Volume V, Issue IV
March, 2021
Spring XXI
Brac University: Now a member of the ACU Community Rusafa Hussain Journalist Brac University has officially joined the Association of Commonwealth Universities, ACU, comprising more than 500 member universities. This global community of universities operates under the same goal of paving the road to a better world through education. Professor Vincent Chang, President and Vice Chancellor of Brac University, has been welcomed to ACU’s South Asia Regional Committee by Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General of ACU. On having been invited to serve on the committee, Professor Chang said, “I am honored to have been asked to make a strategic contribution to the ACU on behalf of one of the most important economic regions in the world.” This opportunity will enable BracU in addressing, planning, and strategically resolving high priority issues. The ACU speaks on behalf of its members at various international forums, including the Commonwealth ministerial meetings and the United Nations. The ACU will also aid BracU to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, this partnership sets in motion new projects and initiatives that will facilitate international collaboration on various challenges such as climate change, access/inclusion of education, and supporting research. This membership will additionally lead to significant advantages enjoyed by students and faculty alike, such as conference grants, participation at themed ambassadors’ summits, and grants fellowships in member countries. Staff will be able partake in thematic networks and communities.
Brac University now a member of the ACU Community
Preparation of Vaccinations for BRACU students Deera Mahasin Journalist BRAC University students have recently received an email where they were asked to fill out a questionnaire for necessary arrangements of COVID-19 vaccines. According to the email, the Government has directed the BracU authority to send student data, confidentially to the Health Ministry so that arrangements can be made for all domestic students to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. It is to be noted that the questionnaire was only applicable to domestic students. It was further mentioned in the email that there will be some different arrangements for the foreign students. This vaccination questionnaire can be seen as the beginning of the preparation that is to be taken for re-opening the campuses in May, as per UGC’s instructions. Moreover, The email for vaccination also strictly emphasised on providing the student NID number and instructed the students without NID to apply for it immediately. A major part of the questionnaire asked for the detailed present and permanent address of the students. So, it is assumed that the COVID-19 vaccines might be distributed district-wise for the convenience and outreach of all the students.
BracU students win Blockchain Olympiad Priyong Sabastini Journalist Organised by a Professor of Brac University, Mohammad Kaykobad, the Blockchain Olympiad Bangladesh is a platform for students from all over the country to solve real-world issues using remote applications with the help of blockchain technology. The olympiad has a total of six themes, where one winning team is selected from each category. This year, the winners of the E-governance theme consisted of fellow BracU students Naweed Kabir ( Junior, CSE) and Tahsinur Rahman Rafsan ( Junior, CSE). In the competition, the contestants have a month to learn how to create their system. Afterwards, they have to describe their project in front of a panel of esteemed judges. Our winners chose to tackle the difficulty in registering for businesses due to tedious procedures. Their solution was “DigiDesk”, which would allow them to reduce any redundancy in the process by removing all the extra steps that business owners and government officials would normally take, thus expediting the application process. Although the contestants did not face any major challenges per se, they stated that they had concerns given that blockchain is still relatively new technology. However, the betatesting phases prior to the main audience helped make their work more structured and less abstract. “The experience was really overwhelming, but the satisfaction when you see the biggest minds of Bangladesh agree to our idea is indescribable. So yes, I had a great time!” says Naweed Kabir, one of the winners. In winning the national round, our contestants have qualified for the International Blockchain Olympiad. Rafsan adds, “We hope to present our idea to the world and get acknowledged. Getting to the top is our first priority.” Their participation will set the stage, not only for BracU students but also Bangladeshi students, for a future with wider possibilities.
Naweed Kabir (extreme left) and Tahsinur Rahman Rafsan (extreme right)
2 | BRACU Express
BRIEFS The Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship 2021
Adil Ahnaf Jawaril Munshad Abedin (Senior, CSE), former Vice-President of IEEE Computer Society of BRAC University Student Branch Chapter, has been awarded the Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship. This is a prestigious scholarship offered to only selected students based on their academic results, IEEE student chapter activities and their willingness to work as a student ambassador for the IEEE Computer Society, USA. The evaluation criteria of the scholarship include - academics (30%), contribution to the IEEE branch and chapter (30%), co-curricular activities (10% ), recommendation letters (20%) and student ambassador visions (10% ).
