every day, here are 9 ways you can still keep your cool.
#1 Water is your best-friend Thirsty or not, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Regardless of your physical activeness, never forget to hydrate yourself. The best way to do this is to carry a cute, little bottle wherever you go. But this does not mean copious amounts of caffeinated beverages. These drinks will boost heat production in your body.
#2 Choose cotton over and over again Cotton is one of those fabrics that let your skin breathe, unlike silk, satin,
#6 Know your cooling spots Draping a damp cloth over your wrists or neck will cool you faster that putting it on your face or forehead. The knees, thighs, elbows and feet are where you should be really placing ice packs or cold compresses.
#7 Small meals only Heavy meals are a no-no. Metabolic heat is needed to digest the food. Therefore, small meals throughout the day will balance off the heat released.
#8 Get a hand-held fan It does not matter if it’s battery operated or just a basic hand fan. Keep it portable enough to carry along wherever you go.
#9 Limit exposure to sun From 10am to 4pm, UV rays are the strongest. It is best to stay in during this time. Try to schedule your plans in the morning or evening.
8 | BRACU Express
30th June, 2019
End of an era
ENTERTAINMENT Executive Panel Editor-in-Chief -Subah Shaheen Managing Editor - Roshni Shamim Creative Head - Md Rezwanur Rahman Administrative Director - Saadman Saif Web Media Manager - Tashfia Zaman
Editors News - Faisal Bin Iqbal Opinions and Academics - Rafsan Zia Features - Nishat Tasneem Shahara Off-Campus - Kazi Saad Asif
Avengers Tawsif Alvee Journalist
Sports News - Safir Zawad
Contributors
Spoiler alert. This April witnessed the end of Marvels ‘Infinity Saga’ which concluded the first ever Marvel era. Avengers-End Game, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, kick-starts with Captain Marvel saving Iron Man. They along with Captain America, Nebula, Thor and the rest go off to find Thanos to recover the infinity stones only to discover that he destroyed them, right before Thor decapitates him. This sets the tone for the entire plot where the avengers travel back in time to recover the stones. Over the next 3 hours, fans experienced some very emotionally draining yet satisfying moments such as Thor deeming Captain America worthy of his Hammer, “Avengers Assemble” and Black Widow’s sacrifice for the Soul Stone. Yet the most heart-wrenching of all was Tony Stark’s heroic death. “I am Iron Man” he said, referencing to the iconic ending of the first Iron Man and snapped his fingers as he ushered into darkness. For everything that has transpired, one can only be proud and say “We Love You 3000”.
Graphics Designers - Ashrar Hussain Ibnul Mubin Niloy Md Sizer Ahmed Sajid Hossain Artist - Junaid Iqbal Photographers - Meekail Mughdo Sharar E Noor Web Media - Afra Antara Anjum Maisha Rafa Khan
Our watch has ended Sadman Hasan Journalist
Rawnak Tahnia Tamanna Tasnim Administration - Faiza Khondokar Md Tawsif Ur Rashid
After an eight-year long journey, the world’s greatest television series, Game of Thrones, has concluded. It is the end of a TV show whose influence was felt all around the world and its cultural impact over a generation of people will be reverberated for decades to follow. Game of Thrones has consistently pushed the boundaries for a series. With each passing season, it has achieved new. unparalleled to any other TV shows of its generation. GOT has introduced fans with so many characters and gave them such wonderful storylines that it acquired a massive fan base in no time. Everyone was invested in the arches of every character right from the beginning and the enthralling paths that each character took all through the seasons is what made everyone captivated to the show to the very end. We are going to miss the anticipation for a new seasons, the excitement for new episodes in the morning. We shall never see their like again.
The resolution of Batman prequel Israr Hasan Journalist Along with other major high-profile TV series, we must also bid farewell to one of the most polished and suspenseful live action portrayals of the making and unmaking of the Caped Crusader’s world. “Gotham” is undoubtedly one of the best live action superhero TV series out there. Unlike the so-called DC comics poster boy series like “Arrow” and “Flash” which failed to uphold the shows’ potential, Gotham never ceased to surprise, making us anxiously wait for what is to come. Gotham covers the world of Bruce Wayne before he dons the costume itself. Filled with a stellar cast throughout, each character’s story and depth is strongly built and explored in detail. The prequel explores the vast ecosystem of Bruce’s world forming a tight patchwork of his foes, friends, and frenemies thus interlinking the triggering power-plays and the gangster wars which play throughout the series. In short this is a series firmly built on comic book territory and a perfect end to an era.
Saika Farhin Umma Khadija Alam Warda Asif
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