Commencement Fall 2023
The Fall 2023 Commencement was organized by the Department of English and Humanities of ULAB on December 26, 2023, at the ULAB Permanent Campus for the graduating students of the BA and MA in English programs. The students of Batches 202, 203, and 211 arranged the cultural segment of the program as a farewell to the graduating students. The theme of the event was “Echoes of Change,” and the Commencement Speaker was DEH alumna Nahida Shabnam Urmi, Business Operation Specialist at Yodo1 in Beijing, China.
The program began with DEH Head, Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, congratulating the graduating students on their success. She recalled the many contributions the graduating batches had made to the department and to the university, pinpointing their engagement with different social issues such as human rights and sustainability.
Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, during his congratulatory speech, recited a poem of his written to his own mentor that reflected on the teacher-student relationship.
Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Special Advisor, ULAB Board of Trustees, then imparted some invaluable advice to the students, emphasizing the importance of soul searching and values.
The Commencement Speaker, Ms. Nahida Shabnam Urmi spoke to the graduating students by first detailing her time at ULAB as a student, professing that despite English not being her first choice of subject, after joining ULAB, it felt like her true calling. She elaborated on her journey of being a PR leader for the World Academy for the Future of Women (WAFW) project, and how the leadership experience changed her perspective on life. She spoke against the stigma of studying English Literature, emphasizing that she utilizes her learning from her degree in her current job. She ended her inspiring speech by advising students to find themselves and create their true value before stepping out into the real world. She was then presented with a token of appreciation by Prof. Kaiser Haq.
The cultural segment began with Mr. Al Mahmud Rumman, Senior Lecturer, DEH, reciting a poem that spoke of changes. There were performances by the organizing batches that began with a song by Alen Henry Costa (Batch 211) and alumnus Marzuk Ahmed Khan Mojlish.
Fardeen Azwaad and Rubaiyat Raiyan (Batch 211) recited a captivating poem, and then graduating student from the BA in English program, Sanzida Alam (Batch 201) spoke on behalf of the outgoing students. She shared her experiences as a student of DEH and conveyed encouraging words to her batchmates.
Then, graduating BA students, Tasfiyah Saba, Tanjila Fairuz, and Mahzabin Montaha Tamim, along with Alen and Marzuk, took the stage to perform a choir song.
Graduating MA student Maliha Huq was invited on stage to share her experience at ULAB on behalf of her fellow graduates. She did this with an incredible poem she had written. The performances carried on with an entertaining skit scripted by MA students Quazi Farhina Hassan and Mahjabeen Hassan Wreete along with their team. Alen and Marzuk, once again, took the stage to end the performances with a beautiful song.
A certificate-giving session was held at the end of the program where the Prof. Kaiser Haq, Prof. Shamsad Mortuza, and Ms. Arifa Rahman handed over certificates to the students presenters of the Fall 2023 Graduate Student Seminar and the graduating Scholars Program students.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Mohammad Mahadhi Hasan, Assistant Professor, DEH. The program was hosted by Fatema Aftab Miah (Batch 211).
Report by Marifa Khan (211013012)
