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 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 . 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 () 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 standards are set and maintained at BRAC University. The current BoT consists of the following eminent personalities of Bangladesh:

Chairperson Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG Founder & Chairperson, BRAC

Mr. Abdul-Muyeed Chowdhury Professor Salma Khan Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Chairperson Bangladesh NGO Coalition on Beijing PFA Former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh and Former Executive Director, BRAC Professor Ahmed Mushtaque Raza Advocate Sultana Kamal Chowdhury, Ph.D. Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Vice Chairperson, BRAC Bangladesh and Former Executive Director Ain o Salish Kendro (ASK)

Professor , Ph.D. Ms. Tamara Hasan Abed Professor Emeritus Senior Director, Enterprises University BRAC

Mr. Faruq A. Choudhury Ms. Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi Chairman Director & Producer, Dhaka Lit Fest Delta BRAC Housing Poet & Writer, Culture & Curator Activist and Entrepreneur and an Alumni of BRACU

Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury Member (ex-officio) Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Bangladesh and Vice Chancellor Executive Director, Campaign for Popular BRAC University Education (CAMPE)

Secretary Muhammad Sahool Afzal Major General (Retired) Registrar BRAC University MEETINGS Four meetings of the Board of Trustees took place on 22 March, 21 June, 27 October and 27 December, 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 11

SYNDICATE

The Syndicate is the highest executive body that exercises administrative and supervisory control on academic, administrative and management activities of the University.

Chairperson Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor, BRAC University

Members

Professor Anisuzzaman, Ph.D. Professor Farhat M. Iftekharuddin, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Pro-Vice Chancellor (Current Charge) Dhaka University BRAC University

Mr. Faruq A. Choudhury Mr. Sukhendra Kumar Sarkar Chairman Treasurer Delta BRAC Housing BRAC University

Professor Shafique uz Zaman, Ph.D. Professor K. Shamsuddin Mahmood Department of Economics Dean Dhaka University School of Law BRAC University

Mr. Md. Helal Uddin Professor Firdous Azim, Ph.D. Additional Secretary Chairperson Ministry of Education Department of English and Humanities Bangladesh Secretariat BRAC University

Professor Eva Rahman Kabir, Ph.D. Ms. Tamara Hasan Abed Chairperson (Current charge) Senior Director, Enterprises Department of Pharmacy BRAC BRAC University

Member Secretary Muhammad Sahool Afzal Major General (Retired) Registrar BRAC University

MEETINGS Four meetings of the Syndicate took place on 10 March, 16 June, 13 October and 01 December, 2016. 12 | Annual Report 2016

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

The Academic Council recommends the educational policies of the university and determines the curricula and courses that can help achieve high educational standards. The council is currently composed of the following academics and professionals:

Chairperson Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor, BRAC University Members

Professor Farhat M. Iftekharuddin, Ph.D. Professor Firdous Azim, Ph.D. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Current Charge) Chairperson BRAC University Department of English and Humanities BRAC University Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Professor Rahim B. Talukder, Ph.D. Bangladesh and Adviser Executive Director, Campaign for Popular BRAC Business School Education (CAMPE) BRAC University Professor Salma Khan Professor Shaheda Rahman Chairperson NGO Coalition on Beijing PFA Chairperson Department of Architecture Professor Iqbal Mahmud, Ph.D. BRAC University Professor Emeritus & Ex-Vice Chancellor BUET Professor Eva Rahman Kabir, Ph.D. Chairperson (Current charge) Dr. John D Clemens Department of Pharmacy Executive Director BRAC University icddr,b Professor Abdul Bayes Professor Sabina F. Rashid, Ph.D. Chairperson (acting) Dean Department of Economics and Social Sciences James P Grant School of Public Health BRAC University BRAC University Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman Director Executive Director BRAC Institute of Languages BRAC Institute of Governance and Development BRAC University BRAC University

Professor A. A. Ziauddin Ahmad Professor K. Shamsuddin Mahmood Chairperson Dean Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences School of Law BRAC University BRAC University

Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D. Dr. Erum Mariam Director Director IQAC BRAC Institute of Educational Development BRAC University BRAC University

Member Secretary Muhammad Sahool Afzal Major General (Retired) Registrar BRAC University MEETINGS Four meetings of the Academic Council took place on 02 March, 14 June, 6 October and 30 November, 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 13

Interpretation of Design of BRACU Logo

The arc of the circle suggests the wish to disseminate education to an international standard and milieu.

The symbolic presentation of three books towards the bottom of the design suggests different stages, levels and subjects of education. An all- round broad -based education has been emphasized here. The suggestive drawing of open books stresses a disciplined and dynamic development of education.

The three colors used in the design- blue, black and silver; the size and shape of the letters that spell BRAC University, and the balanced presentation of the three books and the circle suggest that BRAC University is a strong and dynamic institution of international standard, dedicated to achieving the aims of education, peace, equality and discipline. The BRACU logo was designed by renowned artist Mr. Hashem Khan in 2001. A TAG LINE, 'Inspiring Excellence' was added at the bottom of the Logo on the suggestion of Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor, BRAC University with due approval of Mr. Hashem Khan, Syndicate & BoT on 23 March 2015.

BRACU Anthem 14 | Annual Report 2016

Profile of BRAC University

BACKGROUND ! Department of Electrical and Electronic BRAC University (BRACU) was established in 2001. Engineering (EEE) It follows a liberal arts approach to education, ! Department of English and Humanities (ENH) which nurtures fresh ideas and gives new impetus ! Department of Mathematics and Natural to tertiary education. It ensures a high quality of Sciences (MNS) education and aims to meet the demands of ! Department of Pharmacy (PHR) contemporary times. Building on BRAC's experience of seeking solutions to challenges Institutes posed by extreme poverty, BRACU hopes to instill ! BRAC Institute of Educational Development in its students a commitment to working towards (BlED) national development and progress. BRACU is ! BRAC Institute of Governance and accredited by the University Grants Commission Development (BIGD) (UGC) and approved by the Ministry of Education, ! BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) Government of Bangladesh. Centres MISSION ! Centre for Climate Change and The mission of BRACU is to foster the national Environmental Research (C3ER) development process through the creation of a ! centre of excellence in higher education that is Centre for Entrepreneurship Development responsive to society's needs and able to develop (CED) creative leaders and actively contributes to learning ! Control & Applications Research Centre and creation of knowledge. (CARC) ! GOAL Professional Development Centre (PDC) ! The goal of the University is to provide an excellent Centre for Gender and Social Transformation broad-based education with a focus on (CGST) professional development for students, in order to ! Centre of Excellence for Universal Health equip them with the knowledge and skills Coverage necessary for leading the country in its quest for ! Centre for Health Systems (CHS) development. Along with this, the University ! Centre for Gender Sexuality and HIV/AIDS provides an environment for faculty development ! Global Development Learning Networking to ensure a dynamic teaching environment. Faculty Centre (GDLN) are provided with an environment in which they can ! further their teaching-learning skills and contribute Writing Centre (WC) to the creation of new knowledge by developing Undergraduate Programmes and using their research abilities. ! Bachelor of Architecture Schools ! Bachelor of Arts in English ! BRAC Business School (BBS) ! Bachelor of Business Administration ! James P Grant School of Public Health ! Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (JPGSPH) ! Bachelor of Science in Computer Science ! School of Engineering & Computer Science and Engineering (SECS) ! Bachelor of Science in Electronics and ! School of Law (SOL) Communication Engineering ! Academic Departments Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering ! Department of Architecture (ARC) ! Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and ! Department of Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (CSE) ! Bachelor of Science in Mathematics ! Department of Economics and Social ! Sciences (ESS) Bachelor of Science in Physics Annual Report 2016 | 15

! Bachelor of Social Science in Economics ! Master in Disaster Management ! Bachelor of Laws ! Master in Development Management and ! Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) Practice ! Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology ! Master in Procurement and Supply ! Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Management ! Bachelor of Social Sciences in Anthropology Postgraduate Diploma Programmes/Certificate Courses Graduate Programmes ! ! Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Master of Arts in English Leadership and School Improvement ! Master of Arts in Teaching English to ! Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Speakers of Other Languages Development ! Master of Science in Applied Economics ! Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster ! Master of Science in Biotechnology Management ! Master of Business Administration ! Postgraduate Diploma in Macroeconomic ! Master of Bank Management Analysis ! Executive Master of Business Administration ! Postgraduate Diploma in Development (EMBA) Management ! Master of Science in Computer Science and ! Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science Engineering and Information Technology ! Master of Engineering in Computer Science ! Postgraduate Diploma in Bank Management and Engineering and IT ! Master in Computer Application ! Postgraduate Diploma in South Asian ! Master of Science in Electrical and Electronic Development and Cooperation Engineering ! Postgraduate Certificate in Disaster ! Master of Engineering in Electrical and Management Electronic Engineering ! Certificate in Early Childhood Development ! Master of Public Health ! Certificate Course in Construction ! Master of Development Studies Management ! Master of Arts in Governance and ! Certificate Course in Bengali, English, Development Chinese, French, Spanish, Korean and ! Master of Education in Educational Arabic Language Leadership and School Improvement ! Master of Science in Early Childhood Development 16 | Annual Report 2016

