DEH Student Workshops: Presentation Skills and So, What’s Next?

The Department of English and Humanities at ULAB organized the student workshop on “Presentation Skills” on December 14, 2023. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Nadia Rahman, Assistant Professor, DEH. This workshop is a part of the series of workshops conducted for students of the final term to help them navigate life after graduation as they explore higher studies and job opportunities.

The session began with Ms. Rahman asking students about the difficulties they faced during presentations as undergraduate students. She then addressed the presentation skills of students and their struggles to put content on slides. This was followed by addressing the distress and fears that manifest during the actual presentations and how to effectively avoid them. From there, a discussion panned out on preparing slides and presenting in front of a crowd, the etiquette and manners to be maintained, the appearance of the presenter, etc. Moreover, the facilitator emphasized the role of students as audience during the presentations and how their participation affects the entire environment. More importantly, Ms. Rahman introduced and elaborated on the objectives of a presentation which are mainly the physical and visual messages of the story, and it is crucial to hold up the messages appropriately. 

As the workshop approached the end, she highlighted the “Four Ps of Presentation” which were Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Perform, and the “Pecha Kucha” method was explained.

To conclude the workshop, Ms. Rahman summarized all the important points of the session. Additionally, she suggested some tips and methods to the students to alleviate their anxiety for their upcoming thesis defense and to induce some confidence in them. The session ended with Ms. Rahman wishing the graduating students luck.

This workshop was followed by a session on “So, What’s Next?” by Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head of the Department, to acquaint the students with the next step forward.

Report by: Sajia Afroza Khan (201013057)

“So, What’s Next?”

After the final workshop for the graduating students, Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman conducted a session titled “So, What’s Next?” The purpose of the session was to provide insights to the students on the next steps after the completion of their undergraduate degree. The session focused on ideas about graduate studies and what students should consider as they proceed.

Ms. Rahman began the session by discussing certain factors regarding why a student should pursue graduate studies after completion of their undergraduate program. She talked about how it makes the student competitive in the job market, broadens their networking opportunities, improves their current skills, and boosts their salary. Ms. Rahman discussed in detail the requirements of graduate study applications. She gave an idea about the time required to complete the process of researching and application, which is about a year. She also gave a list of the documents and communication required during the process such as transcripts and certificates, recommendation letters, communication with potential supervisors, applications for funding, language proficiency tests, CVs, SoPs and other essays, research proposals, passport and visa applications, proof of funds, and other documents required by individual institutions. She elaborated all the steps while responding to students’ questions regarding the process.

Ms. Rahman also provided an overview of the MA in English program at ULAB, discussing the different tracks, the format of the courses/classes, and how the learning would be beneficial for those seeking to pursue higher studies as the MA degree at ULAB provides them with a solid foundation to face the challenges of studying abroad. In addition, there are numerous facilities for ULABians. The MA Coordinator, Ms. Nadia Rahman, joined the workshop to share her perspectives on the graduate program at ULAB. She elaborated on Ms. Rahman’s points by discussing the services, facilities, and external faculty who are part of the program. Ms. Arifa Rahman also gave some examples of previous and current students’ achievements in the MA program, which could motivate the graduating students.

The session ended with a brief question and answer session with the students.

 Report by Shanjida Nusrath Ali (201013093)