Chief Editor Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D. Editorial Team Evita Umama Amin Mehetaz Chowdhury Rifat Mahbub, Ph.D. Contributing Members Hasina Afroz Ipshitt Tarafdar Ismat Shereen Jabed Rasel Kazi Lutful Kabir Kuhel Faizul Islam Md Solaiman Jony Md. Abdullah Al-Kaium Md. Arifuzzaman Mohammad Shamim Azad Monojit Kumar Ojha, FCA N M Baki Billah N.I.M Alamgir Nazmus Sabeka Nurul Islam Bulbul Professor Saira Rahman Khan, Ph.D. Reaz Uddin Khan Coordinator Rubana Ahmed, Ph.D. Md Mahi Uddin Sabrina Sharin Sharna Sabrina Syed Procurement Sadita Ahmed Abdul Moghni Chowdhury Saiqa Iqbal Meghna Md. Muntasir Razib Salina Akhter, MBBS Sarah Tabassum Cover Design Sarwat Sarwar Md. Touhidul Islam Shadia Alam Student, CSE, BRAC University Shahrukh Safi Shanzida Shahab Uddin Illustration and Printing Sharmind Neelotpol, Ph.D. Color Line Sohel Iqbal Tasnuva Huque April 2017 Statement of Chairperson Board of Trustees 5 Statement of Vice Chancellor 6 GOVERNANCE Board of Trustees 10 Syndicate 11 Academic Council 12 BRAC University Logo & Anthem 13 Profile of BRAC University 14 Highlights of 2016 16 BRAC Onnesha 18 BRACU New Campus Project 19 11th Convocation, BRAC University 2016 21 SCHOOLS BRAC Business School (BBS) 26 James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) 31 School of Law (SoL) 35 DEPARTMENTS Department of Architecture (ARC) 40 Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) 46 Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS) 53 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) 58 Department of English and Humanities (ENH) 61 Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS) 65 Department of Pharmacy (PHR) 74 INSTITUTES BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BIED) 80 BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) 84 BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) 91 CENTRES Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) 96 Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) 99 Professional Development Centre (PDC) 102 Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) Centre 105 Writing Centre 106 RESOURCES AND SERVICES Ayesha Abed Library 110 BRACU Administration 116 Counseling Unit 118 Finance and Accounts Department 121 Human Resources Department (HRD) 122 Information Technology Department (IT) 124 Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) 125 Medical Centre 128 Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations (OCSAR), 129 Office of Co-curricular Activities (OCA) and 132 Office of Student Affairs 135 Office of Communications (OoC) 139 Office of Registrar 140 Procurement Department 143 Relationship Management Office (RMO) 145 Residential Semester (RS) 148 Partners in Education 152 COMMITTEES Finance Committee 155 Faculty Selection Committee 156 Disciplinary Committee 157 Auditor's Report 158 List of Acronyms 163 Statement of Chairperson Board of Trustees Since its inception in 2001, BRAC University has become one of the most reputed educational institutions in Bangladesh. We have focused on generating new knowledge and promoting critical thinking amongst our students, graduating more than 7,000 young men and women during this time. At present, the total number of students is around 8,000. Our goal at BRAC University is not only to provide the highest quality teaching in the region, but also to inculcate the values essential for tomorrow's leaders. Through a liberal education, we endeavour to produce graduates with the attributes needed to achieve personal success and make a valuable contribution to society. Our talented and dedicated faculty play a critical role in both these processes. I am pleased to report that the construction of the new University campus, comprising a 14-storey building of 17 lakh square feet on 5 acres of land, is well under way. We hope to relocate by mid- 2020. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed Chairperson, Board of Trustees BRAC University Statement of Vice Chancellor It has been a rewarding year in 2016 for BRAC University (BRACU) as it enters new realms of engagement and accomplishments. Entrusted by the Board of Trustees (BoT) to build a university of repute that is recognized in Bangladesh and beyond, our strategy has evolved to focus on several key components: 1) Nurturing high quality faculty 2) Admitting students who meet decent academic standards 3) Building a high quality and supportive administrative team 4) Introducing innovative and challenging educational programs 5) Ensuring sufficiency of resources and providing modern facilities By coordinating and energizing these five elements, we can be better at reflecting the qualities of what “great” universities of the world embody. The journey has just begun, and while it will take many turns, we must remain steadfast and focused, reaching for higher levels of accomplishment