Highlights of 2016

A number of initiatives, events and activities have Best Faculty, Researcher and Staff Award: taken place in 2016. The impact and benefits of BRACU has started a practice of recognizing its some of these activities have already been best faculty, researcher and staff for their observed while others are in the process of being outstanding contributions to the university through implemented. It goes without saying that all these an organized function. The recipients of awards in activities or initiatives are part of a continuous three different categories are Dr. Hasibun Naher, improvement process for the University. A brief Assistant Professor, Department of MNS, best outline of all these activities/ initiatives is given researcher, Ms. Hasina Afroz University Librarian, below: best staff and Ms. Zara Sheikh, Senior Lecturer, Update and Modernization of Curriculum: The Department of PHR, best teacher. process of updating and modernizing the curriculum started in 2015 and was completed in 2016. The principal focus of the updating process was to extricate maximum effectiveness for the students and it considered the latest technology and education pedagogies as its framework. While designing the new curriculum, it was specially taken into account that the curriculum helped students develop skills and strength in diverse sectors, even beyond their respective disciplines. Keeping this in mind, ethical, humanitarian, analytical and communication skills were incorporated into the curriculum design. Some of these curricula are awaiting UGC approval while Scholars Program: Under this title, 30 students others are in the process of being sent to UGC. have participated in special courses, simultaneously with their usual courses, to Certificate in Higher Education Teaching undertake special trainings through workshop and (CHET): In 2016, BRACU started providing a seminars conducted by experienced trainers to certificate training programme, titled “Certificate enhance leadership skills. in Higher Education Teaching” (CHET), to help faculty members develop their teaching skills. Nano-satellite: In 2016, under the supervision of This semester-long programme aims to provide the department of Computer Science and opportunity, on the one hand, to the highly skilled Engineering, a Nano-satellite creating process has faculty members to further improve their teaching been started. With the financial support of BRACU skills by sharing their experience and knowledge, and the technical support of the Kyushu Institute of and on the other hand to the new faculty members Technology (Kyutech) of Japan, 4 students are to equip themselves with these tested techniques being specially trained under a researcher in Japan. and ideas. This programme designed also This Nano-satellite will help study the weather ensures that it helps the faculty members update and provide support to agricultural redesign their course plans and techniques of course delivery in accordance to updated teaching pedagogies. By the end of 2016, 60 faculty members have already completed this program successfully. Institutional Quality Assurance Cell: Since its inauguration in 2015, this cell has initiated various activities, contributing to the development of the university in collaboration with different departments. In 2016, this cell organized several workshops and seminars as part of their activities. Annual Report 2016 | 17 development and other similar purpose. It is to be GenEd Programme: In 2016, BRACU, as part of specially noted that BRACU is the first updating the curricula, worked on incorporating institution/organization in Bangladesh to have General Education (GenEd) courses in all taken such an initiative. undergraduate programmes. The goal is to provide five sets of skills (Communication, Critical Thinking, Implying New Laws and Regulation and Mathematical Skills, Technological Awareness and Developing New Work Plan and Principles: In Global Awareness) to all students, irrespective of 2016, BRACU revised its work principles and implied some new work procedure to update the their disciplines, to prepare them for the job market rules and regulation. Some remarks of them are and to increase their social awareness. enlisted below: Immersion in Development Programme: BRACU a. updating the study-leave policy developed this new programme for local and b. strict implementation of plagiarism policy international students, development professionals and executives seeking to translate concepts of c. student internship policy governance and development into specific d. faculty-fellowship policy implementable action plans. The programme e. research work and social service policy focuses on practical learning through fieldwork for f. course reduction policy experiencing development paradigms, strategies and governance at the field level. The programme Introducing New Program: BRACU has has been approved by the Board of Trustees and introduced new programs for the Master's study, will begin from the middle of 2017. which has already been sent for the approval of the UGC. The proposed programs are enlisted below– Revision of HR Policy: In 2016, BRACU revised the HR policy especially focusing on performance a. Master of Laws evaluation and promotion process of all faculty and b. Masters in Drug Development and Pharma staff members. In the new system, the university Management focuses on output and a 3600 evaluation by BRACU New Campus: The construction process different stakeholders. of creating BRACU new campus is going on its full IT Integration: In 2016, the university shifted from strength and it is a possibility that all the its dependency on other service providers to a self- construction work will be completed and could be sufficient and strong IT department. Previously, the inaugurated in 2020. IT department services were sub-contracted to service providers. As this mode proved to be inefficient and costly, the contract was terminated, and the university IT department upgraded its own team to cater to all of the different needs of the university such as network security, troubleshooting all gadgets, data centre, student information services, academic support, website and software development. With recent improvements to the in-house infrastructure of the hardware and software maintenance teams, BRACU has been able to not only cut down its costs but also expand its horizon to all avenues of IT services. 18 | Annual Report 2016

BRAC Onnesha

As part of its academic endeavors, BRAC University ! Relay audio signals and attain (BRACU) took up an initiative to start space and communication through HAM radio during remote sensing research in collaboration with emergencies and catastrophe and play the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan and national anthem on days of national Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing importance. Organization (SPARRSO) three years back. ! Observe space environment Three students from BRACU, Abdulla Hil Kafi, ! Monitor satellite location Raihana Islam Antara and Maisun Ibne Monowar -- ! Demonstrate Ground Station Network for went to Kyutech, Japan to design, develop and nano-satellite constellation assemble Bangladesh's first nano-satellite, BRAC ! ONNESHA, a cube of 10cm edge capable of Attain multi-point simultaneous space completing one orbit 400 kilometres above the environment measurement ground in 90 minutes and passing over Bangladesh This cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project four-six times in 24 hours. Dr. Arifur Rahman Khan, was supported by Japan for four non-space faring Assistant Professor, University of Texas at El Paso, countries and was titled “Joint Global Multi-Nation USA, was the Initiator and Dr Md. Khalilur Rahman, BIRDS Satellite” or “BIRDS Project”. Associate Professor, Department of CSE, BRACU is the Principal Investigator of the Project. CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY OF BRACU also started building a corresponding NATION'S FIRST NANO SATELLITE PROJECT ground station in its Mohakhali campus from where AT BRAC UNIVERSITY it will be possible to: On 15 June 2016, Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, ! Take high quality photographs of land to Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRAC University signed a analyze vegetation, urbanization, flood, contract with the Kyutech, Japan for developing water resources, forestry etc. nano-satellite jointly.

Team with BoT Chairperson Annual Report 2016 | 19

BRACU New Campus Project

Background Rampura, Aftabnagar, Niketon, Mohakhali, Being recognized as a 'beautiful campus' goes Gulshan, and Baridhara Residential Areas. beyond just having curb appeal. A spectacular Area of land campus augments a university's image, thereby The total land area is approximately 5.18 acres or attracting more students, teachers and visitors. 2087 4. 7 sqm. The construction area (3 basements Since its inception, BRACU had a vision to build a and 13 floors above the ground) is approximately world class university campus. However, it was 1.6 million Sqft. very difficult to manage suitable land for the Description of the Campus and Building campus in Dhaka city. Following serious efforts by It is a 13 storey building with 3 basements. There is BRAC, it was possible to procure a piece of land an auditorium with 700 seats, a multipurpose hall suitably located at the city centre. Finally, this with 1850 seats, 135 classrooms, 41 labs, 10 design dream campus has started to turn into reality and studios, 6 lecture theatres, 475 car parking places, construction has started. rooftop playground, park, vertical transportation, WOHA Designs Pte Ltd., a Singapore based generators, substations, IT servers, UPS, CCTVs, world-renowned architectural firm and winner of solar panels, lifts, escalators, stairs, fire escapes, many prestigious international awards for faculty and administrative offices, teacher lounges, excellence in designs, was appointed as the a cafeteria, an e-library, recreation facilities and a design architect in May 2012 to design the lake. It has facilities to accommodate around BRACU new campus. Jalal Architects Ltd. was 15,000 students. It is a green conceptual building then engaged as the local architect to provide where natural light and air can easily flow into the local support to the design architect. Transsolar, building. Almost 50% of the land is used for building also a reputed international climate engineering and the rest for water body, lake, plantation and consultant, was engaged as the climate other purposes; which will protect biodiversity. The engineering consultant to assist the design team advanced, eco-friendly and attractive campus will in making the structure eco-friendly and energy enhance the university spirit, thereby creating a efficient. healthy and positive environment for the students. Location Campus Development Committee The new BRACU campus is located in the Centre of For developing of BRACU's new campus, a Communication at KHA 224, Progati Sarani, Campus Development Committee (CDC) is working Dhaka, in close proximity to Hatirjhil, Badda, round the clock. Vice Chancellor of BRACU is the 20 | Annual Report 2016 chair of the committee. The members of the Construction updates committee are Pro-VC, Treasurer, CFO BRAC & Construction work of BRACU's new campus BRAC International, Registrar BRACU of Project started in full swing after a formal construction Director, Project Adviser, Additional Chief Engineer commencement announcement made by Sir Fazle BRAC, Director Finance, BRACU, Consultant, etc. Hasan Abed, KCMG, Founder & Chairperson, The Committee reviews progress and takes major BRAC, and Chairperson, Board of Trustees, BRACU decisions. CDC is the main driving force behind the at BRAC Centre Conference Room on 22 December new campus. 2015. BRACU Donates Land to DESCO for Sub-Station In Phase-I, Piling work started in May 2016. Out of 648 BRACU had donated 19 decimal lands to DESCO piles 562 piles have been completed. Of the 101 for setting up sub-station in the BRACU Campus segments of D-wall 68 segments have already been area. Through this substation DESCO will supply constructed. The Phase-I construction is expected to uninterrupted electricity to BRACU new campus be completed by 15 May 2017. Phase-II and the main and the surrounding neighborhood. construction shall commence from 1st June 2017. Annual Report 2016 | 21

11th Convocation, BRAC University 2016

The 11th Convocation of BRAC University took place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (Naboratri, Hall-04), Dhaka on 05 December 2016. Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Education, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh nominated by Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, Hon'ble President People's Republic of Bangladesh and Chancellor of BRAC University, was present as the Chief Guest and presided over the ceremony. Professor Abdul Mannan Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh was present as the Hon'ble Guest. Ms. Actor and Social Activist graced the occasion as the Convocation Speaker.