Webinar on job market transformation
Adiba Jahan Payel Brac University conducted a webinar titled “Preparing the Youth for a Transforming Job Market” on February 9th with a great number of human resource personnel from reputed companies and organisations. The panel of the session focused on topics such as economic transformation, fundamental skills, universities’ impacts, and the changes we might see in 2021 due to the pandemic. The session provided valuable insights on competitive job sectors, the demand for productive skills, and how to attain the necessary tools and resources that are required for the task.
March, 2021
RqhvÎv’50 TechFest: an establishment for the modern evolution Nabiha Tahsin Nuha Journalist The Robotics Club of Brac University (ROBU) has exhibited the potential skills of students, alongside its celebration of the golden jubilee of independence through their online event, “RqhvÎv’50-TechFest”. The event, which commenced from March 18th till March 23rd, aimed to portray and discuss extraordinary ideas regarding technology, and to enhance students’ skills for the betterment of the country. There were three segments included in RqhvÎv’50: idea movement, code platoon and an analytical olympiad, coordinated with immense support from Professor Dr. Mohammad Kaykobad. School and college students, as well as university students took part in the organised segments. ROBU had also arranged a grand opening in the presence of the honorable Deputy Minister of Education, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury. “Our event focused on bringing out the best ideas and skills of the students, alongside bringing the nation (together) in one
RqhvÎv ’50 TechFest- a mission to hunt for hidden talents
single platform,” shared Md Sadman Islam Alif (Senior, EEE), the Director of Event Management at ROBU. ROBU plans to take similar initiatives in
future and hopes for greater responses to ensure a better platform in the field of technology.
Women’s Day celebration by BUCSC Tahreema Rahman Zariyat Umma Maimuna Alam Journalists
Linguistics seminar series: the second part
Neelmoni Lata Shankho The second lecture of the ‘Linguistics Seminar Series at ENH’ was organised by the Department of English and Humanities on February 17th. The lecture titled “The phonetics and phonology of four-way stops in Indic languages: A general overview”, was delivered by Dr. Md. Jahurul Islam, a professor at the Department of Linguistics, University of British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Islam demonstrated Indic languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali, Gujerati, Punjabi and Sinhalese to have phonemes that follow the adjusted framework of the four-way-stops. Linguists, researchers, teachers and students from Bangladesh and abroad had attended the session.
A session with the Wonder Women
BRAC University Community Service Club (BUCSC) organised a live session titled “Wonder Women’’ on March 8th, to celebrate the International Women’s Day. “The event was about giving exposure to the women of Brac University, who are successful both in their respective fields of work and academics,” spoke Moumita Mallick ( Junior, ESS), Co-head of Events and Marketing department of BUCSC. The guests were chosen from different departments coming from various fields of work to showcase the diversity of successful women in BracU. This list included - Aysha
Zaheen ( Junior, ESS), Zarin Tasnim Rafa ( Junior, MNS), Masuda Khan ( Junior, ENH), Samiha Tahsin (Senior, CSE) and Sofia Safrina (Sophomore, CSE), having Weney Hasan Shammo ( Junior, CSE) as the event host. The speakers received immense support and acknowledgment from all the viewers of the event. Though setting up the event came with its own set of challenges, according to Moumita, the session was notable in highlighting the female students of BracU who are at the forefront, advocating the true essence of Women’s Day.