at each stage of the University's progression. To coordinate the five-pronged strategy, we have embarked on several “priority” projects, in addition to the regular work of BRACU. These include: a. New campus construction with an iconic and state-of-the-art building b. Professional/andragogy skills development of “all” faculty, leading to certification c. Core skill development of students (and faculty) through the Gen Ed program d. Curriculum revision and upgrading by benchmarking with a target institution e. IT integration and new applications to enhance technological sophistication f. Internationalization of our student and faculty community g. Student and alumni engagement in projects for social impact h. Modern HR system focusing on performance-based governance i. Research It is an exhilarating time for all of us to see the University making confident strides into the future. Onnesha, the first nano-satellite built in Bangladesh by BRACU, is getting ready for its space debut; the largest cohort of “better quality” students have entered the university in Spring 2017; research grants and scholarships are coming in steadily from both local and international bodies; international institutions -- UC Berkeley in research, University of Michigan's Ross Business School in helping us build an Entrepreneurship Program; and special partnerships in Europe (Umea, Sweden), Australia (Macquarie University, University of Canberra), Japan (Kyushu University), and USA (Georgetown and others) -- are building bridges with us; the University Grants Commission (UGC) along with the British Council have shown deep interest in our teaching-learning initiatives; our expertise is sought in developing “Strategy for Higher Education in Bangladesh;” invitations are coming from AMDISA (Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) to share our experiences and join their efforts to spread quality education; Chief Executives of corporate bodies in Bangladesh are advising different academic units; some departments are forging industry-academy partnerships – the list is long and growing! Creative activities are also evolving in the various departments, centers, institutes, and the Savar Residential Semester program that are truly indicative of our potential. The schools and institutes are pursuing pioneering programs of their own (in governance, public health, early childhood development, etc.). Student clubs are reaching out to various communities as change makers. Annual Report 2016 | 7 One of my dreams is to be listed in the Times Higher Education ranking in the South Asian pool of universities as a start – a goal I boldly placed to all at BRACU to help achieve. To reach this goal I shall leave no stone unturned. Publishing in quality peer-reviewed (SCOPUS and similar) journals is an important pathway to reaching this goal. We are also refurbishing and (re)launching several graduate degree programs to spearhead innovative research activities. It is important at this juncture to reiterate our commitments. We all – teachers, researchers, administrators, and support staff – have a vital role to play in the life of the students by providing a warm, welcoming, nurturing, and challenging environment for them to grow as responsible, caring, creative and respectful citizens. We must treat them well and certainly with respect. Our main goal is to ensure the SUCCESS of our students, empowering them with knowledge and life skills so that they can look after themselves and their families upon graduation and take up the challenging and glorious task of nation-building. I would like to take this opportunity to thank “all” members of the BRAC University family who make institution building exciting and fulfilling. It is for your efforts that we are among the preferred academic destinations for Bangladesh's aspiring students. Soon, I hope, we will be a beacon of excellence for students of the region (SAARC) and extend ourselves into ASEAN, APEC and beyond. By engaging in many creative accomplishments and constantly adding value to the university experience. I trust our work will encapsulate what we stand for: Inspiring Excellence! Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor GOVERNANCE Board of Trustees Syndicate Academic Council 10 | Annual Report 2016 GOVERNANCE Chancellor Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid Hon'ble President, People's Republic of Bangladesh Vice Chancellor Treasurer Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Mr. Sukhendra Kumar Sarkar Pro-Vice Chancellor (Current Charge) Registrar Professor Farhat M. Iftekharuddin, Ph.D. Muhammad Sahool Afzal Major General (Retired) Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees (BoT) is the highest policy making body of BRAC University. It is responsible for ensuring that the highest level of educational and administrative