This much-anticipated event saw the formal graduation of 1282 students with Zainab Syed Ahmed (B-Pharm) and Rafiath Rashid (MSc-ECD) receiving the Chancellor's Gold Medal and a further twenty-seven achievers (12 Undergraduates and 15 Postgraduates) from different departments receiving the Vice Chancellor's Medal. Five thousand guests, graduating students and their parents/guardians were joined by staff, faculty members, distinguished guests and media representatives. The Convocation procession

Beaming graduates: the smiles say it all! The Chief Guest joined the Convocation Procession after greeting members of Board of In his address, the Chief Guest and Hon'ble Trustees, Syndicate and Academic Council. As the Minister, Ministry of Education lauded the Chief Guest assumed his place on stage, the achievements of BRAC University in these words, national anthem was played and the formal ÔAvR Avgv‡`i me‡P‡q eo P¨v‡jÄ n‡”Q wkÿvi ¸YMZ gvb e„w× declaration of opening of the 11th Convocation was Kiv, hv eª¨vK wek¦we`¨vj‡qi AZ¨šÍ Aí mg‡qi g‡a¨ ev¯Íevqb made by the Cheif Guest. Ki‡Z mÿg n‡q‡Q| †`‡k gvb m¤úbœ wkÿvi Rb¨ hviv KvR K‡i 22 | Annual Report 2016

hv‡”Qb Zv‡`i Ab¨Zg n‡”Q eª¨vK wek¦we`¨vjq| GB Ae`v‡bi Rb¨ eª¨vK cwievi‡K RvbvB Avgvi AvšÍwiK Awfb›`b| Avwg AZ¨šÍ Ms. Shabana Azmi, the Convocation Speaker Avbw›`Z †h eª¨vK wek¦we`¨vj‡q ˆbwZK wkÿv Ges evsjv‡`‡ki advised the graduates to follow their own passion and take responsibility for the society. She quoted BwZnvmmg~n eva¨Zvg~jK Kiv n‡q‡Q|Õ 's Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as saying, 'Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

While addressing the Convocation UGC Chairman observed Ôeª¨vK wek¦we`¨vjq evsjv‡`‡ki Ab¨Zg kxl© †emiKvix wek¦we`¨vjq| †`‡ki cvkvcvwk The Vice Chancellor, Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, AvšÍR©vwZK cwigÛ‡jI cwiwPwZ jv‡fi weij †MŠie Zv in his welcome speech inspired students by stating; BwZg‡a¨B AR©b K‡i‡QÕ| "We too must take responsibility for many of our social ills; it is here where I hope that you – the graduating students and your cohorts, the new leaders – will have the courage and conscience to do the right things and the things right'.

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, Chairperson, BoT, BRACU, in his speech said, "I urge you to keep in mind that there is always an obligation beyond self. It is what you contribute to society that will engrave you in the collective memory, not what you have achieved for yourselves. We expect great things from you, and I am confident you will make us Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (Chair, BoT) hands over crest to the proud." Hon'ble Chief Guest. Annual Report 2016 | 23

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (Chair, BoT) hands over crest to the Graduates of 2016 Convocation Speaker

The Cheif Guest awarding gold medals to the proud recipients: Zainab Syed Ahmed of B-Pharm (left) and Rafiath Rashid of MSc-ECD (right)

UGC Chairman, Chairperson of BoT, Chief Guest & Vice Chancellor of BRACU 24 | Annual Report 2016

Postgraduate Programs Undergraduate Programs 200 177 180 350 312 160 300 140 250 120 100 200 80 56 150 60 111 47 47 100 40 29 28 19 55 55 14 43 51 51 20 7 5 9 9 5 50 38 33 3 3 20 18 14 0 5 4 3 0 ARC BBA EEE CS CSE ECE ECO ANT ENH LLB PHY APE MIC BIO PHR

Graduating Students Status 2016

Postgraduates 2739 Undergraduates 4614

Total Number of BRACU Graduates 2006-2016

1282

2016

30 SCHOOLS

BRAC Business School (BBS) James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) School of Law (SoL) 26 | Annual Report 2016

BRAC Business School

BBS (BBS) aims to improve effectiveness and Highlights of 2016 efficiency of managing business and non- Seminars & Events: business organizations through excellence in Seminar on “Opportunities and Challenges for business education, training, research and advisory services in preparing their future Sustainable Growth of the Pharmaceutical managers. BBS has a long tradition of academic Industry in Bangladesh” excellence. Students countrywide are attracted to A top management level seminar on “Opportunities BBS for its focus on delivering relevant and time- and Challenges for Sustainable Growth of the applicable education. Pharmaceutical Industry in Bangladesh” was held on 09 January 2016 organized by BRACU. The academic programmes that are currently Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Vice Chancellor, offered are Bachelor of Business Administration BRACU, Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, Ph.D., (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Adviser, BBS (BBS), Professor Hafiz G. A. Siddiki, Executive Master of Business Administration Professor Emeritus, BBS, Keynote speaker- (EMBA) and Master of Bank Management. The Professor Mahmud Hassan, Rutgers Business areas of specialization of the school are School, USA, Professor Syed Fahat Anwar, IBA, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, E-business, Dhaka University (DU), Mr. Mohammad Rezaur Human Resources Management, Computer Razzak, Head of Operations, BBS, Dr. Eva Rahman Information Management, Entrepreneurship and Kabir, Chairperson, Department of Pharmacy, Operations Management and International BRACU, S. M. Arifuzzaman, Coordinator, Business. Internship Committee, BBS adorned the ceremony. The growth of BBS can be seen in the table Nazmul Hasan MP, President of Bangladesh provided below: Pharmaceutical Industries Association, was present as a guest speaker. New Student Enrollment by Trimester Total Seminar on 'Importance of Service Marketing to BBA MBA EMBA Make a Sustainable Business' Spring 2016 194 56 17 267 BRACU Business Club (BIZ BEE) organized a Summer 2016 184 71 17 272 seminar on 'Importance of Service Marketing to Fall 2016 104 75 24 203 Make a Sustainable Business' on 26 January 2016. Total 482 202 58 742 The keynote speaker in this event was Dr. Graduated in 2016 312 177 47 536 Mohammed Tareque Aziz, Associate Professor of Annual Report 2016 | 27

Relationship Marketing, BBS. Professor Rahim B. discussed the BBS programmes and possible Talukdar, adviser of BBS was present as the chief linkage with the school in future. guest. Dr. Fazley Siddiq, Professor of University of New Seminar on “E-Commerce in Bangladesh” Brunswick visited BBS BIZ BEE had directed a seminar on 'E-Commerce BBS invited Dr. Fazley Siddiq, Professor of in Bangladesh' on 17 February 2016. The keynote University of New Brunswick, to give a speech on speaker in this event was Mr. Quazi Zulquarnain academic accreditation and PhD admission Islam, Country Manager of Kaymu Bangladesh. Mr. process to the faculty members of BBS on 16 Razib Ahmed, President of E-commerce August 2016. Vice Chancellor, Professor Saad Association of Bangladesh (ECAB), was also Andaleeb and Dr. Md. Tareque Aziz, Associate present at the event as the chief guest. Other Professor and Head of Operations of BBS were faculty members were also present at this event. present in the session along with other faculty Mr. Noman Hossain Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer, members. In his speech, Dr. Siddiq talked about the BBS briefly explained the e-commerce industry to process, advantages and challenges of getting the audience. AACSB accreditation. The seminar was designed for the university Teaching Pedagogy session at BBS students so that they can develop an enhanced BBS arranged a session on “Teaching Pedagogy” knowledge about the globally emerging business as a knowledge dissemination initiative open for all sector, e-commerce and make an accurate the faculty members of BBS on 29 September 2016 evaluation of its engagement in Bangladesh. at BBS conference room. Assistant Professor Seminar on “Review of Monetary Policy” Mahreen Mamoon conducted the seminar. BBS BRACU Business and Economics Forum (BEF) Adviser Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, Associate organized this seminar on 9 March 2016. The Professor and Head of Operations, Dr. Tareque Aziz programme was presided over by Dr. Salehuddin attended the session along with twelve faculty Ahmed, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and members. The session focused on the necessity of Professor of BBS, BRACU, Mr. S. M. Arifuzzaman, shifting from teacher-centred approach to more Assistant Professor, BBS, Adviser of BEF, Mr Fairuz student-centred methods of teaching and learning. Chowdhury, Lecturer, BBS, Mr. Shamim Ahmed, BBS Seminar on “Supply Chain Management the President of BEF, Vice Presidents and all the BBS organized a seminar on “Supply Chain members of BEF and the students of various Management (SCM): The Latest Innovation in departments of BRACU were also present at the Business” on 25 October 2016 in order to highlight lecture. the significance of SCM in academic and practical BBS Adviser Visited Canadian Business School levels based on local and global perspective. Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, Adviser, BBS paid a Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, Adviser of BBS, visit to Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, inaugurated the seminar by expressing the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on significance of SCM. The keynote speech was 20 July 2016. Professor Talukdar had meetings with delivered by Associate Professor Md. Mamun Dean Saul Klein and the Associate Director of MBA Habib, an eminent scholar on SCM. The current programme, Mr. Ivan Robertson. He also discussed scenario of the job market -locally and developing academic collaboration between internationally - was illustrated by Ferdoush Saleheen, a corporate specialist in SCM. Assistant Gustavson Business School and BBS in the near Professor Hasan Maksud Chowdhury coordinated future. this event at the auditorium of BRACU and BBS Adviser Visits University of British highlighted the rationale of SCM through various Columbia Business School, Canada examples. BEF was the organizing partner of the Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, Adviser, BBS, went to event. the Sauder School of Business of the University of BBS organized “Interns' Meet-Fall 2016” British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada on 11 August On 29 October 2016, BBS successfully organized 2016. He had valuable interactions with some of the this event for the current interns of BBS, at the senior management officials of the School and 28 | Annual Report 2016