BRACU Express | 3
March, 2021
OPINIONS & ACADEMICS Importance of emotional intelligence for students
Spring 2021: The difficulty in striking a balance
Shihab Sharar Journalist
Imrul Chowdhury Journalist
Making the best of BUx Photo Credit: Shaiane Prema Baroi
EQ matters just as much as IQ
Do our emotions control us? Or do we control our emotions? Emotional Intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ), helps to manage human emotions effectively and maintain proper relationships with everyone or everything we engage in, even inside our class as a student. According to the World Economic Forum, EQ is among the top 10 skills required for the future workforce. When it comes to success and happiness in life, EQ matters just as much as IQ. Emotional Intelligence consists of four factors: self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, and building effective relations. A student with a high EQ can actually perform well in difficult circumstances throughout their life as they know how to deal better with emotions and connect to those around them with empathy. Students with a good EQ are optimistic and are always ready to accept the changes they encounter in daily life. A recent study found that students with high EQ excel in life more than students with a high IQ. Emotional Intelligence brings both social and professional benefits for students. For example, for a student stuck in a situation where their perspective about a particular topic completely differs from their classmate, rather than going for a contradictory debate, it is highly recommended to use EQ and be an active listener before presenting their personal opinion. Hearing them out first and then discussing often leads to reaching a middle ground much more seamlessly and is significantly more productive than the alternative approach.
Leniency has always favoured students amidst trying times, and hardships have never been so imposing on students as it is now. Brac University, as such, has stood as an epitome of leniency since the beginning of lockdown. Hence, the recent change in policy introduced in certain courses, such as mandatory attendance and proctored exams, has arisen as an issue. Although it is of utmost importance to uphold credibility where it is due, and be strict to avoid students passing exams via unfair means, some students have voiced their concerns regarding these policies. Many believe these new implemented changes for online classes are unjust, like the attendance for both before and after midterm exams to be at least 50%, or to have cameras kept on during classes. Midterm and final exams will also be proctored strictly with the webcam on, and if turned off, the concerning student will be subjected to viva and other appropriate measures. While these measures seem necessary to ensure students actually attend classes and pass exams fairly, some students feel this contradicts the purpose of buX. Not every student has a stable internet connection since power and broadband lines are cut down every day. Moreover, many students are living outside of Dhaka where load shedding is quite frequent. Consequently, absence in said classes will force students to lose 5 marks resulting in potential decrement of final grades. Similarly, it will be troublesome to attend proctored exams, leaving students to attend interviews which can increase their stress further during exams week.
Freshman Year: No memories to reminisce Sarah Nazia Chowdhury Journalist Starting university is one of the most exhilarating and salient moments of life as there is so much to anticipate. Coming to the university campus for the first time, meeting new people, experiencing new things - the entire experience is filled with moments of wonder. However, with physical classes on hold for the better part of a year now, Brac University freshers from Summer 2020 to Spring 2021, recall a significantly different experience. Mayeesha Masud (Freshman, ENH), when asked about the difficulties she had to face due to lack of physical directives, stated, “I did not know who to contact so initially it was incredibly perplexing.” Another student, Kohinoor Sultana Elora (Freshman, CSE), also had a rather tedious experience as she claims starting university online dismantled the compartmentalisation of her life. “Whether it is time for classes or leisure, everything is done in my room”, she states. “I was looking forward to making friends but now boxes in google meet are my classmates.”Upama Sanjana (Freshman, EEE) similarly felt that starting university online had taken a toll on her performance, as doing assignments online proved to be quite difficult. Masud also laments the irrevocable chance of Residential Semester (RS) that she missed. “You definitely form a special kind of bond with your peers from RS, but for me, it is no different than any other semester.” Overall, the experience shared by freshers is unfavourable, and even with the news of university opening, some are uncomfortable with the idea of readjusting themselves all over again, while others remain hopeful to relish their remaining years.
