ULAB Media Studies and Journalism Department Welcomes Spring 2026 Cohort with Orientation and Apprenticeship Day
The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) successfully held its MSJ Freshers Orientation and Apprenticeship Day for the Spring 2026 semester. The event served as a formal welcome for incoming freshers, introducing them to the department’s legacy while recognizing the outstanding achievements of current students through the term's Apprenticeship Awards.
The program began with a warm address by the host, Sadia Tarannum, who emphasized that the MSJ department is "a space where voices matter, ideas are nurtured, and stories come alive."
A Vision for Future Media Professionals
Professor Sumon Rahman, Head of the MSJ Department, delivered the keynote address. Described as a mentor and a constant source of inspiration, Prof. Sumon Rahman shared his vision for the department and the critical role media students play in shaping society.
The orientation featured a series of engaging sessions designed to integrate new students into the MSJ community:
Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal presented an insightful breakdown of the diverse student community, highlighting the vibrant peer group in the Student Demography part that the freshers are joining. In History & Mission, Ms. Syeda Sadia Mehjabin walked students through the department’s values, reminding them that they are "not just joining a department, but becoming part of a legacy." On the part of Portfolio Creation, highlighting the importance of professional identity, Muhammad Aminuzzaman provided strategic advice on building impactful portfolios to navigate the competitive media landscape. Lecturer Andalif Rubayat engaged the audience with a dynamic Kahoot session, reinforcing the department's culture of interactive learning.
Celebrating Excellence: The Apprenticeship Awards
A highlight of the event was the Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony (Fall 2025), presided over by Prof. Sumon Rahman. These awards recognize students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and creativity within the department’s apprenticeship programs, which include The ULABian, CinemaScope, U CAST, PR4U, AnimKotha, ULAB TV, ShutterBugs, ForensIQ, and the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF).
The winners for the Fall 2025 term include:
The ULABian:
○ Best Contributor for Events Volunteering: Samia Akter
○ Best Contributor for Graphics & Media: Nirbheek Muttaqui Mullick
ULAB TV:
○ Best News: "বাজারে রঙিন আলো, বিপাকে ক্রেতা" — Shahriar Sarker (Reporter)
and Minul Islam (Asst. Reporter)
○ Best Digital Story: "কারিকুলাম ইন্ট্রিগ্রেসন ২০২৫" — Minul Islam (Reporter) and
Shamim Hossain Sohag (Asst. Reporter)
○ Best Graphics: Osama Zain (Durga Puja)
○ Best Program: "The Reading Room (Episode 01)" — Sumaiya Islam (Producer)
and Shamim Hossain Sohag (Asst. Producer)
Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF):
○ Best Executive (PR & Media Manager): Most. Rafia Sultana
○ Best Volunteer: Sadia Islam Jannat and Talukder Shabab Musharof Purno
ShutterBugs:
○ Best Photographer: Noore Subah Biva
○ Best Organizer: Syed Imran Hossain
○ Best Organizer (Lifetime Achievement): MD Ratul Islam
AnimKotha:
○ Best Animator: Bijita Barman
○ Best Post-production Artist: Osama Zain
○ Best Production Manager: Md. Masud Parvez
Bridging Academics and Mentorship
The event concluded with an advising session, where freshers were guided by PR4U volunteers to meet their faculty mentors. As emphasized during the closing remarks, the advising session marks the "beginning of mentorship" at ULAB MSJ. Students also visited the Library and the Brian Shoesmith Media Lab to familiarize themselves with the university's resources.
About ULAB MSJ The Department of Media Studies and Journalism at ULAB is a leading center for media education in Bangladesh, committed to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical storytelling through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical apprenticeship.