BRACU auditorium. Professor Rahim B. Talukdar, winning team. The jury board comprised of Nazmul Adviser to the School, Professor Salehuddin Karim Chowdhury, Senior Vice President and Head Ahmed, Dr. Mohammed Tareque Aziz, Associate of Brands, City Bank Limited, Frédéric Jeanjean, Professor and Head of Operations, Md. Tamzidul Second Secretary, Australian High Commission, Islam, Assistant Professor and Internship Dhaka-Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Coordinator and Dr. Md. Mamun Habib, Associate Romena Parvin, Program Manager (Development Professor, and other faculty members of BBS were Cooperation), Australian High Commission, present at the event to discuss with the interns the Dhaka-Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most challenging yet exciting phase in their M.K. Aaref, Director, Edward M Kennedy Center for careers. Public Service and the Arts (EMK Center); crocodile BBS organized “Coffee with the CEOs” at farmer Mushtaq Ahmed, Managing Director, BAN BRACU Residential Campus in Savar Croc Ltd and COO, CHobiChai.com, and the Chair Reaz Ahmed, Assignment Editor, The Daily Star. On 29 October 2016, BBS organized an interactive session “Coffee with the CEOs” themed BRACU arranges Global Model United Nations “Bangladesh, a country of opportunities for Programme entrepreneurs and graduates,” for the BBS Organized by International Association of Business students during Fall semester attending their Communicators (IABC), BRACU and hosted by the Residential Semester in Savar. Around 130 Unversity, BRACU Global Model United Nations students attended the event, the purpose of which 2016 (BUGMUN) kicked off after an illuminating was to provide a platform for students seeking inauguration ceremony at the city's Army Golf opportunities to gain an insight on the corporate Garden on 15 December 2016. Chief Guest of the culture as well as receive guidance regarding their ceremony was Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, future involvement in the corporate world. Ph.D., Vice Chancellor of BRACU. Other well- Present at the panel were some very prestigious known personalities also graced the occasion as and accomplished individuals- Mr. Stephane key speakers. The secretary general of BUGMUN Norde, the Managing Director of Nestle was Upoma Rashid Nuha, and the Advisor of Bangladesh Ltd., Ms Rupali Chowdhury, Managing BUGMUN was Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam. Director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd., Dr. The only residential MUN conference of the Salehuddin Ahmed, Professor, BBS and former Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, Professor country, and with a total of 14 committees, the Rahim B. Talukdar, Advisor BBS and Dr. Tareque highest number of committees in a MUN on a Aziz, Associate Professor and Head of Operations, national basis, BUGMUN continued for a span of 6 BBS. days and 5 nights at BRACU's Savar Campus, with over 400 delegates from various national and The event, which ended with a question-answer international institutions. BUGMUN 2016 ended on session, was coordinated by Mr. Saif Hossain, a positive note and has successfully created its Senior Lecturer, BBS and Mr. Rehan Ahmed, own benchmark in the MUN circuit for years to Campus Superintendent, BRACU Savar Campus, come. and their teams. Conference & Workshop: BRACU announced regional finalist for HULT Workshop conducted by Associate Professor PRIZE Md. Mamun Habib at national & international A lively presentation on a social business idea level centering on providing low cost biodegradable ! Dr. Habib conducted a day-long workshop on sanitary napkins for sanitation and sustainable “Tips and Techniques to Publish International income for refugees stole the hearts of the judges Research Publications” organized by “Global and was awarded as the winner of “Refugees - Research & Development Services (GRDS)” at Reawakening Human Potential” challenge of Hult PAUM Clubhouse, University Malaya, Kuala Prize 2017 at BRACU on 1 December 2016. Chief Lumpur, Malaysia at the 2nd International Guest and BRACU Vice Chancellor Syed Saad Conference on Social Science and Humanities Andaleeb, Ph.D. presented the award to the Annual Report 2016 | 29

(ICSSH) on 25 May 2016. He also delivered the G. M. Shafayet Ullah, Senior Lecturer from BBS keynote speech at the same event. attended International Conference on Business ! To enrich research capacities Dr. Habib Management, Economics & Social Sciences conducted four workshops on “Research (ICBMESS 2016) Methodology” for the BBS faculty members. Mr. Shafayet presented his paper on The first workshop was conducted at BBS “Undergraduate University Student's Attitude Conference Room on 19 May 2016. It ended Towards Social Networking Sites: An Empirical successfully on 28 July 2016. A group of BBS Model on the Most Influencing Factors”. His well- faculty members joined the that workshop. executed presentation was followed by a lively Q&A ! Dr. Habib attended the 5th International session with participants from many countries Conference on Asian Economic Development BBS Faculty in News: (AED) which was organized by Faculty of ! Economics, Chiang Mai University, on Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was a designated 16-18 August 2016. As the Editor-in-Chief of Speaker at a dialogue organized by Policy SCOPUS-indexed Journal, Dr. Habib Research Institute and Channel 71 on 2 April conducted a workshop entitled “Meet the Chief 2016 where Dr. Akbar Ali Khan and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed also participated. Editor: Tips and Techniques for Research Publications”. ! Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was a designated discussant at a dialogue on governance in the ! Dr. Habib attended the Fifth International banking sector organized by “Shujon” a well- Conference on Advances in Economics, Social known civil society organization on 21 April Science and Human Behaviour Study 2016. The dialogue was attended, among (ESSHBS 2016) on 25-26 September 2016 at others, by Mr. Hafizuddin Khan Former Advisor, Hotel Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok, Caretaker Government, Professor Salehuddin Thailand, organized by IRED, USA. He also Ahmed, Ph.D., BBS and former Governor, delivered his keynote Speech on “Supply Bangladesh Bank. Chain Management (SCM): The Latest Innovations in Research”. ! Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was a panelist at a discussion session on critical constraints being ! As the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal faced by Bangladesh economy organized by of Supply Chain Management (IJSCM) - Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Scopus Indexed journal, Dr. Habib, facilitated on 24 April 2016. The participants included a day-long workshop on 18 October 2016 at Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Vice- Persada Johor International Convention chancellor, BRACU and eminent economists Centre, Johor Baru, Malaysia. and business leaders of Bangladesh. G. M. Shafayet Ullah, Senior Lecturer from BBS ! Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was the Chief Guest at attended International Conference in Los the launching of a new investment product Angeles, USA “Easy Invest” by IDLC Investment Limited on 9 Mr. Shafayet Ullah attended the 2nd Los Angeles August 2016. International Business and Social Science ! Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam chaired a session on Research Conference 2016 (LAIBSSRC 2016) on “Financing Development in South Asia: 28-30 October 2016, where he presented his Avenues and Institutional Arrangements” in the paper on “Undergraduate University Student's Ninth South Asia Economic Summit. The Attitude Towards Social Networking Sites: A Study panelists at the session included Dr. on the Most Influencing Factors”. Salehuddin Ahmed Professor BRACU and Research paper published in Journal of former Governor Bangladesh Bank. The discussions highlighted the need for use of Strategic Marketing various avenues for raising resources, cost- An original research article of Dr. Khan Md effective use of resources, sharing of success Raziuddin Taufique, Assistant Professor, BBS has cases in South Asia and ensuring that been published in the October 2016 issue of resources are used to address the needs of 'Journal of Strategic Marketing' (an 'A' ranked the under privileged. journal) by Taylor & Francis. The title of the paper is ! “The Influence of Eco-Label Knowledge and Trust Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam participated in an Expert on Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in An Group Meeting convened by the Centre for Emerging Market”. Policy Dialogue on 29 November 2016. 30 | Annual Report 2016

! Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam spoke at the award giving Industrial Visit to Akij Ceramics Ltd. ceremony for companies with best corporate As a partial requirement of the course 'Industrial governance on 24 December 2016. Dr. Moshiur Relations', BBS organized an industrial visit at Akij Rahman, Economic Advisor to the Prime Ceramics Ltd. on 27 May 2016. The objective of the Minister was the Chief Guest at the event. industrial visit was to provide students an insight Study Tour: “Jano Bangladesh” regarding contemporary industrial relations management issues and also the implications of Jano Bangladesh is an initiative taken by BBS. It is a Bangladesh labour law 2006 practiced at the part of a marketing major course named “Brand industrial level. The industrial tour was led by Ms Management” and a dream project of Rahma Humaira Naznin, Senior Lecturer of BBS. Akhter, a faculty of BBS. Basically it is a series of study tours to different locations of Bangladesh to Day long trip to “Shishu Polli Plus” identify the prospects of the places. It is a On 4 June 2016, a day-long trip to a UK-based comparative study which might have a significant social organization “Shishu Polli Plus” in Sreepur, contribution for tourism and its establishment in was successfully led by Ms. Nusrat Hafiz, Bangladesh. The second phase of the tour was on 3 Lecturer, BBS. The team consisted of student-body March 2016 to “Birishiri-Netrokona”.The third from “Principles of Entrepreneurship” and phase of tour was on 21 April 2016 to Ratargul and “International Business” courses. Lalakhal. Annual Report 2016 | 31