An entire year of online classes Photo Credit: Samiha Masum
4 | BRACU Express
March, 2021
SPECIAL FEATURE
March, 2021
SPECIAL FEATURE
BRACU Express | 5
6 | BRACU Express
March, 2021
OFF CAMPUS
Nerdy Andaa: A knowledge trove to satisfy your curiosities Khwaja Zohura Zanzabil Journalist Since the beginning of COVID-19 lockdowns, educational platforms had adapted to the new normal by offering their courses digitally. Despite its convenience and ease of access, very few of these courses were presented in Bengali, the native language of most Bangladeshis. To overcome this inadequacy, a group of students from Brac University decided to open “Nerdy Andaa”, an educational platform where all videos would be presented in Bengali for the ease of understanding of local students. Founded by Mohammad Taher Abdullah ( Junior, CSE), Nasiba Arif Sheta ( Junior, ESS), Shadap Iqbal ( Junior, CSE) and Srijan Banik ( Junior, CSE), “Nerdy Andaa” inaugurated as an educational channel in YouTube, encompassing a variety of academic disciplines. Currently, available tutorials focus on programming, robotics, biotechnology, graphic design, economics and calligraphy. The founders also hope to include other fields of study as the channel grows. According to Taher, the challenges of maintaining the channel are fairly dynamic. Being a non-profit channel, like minded students from different universities had to be recruited to work voluntarily, without any monetary benefits. Additionally, the team had to learn new skills such as video editing and animation in order to collaborate and produce unique content regularly. In the future, the team hopes to establish a physical institution for the platform, where knowledge enthusiasts can learn about any topic in Bengali, completely free of cost.
Brac University’s Governance and Development Institute among ‘Top 40 Think Tanks Worldwide’ Shihab Sharar Journalist Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), an independent research and postgraduate teaching centre at Brac University, has been recognised as one of the top 40 transparency and good governance think tanks in the world. BIGD was placed in the globally renowned “Global Go To Think Tank Index Report’’ which is published annually by the University of Pennsylvania. The category “Top Transparency and Good Governance Think Tanks” recognises top organisations marked by their independence, neutrality and expertise in governance research. The annual ranking, published by the Think Tanks and Civil Society Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania since 2006, compares research institutions and think tanks across the world by region, area of research, and special achievement. BIGD was set up to work towards promoting innovation and improvement in governance and development processes for a just and prosperous society. Using rigorous research, it influences policy and practice and aims to build fit-for-future capabilities through quality educational programs. BIGD’s core competency lies in high-quality field-research using a broad range of cuttingedge methods in close engagement with the government and development partners. As a part of BracU, BIGD also offers three masters level programs (Masters in Development Studies, Masters in Governance and Development and Masters in Procurement and Supply Management).
The founders of Nerdy Andaa
The Global Undergraduate Awards: an opportunity for research enthusiasts Nowshin Islam Journalist The Global Undergraduate awards is one of the world’s leading academic awards program that recognises outstanding research and original work by undergraduate students. The purpose of the program is to offer undergraduate students a platform to recognise their potential and harness their confidence for early success. This year, the program is accepting applications through their completely anonymised online submission platform, designed to fairly assess entries from students regardless of their background. The application process is entirely cost-free and any student graduating in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 can submit their work. Entrants can submit their work to one of 25 categories, representing a broad range of academic fields, including the sciences, business, humanities, and creative arts. The submission is required to receive an A grade or equivalent as part of an academic coursework and students can submit up to 3 papers/projects in different categories. All submissions will be anonymously assessed by a panel of international academics and industry leaders. The top 10% of submissions in each category will be classed as Highly Commended and the best submission in each category will be deemed the Global Winner. The deadline to submit entries to the program for this year is 15th June, 12.00 pm IST (Irish Standard Time). After last year’s impressive response from Brac University, Israr Hasan (Graduate, ESS) the campus ambassador for the Global Undergraduate Awards in BracU, is witnessing a keener interest among students to get involved with this opportunity. He hopes the participation will build a deeper appreciation for research among students of BracU through global cross-discipline collaboration. For further queries contact Israr Hasan Email:israrhasan@live.com
BRACU Express | 7
March, 2021
SPORTS NEWS
Valorant: FPS Reimagined
Adeeba Afreen Chowdhury Journalist
Artwork of Valorant
A Snapshot of Valorant Gameplay
In 2020, the developer of League of Legends, Riot Games, released Valorant, a 5v5 character-based tactical first-person shooter (FPS) game where precise gunplay along with unique agent abilities, allows players to either defend or attack an area. Players play a minimum of 25 rounds and the first team to win 13 rounds wins the match. Now, Valorant being influenced by a game that has dominated the esports scene for decades in CS: GO is undeniable. There are still, however, key differences between the two. Valorant, for example, is a lot more beginner friendly than CS:GO at first glance. While CS:GO, being a Counter Strike title with decades of development under its belt, is a lot more well suited for FPS veterans. Valorant also adds a twist to the FPS genre by adding a diverse set of agents with unique abilities to choose from, much like another FPS title in
Overwatch. This makes the game a lot more dynamic and increases the variables and strategy behind each encounter.
