Brac University’s International Mother Language Day Celebration
On February 21, 2025, Brac University celebrated Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day honoring the sacrifices made for linguistic freedom. The university’s Leadership Development Forum, faculty, staff and students participated in a Probhat Feri and placed a floral wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Brac University Pharma Society organized an online event to reflect on linguistic and cultural heritage including a write-up competition on the theme “Ekushey Book Fair and the Expansion of the Bengali Language.” Top three participants were awarded books.
American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) has held its freshman student orientation for the spring 2024-2025 semester. The event welcomed undergraduate and graduate students from various faculties with Nadia Anwar as the chief guest. She congratulated the newly admitted students and offered guidance on their academic journey and career.
Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Hasanul A. Hasan, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna and Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam. Event also included Shania Mahia Abedin, registrar, AIUB faculty members, directors, senior officials, newly admitted students and their parents. Event concluded with a concert featuring renowned singer and AIUB alumnus Minar Rahman.
AIUB 22nd convocation celebrated graduation of 2,547 students
22nd convocation of American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) took place on February 22, 2025, at the university’s campus. Salehuddin Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology presided over the ceremony and distributed certificates to the graduates. SM A Faiz chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) delivered a significant speech as a special guest, while the keynote address was given by professor Salimullah Khan recipient of the 2024 Bangla Academy Literary Award. Notable attendees included Nadia Anwar chairperson of AIUB’s Trustee Board and a founding member; Saiful Islam vice-chancellor and Md. Abdur Rahman pro vice-chancellor of AIUB.
A total of 2,547 students were awarded undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at AIUB’s 22nd convocation. Meritorious students received medals and honors, including 3 Chancellor Gold Medals, 79 Summa Cum Laude (Gold), 20 Dr. Anwarul Abedin Leadership Medals, 128 Magna Cum Laude (Silver), 23 Vice Chancellor Medals and 39 Cum Laude (Bronze).
Salehuddin Ahmed congratulated the new graduates, stating that education is a powerful tool for achieving equity and that graduates should prioritize their families, the country and people.
Salimullah Khan encouraged the graduates to guide society towards justice, liberation and independence.
Bangladesh’s Under-19 National Cricket Team Attends Language Class at AIUB
Bangladesh Under-19 National Cricket Team participated in a specialized language session at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM. This session organized under AIUB’s ongoing collaboration with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) aimed to enhance the players’ communication skills, particularly for international interactions.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIUB and BCB the initiative focused on the holistic development of young cricketers by strengthening their academic and professional skills. Interactive session covered key communication techniques, helping players build confidence in both verbal and non-verbal interactions.
Players actively engaged in discussions, exercises, and practical learning activities, making the session both dynamic and impactful. They expressed their appreciation for the opportunity, recognizing the crucial role language proficiency plays in their sporting careers.
AIUB renowned for its dedication to education and skill development was honored to host the national youth team and contribute to their growth beyond cricket. This collaboration highlights the importance of preparing athletes not only for excellence in sports but also for effective communication on the global stage.
World Reputation Rankings 2025: The Most Prestigious Universities Revealed
The Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings 2025 have been released on 18 February, showcasing the most prestigious universities globally based on academic perception. This year, the rankings expanded to include 300 institutions from 38 countries and territories, providing a broader view of global academic excellence.
Top 10 Most Prestigious Universities in 2025
Harvard University (United States)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (United States)
University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
Stanford University (United States)
University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
University of California, Berkeley (United States)
Princeton University (United States)
Tsinghua University (China)
Yale University (United States)
The University of Tokyo (Japan)
Harvard retains the top position for the 14th consecutive year, while Oxford rises to joint second—the highest placement for a UK university in a decade. The rankings also highlight the growing influence of Asian institutions, with Tsinghua University and The University of Tokyo securing top 10 positions.
How the Rankings Were Calculated
The 2025 rankings feature a revamped methodology designed to offer a more comprehensive evaluation of institutional reputation. The assessment is based on three core factors:
Vote Counts – Evaluating how many academics worldwide recognize a university’s excellence in teaching and research.
Pairwise Comparison – Encouraging respondents to rank institutions more thoughtfully rather than relying on well-known names.
Voter Diversity – Rewarding universities that receive recognition from scholars across multiple countries and disciplines.
These rankings are derived from the THE Global Academic Reputation Survey, which gathered input from over 55,000 scholars worldwide.
With institutional reputation influencing student recruitment, funding, and global partnerships, these rankings remain a key benchmark for universities striving for academic excellence.
A Brac University Dean Reappointed as Visiting Professor at Harvard GSD
Brac University’s School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) proudly announces the reappointment of its Dean Fuad Hassan Mallick as a visiting faculty in Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (GSD).
In Fall 2023, Mallick led a studio course at GSD titled Permanence in Transition, focusing on the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. As part of the course, Harvard students visited the camps in October 2023, gaining firsthand insights that informed their design projects. Building on this impactful work, his Spring 2025 studio will explore informal settlements in Dhaka, addressing critical urban challenges through design and planning.
Beyond his teaching contributions, Mallick delivered a lecture at Harvard, Contemporary Architecture in Bangladesh: Sources and the Way Beyond, moderated by Professor Rahul Mehrotra. In this session, he provided valuable insights into the evolution of modern architecture in Bangladesh and its future trajectory.
SoAD, Brac University extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mallick on this distinguished recognition. His reappointment reflects his global impact in architecture and urban design and highlights the growing prominence of Bangladesh’s architectural education on the world stage.