James P. Grant School of Public Health

Introduction to JPGSPH · Global faculty from 15 international academic James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), institutions also referred to as the BRAC School of Public · Access to over 30 urban and rural field sites Health, was founded with a distinctive mission in Launched in 2005, our Master of Public Health mind: to address the unmet public health (MPH) programme strives to produce public health challenges particular to Asia, Africa and South leaders who “think out of the box.” By exposing America. Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the them to the myriad of public health challenges in School was established in 2004 as part of BRAC disadvantaged communities, we prepare them to University - a premier higher education and actively work towards finding local and global development research institution. JPGSPH's solutions. With its “field-to-classroom” philosophy, institutional partners are BRAC and icddr,b. The the School moves away from the traditional school works in partnership with 70 international pedagogical approach to public health and and over 52 national organisations and institutes in provides a unique education environment. In 2016, our four core areas of Education, Training, 57 students graduated from the 11th batch of our Research and Advocacy. MPH programme. The same year, the School Education warmly welcomed 31 students for its 12th batch of · Over 395 graduates since 2005 MPH students, who are expected to graduate in · Alumni from 26 countries January 2017. 32 | Annual Report 2016

Training The School has been training future junior research · Approximately 5,300 development professionals scientists and public health professionals in a trained since 2007 programme environment rich in learning, solutions and service orientation to prepare public health · 7 national and 17 international training partners leaders and innovators dedicated to improving In 2007 the School established a training unit. The public health. The School's research is conducted Centre for Professional Skills Development (CPSD) primarily under our four Centres of Excellences, is a national and international training hub to which are: strengthen and upgrade the requisite professional · Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health skills utilised by practitioners, policymakers, and Rights (established in 2008), focusing on development partners, government officials, public gender and health on bodily rights, integrity, and advocates, faculty, researchers and frontline health service delivery. workers. In 2016, JPGSPH trained 280 health and · Universal Health Coverage (established in development professionals through 14 short 2012), working towards achieving universal courses and workshops, which fall under four main health coverage and improvement of the clusters: Critical and Emerging Issues in Public broader health systems. Health; Research and Capacity Development; Project Management and Monitoring and · Urban Equity and Health (established in 2013), Evaluation; and Statistical Tools, Data focusing on health equity challenges of the Management and Analysis. urban poor with an emphasis on urban health The School's long-established seminar series governance fosters capacity development by bringing experts · Science of Implementation and Scale-Up together to share their knowledge on critical public (established in 2016), documenting best health issues. In 2016, CPSD conducted nine practices, institutionalising capacity-building seminars on various themes, including arsenic and bridging the worlds of academia and policy- water, staging class, affecting sexuality in making. Bangladeshi hijra dance, health insurance scheme, Advocacy maternal screening, understanding dengue transmission, assessment and prevention of · Over 190 advocacy events facilitated hunger, approaches to dealing with natural · Training curriculum developed for 53,500 disasters, and micro-narratives in research and government officials which now include topics advocacy. on sexuality with rights-based approach · 160 participants received training on all aspects Research of SRHR so far · 4 Centres of Excellences · Over 500 national and international leaders · 150+ national and international research brought together by the Urban Symposium projects since inception · 5 Bangladesh Health Watch Reports have been · 536 articles in journals, books and book published chapters since 2004 · 5 reports have been published on Food Security JPGSPH has developed its research capacity Nutritional Surveillance Project within different spheres of public health, engaging in a wide range of studies on health and · Network of 76 national and international development. In 2016, the School was involved in partners over 30 projects, ranging on health and JPGSPH's advocacy effort is a result-oriented development issues of national and global method, which measures effectiveness through importance including gender equity, health equity, policy and programme reform, and documenting health workforce, human rights and health, processes and outcomes. The School's research implementation science, infectious diseases, projects and educational curriculum have in-built maternal and child health, nutrition, programme advocacy components to address issues ranging evaluation, sexual and reproductive health, from ensuring universal health coverage, holding sexuality, surveillance, and urban health. policymakers and influencers accountable on Annual Report 2016 | 33 health sector reform, breaking the shame and Current Urban Studies. 4. Available from: taboos around sexual reproductive health and http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/cus.2016.41001. bodily rights, and pushing for the urban agenda in a Dohyeong, K., Sarker, M., & Vyas, P. (2016) Role of larger platform. In 2016, we were engaged in over spatial tools in public health policymaking of 12 advocacy initiatives, including policy dialogues, Bangladesh: opportunities and challenges. Journal media engagement activities, and international of Health, Population and Nutrition. 35 (8). Available symposiums among others. from: http://www.jhpn.org/content/pdf/s41043- Developing Midwives Project 016-0045-1.pdf. · 402 students are enrolled Jaenisch, T., Tam, D.T.H., Kieu, N.T.T., NGO, T.V., · 178 students successfully graduated Nam, N.T., Kinh, N.V., Yacoub, S., Chanpheaktra, N., Kumar, V., See, L.L.C., Sathar, J., Sandoval, E.P., · 170 graduated midwives passed the BNMC Alfaro, G.M.M., Laksono, I.S., Mahendradhata, Y., licensing examination Sarker, M., Ahmed, F., Caprara, A., Benevides, B.S., · 162 midwives joined various maternity centres Marques, E.T.A., Magalhaes, T., Brasil, P., Netto, as registered midwives M., Tami, A., Bethencourt, S.E., Guzman, M., The Developing Midwives Project (DMP) has Simmons, C., Quyen, N.T.H., Merson, L., Dung, implemented a three-year Diploma in Midwifery N.T.P., Beck, D., Wirths, M., Wolbers, M., Lam, P.K., Education since 2013. This project is being Rosenberger, K. & Wills, B. (2016) Clinical implemented with financial support from UKaid at evaluation of dengue and identification of risk seven academic sites in six districts across the factors for severe disease: protocol for a country. DMP aims to draw young women from multicentre study in 8 countries. BMC Infectious disadvantaged rural and urban communities in the Diseases. 16 (120). Available from: country and educate them to become competent http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/1 midwives. In 2016, all seven academic sites 0.1186/s12879-016-1440-3. received approval and accreditation from Ministry Rawal, L.B., Mahmud, K., Islam, S.M., Mahmud, of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and R.A., Nuruzaman, M. & Ahmed, S.M. (2016) Training Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council mid-level health cadres to improve health service (BNMC). delivery in rural Bangladesh. Primary Health Care To orient the local community on the important role Research & Development. played by midwives during the birthing process, an Ahmed, S.M., Rawal, L.B., Chowdhury, S.A., orientation programme was organised to introduce Murray, J., Arscott-mills, S., Jack, S., Hinton, R., the graduated midwives to the and union Alama, P.m. & Kuruvillah, S. (2016) Cross-country levels. With support from BRAC's Health, Nutrition analysis of strategies for achieving progress and Population programme, a total of 69 upazila towards global goals for women's and children's level and 116 union level orientations were health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 94 completed in 2016, strengthening the links (5). Available from: between midwives and government officials in the http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/5/15- community to build a joint work force dedicated to 168450/en/ save the lives of mothers and new-borns in communities. Shahabuddin, A.S.M., Nostlinger, C., Delvaux, T., Sarker, M., Bardaji, A., De Brouwere, V., & Broerse, Publications J.E.W. (2016) What Influences Adolescent Girls' Decision-Making Regarding Contraceptive Journal articles Methods Use and Childbearing? A Qualitative Dossajee, H., Obonyo, N. & Ahmed, S.M. (2016) Exploratory Study in Rangpur District, Bangladesh. Career preferences of final year medical students at P l o s O n e . 11 (6). Available from: a medical school in Kenya A cross sectional study. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304362 BMC Medical Education.16 (5). Available from: 548_What_Influences_Adolescent_Girls%27_Deci http://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/1 sion Making_Regarding_Contraceptive_Methods_ 0.1186/s12909-016-0528-1 Use_and_Childbearing_A_Qualitative_Exploratory Hasib, E. & Chathoth, P. (2016) Health Impact of _Study_in_Rangpur_District_Bangladesh Climate Change in Bangladesh: A Summary. 34 | Annual Report 2016

Rabbani, A., Khan, A., Yusuf, S. & Adams, A. (2016) Barriers to Timely and Safe Blood Transfusion for Trends and determinants of inequities in childhood PPH Patients: Evidence from a Qualitative Study in stunting in Bangladesh from 1996/7 to 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh. PLOS One. 11 (12). Available International Journal for Equity in Health. 15 (186). from: Available from: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.137 https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/1 1/journal.pone.0167399 0.1186/s12939-016-0477-7. Book Chapters Sarker, M., Barua, M., Guerra, F., Saha, A., Aftab, A., Ahmed SM, Afsana K, Islam A, Ahmed F. (2016). Latif, A.H.M.M., Islam, S. & Islam, A. (2016). Double Reaching healthcare to grassroots. In: Hossain M, Trouble: Prevalence and Factors Associated with Kairy SN, Bayes A (editors). Driving development: A Tuberculosis and Diabetes Comorbidity in story of BRAC's evolution and effectiveness, Bangladesh. Plos One. 11 (10). Available from: Chapter Three. Dhaka: University Press limited https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27798659. (UPL). pp. Ginsburg, O., Bray, F., Coleman, M.P., Vanderpuye, V., Eniu, A., Kotha, S.R., Sarker, M., Huong, T.T., Monographs Allemani, C., Dvaladze, A., Gralow, J., Yeates, K., Ahmed YH, Hussain AMZ, Ahmed SM. (2016). Taylor, C., Oomman, N., Krishnan, S., Sullivan, R., Taking stock of Bangladesh health sector and Kombe, D., Blas, M.M., Parham, G., Kassami, N. & looking beyond 2015: gaps and challenges towards Conteh, L. (2016) The global burden of women's achieving Universal Health Coverage. Working cancers: a grand challenge in global health. The Paper Series No. 5. Dhaka: JPG BRAC School of Lancet. November 2016. Available from: Public Health. http://thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS01 Sarker M, Adib HI, Rasul F, Evans TG. BRAC 40-6736(16)31392-7/fulltext. Healthcare Innovation Program: Project Akhter, S., Anwar, I., Akter, R., Kumkum, F.A., Nisha, Operational Document. Center of Excellence for M.K., Ashraf, F., Islam, F., Begum, N., Chowdhury, UHC at JPGSPH and icddr,b. 2016 M.E., Austin, A., Islam, S.S. & Rahman, A. (2016). Annual Report 2016 | 35