Staying Active Offline: Zero Budget Self-Care Saniya Ahmed Journalist The shackle of the pandemic has been hazardous to our health in ways beyond the direct effects of the virus. Our physical activities were rudely halted and this has had both noticeable and unnoticeable effects. With a post-vaccine era approaching reality, it is high time to get back in shape. It is not wise to slouch all day while immersing your mind into the universe inside your computer. Fortunately, there are several yoga positions that are there to help with just that - Cat- Cow, DownwardFacing Dog or Neck Rolls, to name a few. If you consider yourself to be on the opposite side of the spectrum from fitness gurus, then the all-in-one package for you would be to take a walk in the park (or street) while the sun is still above the horizon, all while maintaining proper COVID-19 precautions ofcourse. A simple and healing activity, walking is an exercise for the body and mind while sunlight is a source of Vitamin D. This helps with fatigue, back pain and depression. Also, maintaining strict hygiene with or without a life- threatening virus is crucial and can improve general health immensely. Our world being excessively online-oriented is detrimental to our mental health. Mindlessly scrolling through your feed while getting bombarded by opinions and negativity can be overwhelming. It is essential then to take a break, pick up a book and invest time in some more hands-on hobbies like indulging in art and spirituality.
Valorant is and has been incredibly popular since its launch and this can be attributed to it being released during the pandemic. It runs smoothly even on low-end PCs making it a lot more accessible. While CS: GO, unfortunately, is swarmed with cheaters that frustrate regular players, Valorant has a complex anti-cheat system (Vanguard) that is more robust and delivers a better gaming experience free of cheaters. Whether Valorant will be an esport mainstay years from now is still uncertain. However, it is definitely off to a good start.
Reminiscence and Aspiration: Rejuvenating BRACU Women’s Football Club Farheen Chowdhury Sudipta Nandi Tahsin Farjana Journalists
FCBU Women’s Team, Intra Tournament-2019
BRACU Women’s Football Club (FCBU) had a solid run for a few years, on the backs of an equally solid team. The club was then succeeded by fresh legs in 2019, but this endearing journey got interrupted by a roadblock due to the pandemic from 2020 onwards. While most people snuggled themselves into lockdown hibernation, the athletes of the football club kept their spirits up with fitness routines, aspiring to
be at their best if and when the campus reopened. The FCBU athletes’ drive to get on the field comes from a rather unapologetic determination. This determination was echoed by Nashita (Sophomore, CSE), Sadia (Sophomore, Pharmacy) and Fatin (Sophomore, ESS), footballers from FCBU, as they shared their thoughts to BRACU Express. “We play for ourselves”, Fatin says, expressing the team’s conviction
for football. To Nashita, the club was a place for her to selfishly be herself. Sadia and Fatin also added that to them the field was a place of tranquility. Even with the pandemic, the girls remained true to their ambitions as they stayed consistent and self-conscious with regular exercise, proper nutritional diets and frequent practice. Maintaining their stamina was one of the bigger challenges in this regard but they kept their focus from wavering and tried their best to maintain a disciplined regimen. They could not help but feel nostalgic through all this however, as even morning walks brought back vivid images of 7 am practice sessions, kitkat breaks, team huddle sessions and other small tidbits of their time playing together. The players remarked that they hope to inspire more people to join the women’s team at BracU and emphasised how this experience can nurture one’s personality and help them break barriers and reach their full potential.