University of Hyogo (UH) is a public university in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, established in 2004 after merging three previous institutions. It has nine campuses, including the Kobe Campus for Commerce, Himeji Campus for Engineering, Harima Campus for Science, Akashi Campus for Nursing, Art and Science, and Awaji Campus for Landscape Design and Management.
UH has six undergraduate schools, 14 graduate schools, and four affiliated laboratories. The newest faculty is the Graduate School of Disaster Resilience and Governance, established in 2017 to draw on the region’s experience after the 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. UH is home to Japan’s largest astronomical telescope and a medium-sized synchrotron radiation facility. It is close to state-of-the-art research facilities, including the SPring-8 facility and the K computer. The university’s emblem, blue and gold, represents “profound wisdom and a bright future” and consists of three pillars: education, research, and social contribution.
University of Hyogo offers various programs for non-degree students, auditing students and research students; apply now: https://www.u-hyogo.ac.jp/prospective.
NSU Celebrates ‘Spring and Pitha Festival 1431’ with Cultural Fervor
North South University (NSU) embraced the spirit of spring with the vibrant celebration of the Spring and Pitha Festival 1431 featuring music, poetry recitations, dance performances and an array of traditional delicacies.
Jointly organized by North South University Social Services Club and North South University Sangskritik Sangathan (NSUSS) – the event transformed the university’s Bashundhara campus into a festive spectacle. Colorful festoons, handmade banners and artistic flyers adorned the venue while thousands of students dressed in bright red and yellow attire carried flowers to welcome the season with enthusiasm.
NSU Plaza became the heart of the celebration, alive with traditional dance performances, folk songs and a Pitha Festival showcasing a delightful assortment of sweet, sour and spicy pithas (traditional Bengali cakes). Adding to the excitement, NSUSS students delivered a lively flash mob performance, captivating the audience.
NSU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Abdul Hannan Chowdhury inaugurated the festival with encouraging students to embrace and uphold Bengali culture. Emphasizing the importance of preserving traditions he remarked, “Spring Festival is a celebration of our culture and heritage. It is a part of our identity, and our responsibility is to preserve and promote it. North South University will always encourage students to engage in cultural activities.”
Event saw the presence of Pro Vice-Chancellor (IC) and Treasurer Abdur Rob Khan, deans of various faculties, department heads, faculty members, university officials and students making it a grand and memorable occasion.
Digital Environment Committee at North South University (NSU) held a seminar on “Introducing Marketing Database and AI Tools” on February 12, 2025
Digital Environment Committee of the Department of Marketing and International Business at North South University (NSU) organized a seminar titled “Introducing Marketing Database and AI Tools” on February 12, 2025, at AUDI 801, NSU. In this session aimed to equip students and faculty with essential skills in leveraging marketing databases and AI tools for market research, industry analysis, competitive benchmarking and trend forecasting.
Dr. Khandker Md Nahin Mamun assistant professor and chair of the Department and Dr. Tamhid Ul Islam assistant professor led the seminar, providing insights into data-driven marketing strategies.
Dr. Tamhid introduced Statista a widely used German-based market intelligence platform, demonstrating how it offers extensive datasets, industry insights and visualized statistics to enhance research and academic projects. He emphasized the growing role of secondary data in strategic decision-making.
Dr. Mamun explored various AI-powered tools that streamline marketing research, content creation, and branding. He highlighted platforms such as Jeda AI, Avidnote.com, ChatGPT and KLING AI, showcasing their potential in generating data-driven insights and optimizing marketing efforts.
Seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to deepen their understanding of marketing analytics. Dr. Mamun thanked all participants for their enthusiasm, reinforcing the importance of embracing AI and data analytics in today’s evolving marketing landscape.
Brac University Launches Net Zero and Plastic-Free Campus Initiative
Brac University, in collaboration with Brac and the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance (BSA) has launched the “Net Zero Project and Plastic-Free Zero-Waste Campus” initiative to transform its campus into a sustainable, waste-free environment.
This initiative focuses on eliminating single-use plastics, enhancing recycling programs, and promoting sustainable alternatives. It aligns with the mission of BSA, a platform formed in November 2023 by Brac, Unilever, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, PRAN-RFL Group, and Marico Bangladesh to implement practical solutions for reducing plastic pollution.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr. Md. Liakath Ali, Director of Climate Change, Urban Development, and Disaster Risk Management Programme at Brac, and Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of Brac University, formalizing the commitment to sustainability.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan adviser of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change lauded Brac University’s leadership in fostering a culture of sustainability. She emphasized the role of educational institutions in changing mindsets and habits to combat climate change and reduce ecological footprints.
Tamara Hasan Abed chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Brac University reaffirmed the university’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its core education. She highlighted the importance of embedding environmental conservation across all disciplines, stressing that sustainability is a shared responsibility.
Chairing the event, VC Syed Ferhat Anwar reiterated the university’s dedication to waste reduction, responsible resource management, and environmentally friendly campus operations. He expressed Brac University’s aspiration to lead the Global South in sustainability practices.
Event also featured speeches by David Dowland registrar of Brac University and Sankalita Shome chief coordinator of BSA who spoke on collective efforts toward a zero-waste campus.
Additionally, seed funding was awarded for the “Zero-Waste University Challenge” a student pitch contest run by the Social Impact Lab of Brac University – encouraging innovative sustainability projects.
Attendees explored poster presentations by students from various schools and colleges, showcasing eco-friendly product alternatives and insights into a zero-waste lifestyle. These presentations were a culmination of awareness sessions conducted by BSA and the Brac University Outreach Program on responsible consumption, waste reduction and segregation.
This initiative marks a significant step in Brac University’s journey toward sustainability, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in environmental responsibility and action-driven change.