School of Law

Founded in 2004, the School of Law (SoL) at BRAC to impart legal education and seek legal solutions University is a gateway through which students are that respect social, cultural and aesthetic needs of prepared for careers in law, in administrative the people. To meet this goal, it strives to impart to services, the judiciary and in the development its students not only the tenets of the law, but also sector. The four-year undergraduate programme at legal philosophy, rights-based issues and a the School of Law culminates into a Bachelor of broader awareness of the society they live in. Laws (LL.B.) degree for successful students. Graduates from the SoL are now pursuing careers Although the primary emphasis of the programme as lawyers, judges, corporate legal officers, is on law and the legal profession, given that law is development workers and academics. also intertwined with economics, development, In 2004, the SoL started its journey with six business and sociology, it also prepares students students. In the year 2016, the School had over 400 who are inclined to seek professions in other students. The following paragraphs give a brief disciplines. description of the activities of the faculty members The faculty of the SoL are handpicked for their and the students of the School for 2016. academic excellence and individual expertise. In 2015, the SoL went through some changes, with They bring with them teaching-learning the former Head of Undergraduate Studies, experiences from universities in Europe, Australia Professor K. Shamsuddin Mahmood becoming the and Asia. The faculty has individual expertise in the new Dean. Two members of faculty left to pursue areas of child rights, criminal law, gender studies, their PhD degrees in Australia and will complete business laws, international trade laws and human their degrees by 2018. In 2016, our faculty was rights; all of which are shared with the students in enriched by the appointment of two former School course work, workshops and lecture programmes of Law graduates, Ms. Khandker Tasnuva Haque, organised by the School. who completed her LL.M from Monash University Recognising BRAC's background and the goals and Mr. Farhaan Uddin Ahmed, who completed his and commitments of BRACU, the SoL endeavours LL.M from the University of Cambridge. 36 | Annual Report 2016

Conference/ Seminar/Talk/ Workshop · Time Limit for Settling Suits: Unavoidable Dr. Rizwanul Islam, Associate Professor was invited Dilemma for Judges, The Daily Star (Dhaka, to give a lecture on Literature Review and Bangladesh), 25 October 2016, at 12 (Weekly Reference Styles in Legal Research at the Law and Our Rights Page) Department of Law and Human Rights, University · About the Recruitment Process for Public of Asia Pacific, on 03 November 2016. Universities, The Independent (Dhaka, Dr. Rizwanul Islam - 'Judges as Legislators: Bangladesh), 10 October 2016, at 7 Benevolent Exercise of Powers by the Higher · A Step backwards in South Asia, The New Judiciary in Bangladesh with Not So Benevolent Straits Times (Malaysia), 3 October 2016, at 15 Consequences' (2016) 16(2) Oxford University · Futility of Cosmetic Road Safety Measures, The Commonwealth Law Journal (forthcoming) Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 21 September Dr. Saira Rahman Khan 'Cycle of Fear' a six-month 2016, at 7 research project with the World Organisation · DarulIhsan Case and LLB: Directives or Obiter against Torture (OMCT). Tentative date of Dicta? The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 16 publication is July 2017. August 2016, at 12 Mr. Farhaan Uddin Ahmed worked as Researcher · Restoring the Credibility of Grades in SSC and at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, HSC Examinations, The Daily Star (Dhaka, London until the end of August 2016 where he Bangladesh), 11 August 2016, at 7 conducted research on LGBTI issues on a global · The Restructuring of CHT Land Commission: An scale, primarily identifying and analyzing issues Ice Breaker?, The Daily Star (Dhaka, and barriers to LGBTI rights in nations of the Bangladesh), 6 August 2016, at 7 Commonwealth. · The Justifiability of BCB Playing Hardball, The Op-Ed by Professor K. Shamsuddin Mahmood: Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 13 July 2016, at 6 · Absence of limited liability partnership. The Daily Star, 29 November 2016 · Doha Round Failure Due Partly to Lack of MNC Interest, The Business Times (Singapore), 10 Op-Eds by Dr. Saira Rahman Khan: June 2016, at 20 · The Other Women. The Daily New Age, 08 · Is Legal Education in Private Universities Truly March 2016 Substandard? The Daily Star (Dhaka, · Of Bail and Bail Bandits. The Daily New Age, 18 Bangladesh), 4 June 2016, at 6 June 2016 · The Legality of Seeking Consular Access, The · Aquinas and the Rise of the Trojan Horse Laws. Independent (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 3 June The Daily New Age, 10 October 2016 2016, at 7 · Recalling Humanity. The Daily New Age, 21 · Restraints on the Judge-made Law, The Daily December 2016 Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 17 May 2016, at 12 (Weekly Law & Our Rights Page), Op-Eds by Dr. Md. Rizwanul Islam: · Sixteenth Amendment Debate: The Need for · For Greater Protection of Consumers, The Daily Calm and Reason, The Daily Star (Dhaka, Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 20 December 2016, Bangladesh), 9 May 2016, at 6 at 12 (Weekly Law & Our Rights Page) · Do Government Websites Have Enough Public · The Rohingya Imbroglio, The Independent Information? The Daily Star (Dhaka, (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 5 December 2016, at 6 Bangladesh), 4 May 2016, at 6, · US Withdrawal from TPP May Hurt Free Trade, · Synergy between Op-ed and Academic New Straits Times (Malaysia) 3 December 2016, Publishing, New Straits Times (Malaysia) 3 May at 16-17 2016, at 16 · If We Could be a Little More Parochial, The · Panama Papers and Some Inconvenient Truths, Independent (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 10 The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 27 April November 2016, at 6 2016, at 7 · Let the Banks Become Institutions, The · The Ban on Bowlers, The Daily Star (Dhaka, Independent (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 10 Bangladesh), 23 March 2016, at 6 November 2016, at 7 Annual Report 2016 | 37

· The (Not so) Dignified Exit of a Dignified Man, students in the programme to engage with The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 17 March communities in productive ways and with 2016, at 6 leadership abilities. The students will take at least · Delegated Laws in Bangladesh: Delegation of six courses offered by ENH, ESS and SoL. Functions without Bounds, The Daily Star Mr. Farhaan Uddin Ahmed has been serving as a (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 23 February 2016, at 12 Member of the Advisory Panel of BRACU Express; (Weekly Law & Our Rights Page) an independent student-run newspaper at BRAC · Bureaucratic Red Tape and Investment: An SC University since its very inception in August 2016. Decision, The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 1 Programmes February 2016, (silver jubilee special The SoL organized the first intra-university quiz supplement, part 1), at 38 competition-2016 which was held on 5 October · A Culture of Disdain for Farmers, The Daily Star 2016. The eight top teams battled through 9 rounds (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 9 January 2016 at 7 of questions on various topics comprising of · Epitomising Mismanagement in Public Banks, Bangladesh affairs, history, international affairs, The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 5 January sports, science, literature, and geography, art, and 2016, (Weekly Law & Our Rights Page), 12 culture. Contribution to the University and the A total of 84 teams consisting of three members Department each, from different disciplines participated in the Ms. Khandker Tasnuva Haque and Mr. Farhaan competition. The preliminary round was held on 2 Uddin Ahmed are involved in the training of October 2016. In the finals, "Pharma Phantoms" mooters at the SoL. The SoL participated in the became the champion. Team "Patriot" became the National Henry Dunant Moot Court Competition 1st runners-up and "Scribblers" became the 2nd 2016 and the team was coached by Ms. Khandker runners-up. Tasnuva Haque. SoL has initiated the yearlong The faculty of the SoL organized the competition. programme for training potential mooters for Mr. Farhaan Uddin Ahmed was the Quizmaster of various national and international moot court the Grand Final. competitions. At present, two separate moot teams Activities of Department Clubs are preparing for the International Round of the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition 2016-17 The BU Law Society (BULS) was founded in Fall and the National Roundof the Philip C. Jessup 2015 by merging the BU Law Club and the Moot International Law Moot Court Competition 2016- Court Society. Its adviser is Professor Saira 17. Both the teams are being coached by Mr. Rahman Khan, Ph.D., SoL. The following activities Farhaan Uddin Ahmed. were carried out by the BULS in 2016: · The regular District Court visit was organised on Dr. Saira Rahman Khan is responsible for 19th May 2016, where senior students were monitoring the progress of SoL students on taken to observe proceedings at the Dhaka probation and advising them on their future District and Sessions Court. courses. She is also the Course Coordinator. Since Summer 2016, she is the SoL Coordinator for the · Youth awareness programme on the BU Scholars programme. She was also involved in Implementation of the high court directions on the course development and selection for the stalking and sexual harassment was organised th Programme. BRACU started this programme in by the BULS on 30 March, 2016, with Summer 2016, for some of its best students. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad members as Students in the programme are enrolled in courses speakers. either offered exclusively for the Scholars' cohort, · A seminar with UNHCR regarding the world or from the pool of higher level courses from the refugee campaign was organised by BULS on participating departments. These courses help 14 June 2016. develop holistic analytical skills and writing and · Annual Iftar Party was organised by the BULS speaking abilities. The courses are also a pathway on 26 June 2016. to clearer thinking on complex matters enabling 38 | Annual Report 2016