8 | BRACU Express
March, 2021
ENTERTAINMENT
Nomadland, the story of an adventurous soul
Daft Punk: Trailblazers in electronic dance music
Tanzila Kaokab Journalist
Adeeba Noor Alam Journalist
“Is home just a word or is it something that you carry within you?” To most of us, home is more than just the walls we are surrounded by. It is a place where there is a sense of belonging, family, and comfort. However, for some, home is very different; it is where their heart is. Directed by Chloé Zhao, Nomadland is an American indie film that deals with such an aspect by following the story of a woman who faces a terrible tragedy but chooses to move forward with her life by packing her belongings and taking to the road— adapting a nomadic lifestyle. It is a beautifully Nomadland-Poster crafted film with deeply authentic performances, well-choreographed music, and spectacular cinematography that masterfully captures the beauty of natural landscapes in the country. Zhao also included the historical context about the damages to Empire, Nevada and its people. She portrayed the struggles of the nomads in that situation in a subtle, yet impactful way. With excellent direction and Frances McDormand’s outstanding acting, this movie delivered an inspiring message which showcased the importance of finding happiness in the little things in our lives.
Daft Punk as pictured in Starboy music video.
The 2000s had many iconic moments, but perhaps the most nostalgia-invoking would be the Nokia 5300 commercial, which introduced the world to the French electronica duo Daft Punk. Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter started in 1992 as the act Darlin’ making run-of-the-mill rock demos. Their style was criticised by Melody Maker as being “daft punky thrash”, leading them to dub themselves “Daft Punk”.
Following this, they were discovered at a rave in 1993 and went on to release their debut album Homework in 1997 with Soma Quality Recordings, which included their MTV VMA-nominated track, Da Funk. Their upbeat sound and signature metal helmets were something many would come to recognise and love. Their later career included the releases of Discovery, Human After All and Random Access Memories, and collaborations with many noteworthy musicians, including Pharrell Williams and The Weeknd. Over their 28-year long stay, they won 6 Grammys and several other accolades from various international film-music festivals. Their trophy cabinet however is only a fraction compared to the mark they left on their listeners. The duo calling it quits recently has invited widespread heartbreak and love from millions of fans, leaving many to reminisce about their years of revolutionising electronic dance music and changing the face of modern pop culture.
WandaVision: A sitcom of chaos and magic Fardin Alam Journalist After pleasing Star Wars fans with The Mandalorian, Disney+ has finally released the long-awaited show, WandaVision, marking the beginning of the new phase of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unlike Spider-Man: Far from Home, WandaVision provides significant reveals about the direction of this new phase, phase 4, to the excitement of many fans. WandaVision is an unusual combination of both classic sitcom and mystery— starting off with the set-up of a deliberately cheesy ’50s sitcom format. This format actually works to enforce the surreal atmosphere of the show which will keep you bewitched. The sitcom, though seemingly goofy, also evokes unease by giving hints of the horrific experiences and the sufferings Wanda Maximoff had to bear all her life and the uncomfortable situation she finds herself in now. With brilliant writing and flawless cinematography, Marvel masterfully portrays the feeling of grief and loneliness of our main protagonist Wanda and also shows just what she is capable of. Excellent direction and extra-ordinary acting made each sequence masterful and each frame exemplary. The show is definitely one worth the watch - with many twists, laughts and heartbreaking revelations to accompany you along the way.
Board Members
Executive Panel
Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision
fb.com/bracuexpress
Sheersho Zaman Editor-in-Chief
Aysha Zaheen News Editor
Nairita Ahsan Faruqui News Sub-Editor
Sadrina Afrin Mowna Managing Editor
Raidah Morshed Features Editor
Farhan Hasin Dipro Creative Director
Ashabul Islam Head Of Administration
Aryan Rahman Sports Editor
Noshin Tasnim Director Of Human Resources
Saad Ahmed Baset Head Of Creative
Chowdhury Nusaiba Binte Sayed Opinions and Academics Editor
Malihah Maqsud Director Of Photography
Shaniz Chowdhury Web Media Head
Zamima Islam Off-Campus Editor
Farhan Ajmaine Web Content Manager
Ahsab Rahman Entertainment Editor
@bracuexpress
Advisory Panel Anika Saba Masnoon Khair Roohi Huda Seema Nusrat Amin Shehzad M. Arifeen Correction Policy BRACU Express will only accept corrections for any misquotes, misrepresentations, or factual errors for an article within the semester that it is printed.