· The BULS organised a seminar on e- Evidence BRAC Development Center on 13 December in Bangladesh on 19 July 2016, with former 2016. student and BU Law Club President Antara · The BULS moot team took part in the National Tasneem presenting the key-note paper. Henry Dunant memorial Moot Court Competition · BULS members participated in the workshop 2016 (Selection round) at the Canadian "Bangladesh Priorities youth forum" organized International University on 5 october 2016. DEPARTMENTS

Department of Architecture (ARC) Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS) Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Department of English and Humanities (ENH) Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS) Department of Pharmacy (PHR) 40 | Annual Report 2016 Department of Architecture

The Department of Architecture (ARC) started its complete a semester of professional training in journey in the semester of Spring 2002 with 15 architectural offices. The training is trans boundary students and 3 faculty members. However, over the in nature. Alongside Bangladesh, the students also years, it has grown and currently has 352 students undergo this training in India, Singapore, Hong and 25 full-time qualified members of the faculty. Kong, Malaysia and United States of America. The The department offers a 201 credits undergraduate department enjoys the privilege of students and degree in architecture. A total of 292 students have staff exchange with several European Universities graduated through its five-year degree program to under EMMAsia (Erasmus Mundus Mobility with date. Asia) and with the School of Architecture, University of Illinois, Chicago. The aim of the department is to ensure high quality education. Therefore, the size of the student intake Highlights of the Department, 2015 is limited to 25-30 per semester. Total Students 352 The academic atmosphere is characterized by rich Total Full-time faculty 25 co-curricular activities and a lively cultural life. It Graduating students 292 includes the Angan lecture series, the Arch.KIDS outreach program for children and the student Publications 2 cultural forum Moitree. Two prestigious awards Conferences and Public Lectures 4 "Noman Award for Excellence in Design" and "Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary for Students of Number of students completed Internship 38 Architecture" have been introduced to New Initiatives Implemented acknowledge the students' best performances in ARC launches its first ever student publication Folio the design studio. The department also organizes 1, an anthology of student academic projects from exhibition of the students' work and design the year 2012 to 2014. Folio 1 is a reflection of the charrettes. These develop inter-university wide range of fields that is pursued at ARC, BRACU communication and further the interest of the and its intimate involvement with architecture and students to strive for excellence. Practical training design communities worldwide. is a part of the curriculum. Students are required to Annual Report 2016 | 41

A design charrette “WE & WATER” was established Post Graduate Programme in Disaster to enhance lateral learning among the studios and Management has Signed an Agreement to be a increase students design interaction. Participant of ASCENT Project This year ARC brought fund for research and ASCENT (Advancing Skill Creation to Enhance publication sector. The department has landed an Transformation) is a project of the European international collaborative research grant under the Union's Erasmus+ programme-Key Action2 British Academy GCRF Sustainable Development Capacity building in the field of higher education. Scheme, UK. Title of the research is, 'The Last 100 The project is designed to address research and metres: Safeguarding potable water provisioning to innovation capacity strengthening for the unplanned settlements'. The Folio 1 publication development of societal resilience to disasters - has been sponsored by renowned architectural firm supporting training, skills, leadership development, Volumezero Ltd. international collaboration and university-industry partnerships. The project is coordinated by Undergraduate curriculum has been redesigned to University of Huddersfield involving 14 partner accommodate contemporary needs. Based on the universities from Europe and Asia including three recommendation of IAB and current academic universities from Bangladesh, namely BRAC trend, total required credit for graduation University, Dhaka University and Patuakhali redesigned from 203 to 180 and it is on process to Science and Technology University. Post Graduate be approved by the UGC. program in Disaster Management (PPDM), hosted Publication by ARC by ARC, BRACU has agreed to be a participant of the project. The kick-off meeting of this project took ARC launches student publication Folio 1 place in Sri Lanka in February 2016. A second BRACU has launched its first ever student executive committee meeting was held in publication Folio 1, an anthology of student University of Huddersfield in October 2016. Both academic projects from the year 2012 to 2014. A the meetings were attended by faculty members launching ceremony of Folio 1 was held at the from PPDM. university auditorium on 6 September 2016. The Architectural Design Cell Projects Editorial Panel consisting Prof. Fuad H. Mallick, Shams Mansoor Ghani, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, The newly established Architectural Design Cell of Farasha Zaman and Kazi Najee Hasan handed over ARC has signed an MoU with BRAC Institute of the inaugural copy of Folio 1 to Professor Syed Educational Development (BIED) to design and Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D, Vice Chancellor who graced supervise during construction of 65 play centre the event as the chief guest. across the country for pre-primary level children in September 2016. The compilation houses some 280 student projects that represent a huge variety of work. Moreover, the The BRAC Play Lab Project is a partnership of book also displays other additional studio based LEGO Foundation with BRAC International in student works such as those of landscape and Uganda and Tanzania, BRAC USA and the Centre interior designs, 3d visualization work, sculpture, for Play at BIED in Bangladesh. BIED has sought to painting and photography studios, etc. collaborate with a Design Consultancy and Supervision Consortium, namely Play Lab Design Research and Consultancy Consortium. The consortium is a consultancy The Last 100 metres: Safeguarding Potable service wing of the Architectural Design Cell, Water Provisioning to Unplanned Settlements Department of Architecture, BRACU led by the advisors from the department namely Khondaker ARC of BRACU has landed an international Hasibul Kabir, Assistant Professor, Shams Mansoor collaborative research grant under the British Ghani, Lecturer and Amir Ebn Sharif, Lecturer. The Academy GCRF Sustainable Development other team members are Farasha Zaman, Lecturer Scheme, UK. Title of the research is, 'The Last 100 and project coordinator and Subhi Nusrat Shama, metres: Safeguarding potable water provisioning to TA and volunteer coordinator for the consortium. unplanned settlements'. The total amount of The design cell has completed designing two play funding is 3,50,000/- GBP (appx.) to be shared by centre in Jirani and Savar area in collaboration with the partners. This 16 month long research is an architectural consultancy firm namely scheduled to take off between December 2016 - Ghorami.Jon by the end of December 2016. January 2017. 42 | Annual Report 2016

Besides, Architectural Design Cell has been architects under the Angan Lecture series was held appointed as consultant by BRAC Bank Ltd. for to mark the book launch event of 'Folio 1'. designing central cafeteria of its corporate head The panel discussion was moderated by Professor office in Tejgaon Gulshan Link road in December Fuad H. Mallick; the panelists being Architect Kazi 2016. Khaleed Ashraf, Architect Mohammad FoyezUllah, Events, Awards and Involvements Architect Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad and Architect BRAC University and Institute Sign Marina Tabassum. Architect Jalal Ahmed, Architect Major Agreement for Collaboration N R Khan, faculty members and students of A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was different architecture schools attended the lecture signed between the ARC BRACU, and Bengal along with all faculty members and students of Institute for Architecture, Landscape and ARC, BRACU. The event was organized by the Settlements on 1 August 2016 for conducting faculty members of the department namely Shams collaborative activities to face the challenges of Mansoor Ghani, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, Amir Ebn contemporary cities and environments. Proposed Sharif, Farasha Zaman, BidouraMosharraf, Rayeed activities will include joint programmes in Bin Yusuff. architectural and environmental education and Event for Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary for research, including developing advanced and Students of Architecture (RATB) post-graduate degree programmes. Professor The selection session and certificate giving Shaheda Rahman, Head of the ARC of BRACU, and ceremony of Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary for Professor , Director-General of Students of Architecture was held on 10 October Bengal Institute, signed for their respective 2016. Ar. Rafiq Azam, Principal Architect of institutions. The event was also attended by Sir Shatotto, Mohammad Faruk, Department in Fazle Abed, Chairman of BRAC, Mr Abul Khair, Charge, Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Assistant Chairman of Bengal Foundation, Professor Syed Professor, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, Senior Lecturer Saad Andaleeb, Vice-Chancellor of BRACU, and and Coordinator of RATB was present at the event. other eminent architects and educationists. The Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary, 2016 was awarded Celebration of the Third Cycle of The Noman to Aniqa Nawar, fifth year student of ARC, BRACU. Award for Excellence in Design (NAED) 2015 Tasmia Kamal, winner of RATB 2015 was awarded ARC, BRACU celebrated the third cycle of the the certificate in the same event upon completion of Noman Award for Excellence in Design (NAED) her travel assignment to Sri Lanka. 2015 on 17 January 2016. Through this event, the Faculty members spent one month as teaching department celebrated the best design from the Faculty in Portugal Under Staff Mobility graduating batch of 2015. The award giving Program of EMMAsia ceremony was followed by an exhibition of the shortlisted projects. Vice Chancellor of BRACU Md. Shajjad Hossain, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Professor Tanjina Khan, faculty members of ARC visited Shaheda Rahman, Khaled Noman and Ar. Jalal Evora under Erasmus Mundus mobility program Ahmad graced the occasion. Eminent architects (EMMAsia) in 2016. They were awarded this staff Saif ul Huq, Kazi Khaled Ashraf were also present at mobility award to spend one month in one EU the event. partner universities for improving their personal skills and knowledge in the related field. This A jury panel has selected the project titled 'People month-long visit created scope for exchanging of the Water' by Kazi Najeeb Hasan as the winning views and experiences between BRACU and the project. Professor Shaheda Rahman, Professor University of Evora. Fuad H. Mallick, Khaled Noman AIA, Professor Zainab F. Ali, and Mohammad Foyez Participation in the Training on Urban Rainwater Ullah were the members of the Jury Panel. The Harvesting System event was coordinated by Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, Dr. Mohammad Faruk, current In-charge of the Senior Lecturer of ARC, BRACU. Department has participated in the 3 day long Panel Discussion Among Renowned Architects training on Urban Rainwater Harvesting System A panel discussion on the topic 'Architectural held on 24-27 September 2016 at Chuti Resort, Education for Tomorrow' by eminent Bangladeshi Joydebpur, Gazipur. WaterAid Bangladesh in Annual Report 2016 | 43 collaboration with Centre for Science and Habib, Salauddin Patash and Khandaker Hasibul Environment (CSE), India arranged this training in Kabir. Bangladesh to create wider opportunities for Seminar on Gender, Climate Change and the architects, civil engineers, environmentalists, urban Built Environment planners, policy-makers and development practitioners who have an interest in the theory, Architectural Studies Cell of the Department of practice and policies of rainwater harvesting Architecture organized a research seminar system. “Gender, Climate Change and the Built environment" in 12 January 2016. Dr. Huraera Participation in Workshop on Graduate Jabeen, Assistant Professor of the department Attributes and the Development of Programme, shared her research experience using her findings Mission, Goals and Learning Outcome from the recent research project in Khulna to Dr. Huraera Jabeen and Md. Shajjad Hossain, discuss the interdisciplinary nature of resilience to faculty members of the ARC attended the climate change; also the possible contributions of workshop organized by the Institute of Architects built environment professionals. Bangladesh (IAB). The workshop was initiated from Contract Signing for the Fab-Lab, Department realizing the scope of improvement from teaching oriented content to student oriented learning in the of Architecture Completed curricula of public and private universities of The HEQEP AIF RIII funded Sub-Project, Bangladesh. North South University hosted the Fabrication Lab for ARC, BRACU has completed its event on 28 January 2016. last procurement activity through an Open Tender Method to procure Specialized IT equipment for the Humanitarian Contribution to Fire Hazard lab. A contract has been signed between the Victims of Korail Slum and Sat Tola Slum Department of Architecture, BRAC University & the Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Assistant Professor and winning Bidder, M/S Electrohome on 18 August Sadia Subrina, Senior Lecturer from ARC have 2016. volunteered to rebuild the houses for fire hazard victims of Korail slum and Sat Tola Slum after a fire AIF Management Specialist, HEQEP Visits Fab- broke out on 4 and 12 December 2016. The Lab, ARC, BRACU contribution included the consultation regarding Professor Dr. Md. Muhibur Rahman, Ph.D., AIF existing problems and how to improve the existing management specialist of HEQEP and former condition with more usable space, ventilation and member of the University Grants Commission of daylight, documentation of existing house layout Bangladesh (UGC) has visited the Fab-Lab on 14 (pre-fire) plan, and design proposals. J. A. August 2016. It is an ongoing project, funded under Architects, BRAC's Urban Development the HEQEP AIF RIII. During his visit, Dr. Rahman Programme (UDP), North City Corporation, CBO met the project team, enquired about overall Korail were the main supporting bodies to reach out progress and its achievements and performance. to the victims of fire hazard and organize this All sub-project management team members Dr. programme. Rubaiya and Sadia were also part of Mohammad Faruk, Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, the organizing team for a 'House Design Camp' A.K.M. Sirajuddin, Abul Fazal Mahmudun Nobi, where they worked with 29 house owners of the Sat Riffat Farjana, Jasinta Sylvia Gomes were present Tola slum whose 115 houses were gutted due to a in the meeting. fire on 11 December 2016. Student's Skill Development Workshop Students and Faculties Attend Sessions at On 28 May 2016, Fabrication lab for ARC, arranged Bengal Institute a workshop on non-Euclidean geometry. The The students of ARC 412 Landscape Design along workshop, 'Palimpsest', was based on the future of with course tutors Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Saiqa architectural model making with Fab Lab for the Iqbal Meghna and Badruzzahan Ahmed have skill development of the students of Architecture. attended several sessions the Bengal Institute for The workshop was conducted by Dr. Mohammad Architecture, Landscape and Settlements as part Faruk, Abul Fazal Mahmudun Nobi and Riffat of an agreement between the Department of Farjana. The whole workshop was based on the Architecture BRAC University and the Bengal discussion of rapid prototyping, materiality and Institute. They attended sessions lead by fabrication techniques. Team members Sheikh prominent architects and academicians including Rubaiya Sultana and A.K.M. Sirajuddin were also Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, Marina Tabassum, Iqbal present. 44 | Annual Report 2016

Fab Lab Starts Operating on Trial Run Basis Assistant Professors of Department of Architecture Fabrication lab for the students of Architecture , facilitated the Arch.KIDS. under HEQEP AIF R III has started operating on trial Faculty Elected as Secretary of Heritage and run basis. All of the four machines namely 3D Culture at IAB: printer, 3D scanner, laser cutter and CNC router has Dr. Sajid Bin Doza, Assistant Professor of reached in Fab Lab. Two students from 5th year Architecture, was elected as the Secretary of have carried out their jury with 3D printed model for Heritage & Culture in the 22nd Executive Council of the first time in BRACU. Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) on 2 Seminar of Architectural Studies Cell December 2016. Architectural Studies Cell of ARC organized a Training on Open Street Map seminar on 24 May 2016 with work of two fifth year Shams Mansoor Ghani, Attended a training on students. Asad Bin Sayed presented his paper “The “Open Street Map (OSM)” as part of the Data 4 Journey of Becoming an Architect in Bangladesh: Action project of the Disaster Management Motivation, Expectation, and Experience of programme on 02-03 September 2016 Students”. Khandoker Upama Kabir presented her paper on “Space Sharing in Shared Apartments Study Tour and its Impact on the Lives of BRAC University Study tour to Housing and Building Research Students”. Both the papers were prepared for the Institute (HBRI) course ARC 511: Seminar I. Students of design studio ARC 301 went to HBRI Student Achievements in Design Charrette on 22 May 2016 as part of their design project Tasmia Kamal Proma and Muntasir Hakim, 'Designing a Flood Resilient House'. The tour was students of the ARC, BRACU won the 2nd and 3rd guided by studio teachers Huraera Jabeen, Sadia prize respectively in an open design charrette Subrina and Manal Anis. among 80 submissions organized by ARC, North Study tour to Shadhinata Stambha South University on 07 March 2016. Students of ARC 202 Design IV visited Shadhinata Exhibition of ARC 201 Design III Studio Projects stambha at Sohrawardi Uddyan on 07 February Students of ARC 201 Design III, exhibited their 2016 tour as part of their design project . Studio studio works of Fall 2015 from 10-12 January 2016. Tutors Amir Ebn Sharif, Manal Anis and Space and form relationships: awareness of scale Badruzzahan Ahmed guided the tour. and proportion and nature of enclosure. The studio Study tour with Professor Dwijen Sharma was guided by Professor Shaheda Rahman, Sheikh The students of ARC 412 Landscape Design visited Rubaiya Sultana and Nandini Awal. The 3 day long Ramna Park with renowned Bangladeshi naturalist exhibition was inaugurated by Professor Fuad H. Professor Dwijen Sharma on 30 September 2016. Mallick and Professor Zainab Faruqui Ali. Studio tutors Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Saiqa Iqbal Design Studio 102 Exhibits their Projects Meghna and Badruzzahan Ahmed. Students of Design Studio II, ARC 102 exhibited Conference and Public Lectures four of their studio works. Vice Chancellor of BRAC Best Paper Award Received at International University Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb along Conference with Chairperson Professor Shaheda Rahman, visited their works. Studio tutors Iftekhar Ahmed, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed, Assistant Professor, ARC nd Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Tazkia Tasnim Labonno received the best paper award in the 2 NZAAR coordinated the exhibitions. International event series on Natural and Built Environment, Cities, Sustainability and Advanced Arch.KIDS Rethinking Waste as Resource Engineering held in Kuala Lumpur on 8 December Sixth grade students of the Chittagong Grammar 2016. The conference was organized by New School, Dhaka participated in Arch.KIDS: an Zealand Academy of Applied Research (NZAAR). outreach programme of the ARC, BRACU on 11 Dr. Iftekhar also chaired a session of the February 2016. 'Reuse Recycle Reinvent' focused conference. The title of his paper was “Coping on the waste children generate in their everyday life, gender inequality through home based work: a and make them aware of recycling and reusing. Dr. study of adaptive micro scale work environments in Huraera Jabeen and Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Korail slum, Dhaka”. Annual Report 2016 | 45

International Conference on Social Business Architecture, to present the landscape design built Sheikh Rubaiya Sultana, Assistant Professor, ARC at the premise of Faculty of Social Sciences at had joined Social Business Academia Conference Dhaka University on 27 December 2016. The title of 2016 at HEC, Paris, France on 9-10 November her presentation was 'A Momentary Pause in Time: 2016. The Conference was jointly hosted by HEC Transforming A 'Non-Place' Through Architecture School of Management, Paris, France and Yunus as Landscape'. This work is also published in Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ms Rubaiya's paper Context BD, an online platform for architecture. titled “Social Business: Scope for bridging the gap List of Publications between Research and Practice of Sustainable Ahmed, Iftekhar (2016) “Coping gender inequality Housing Development for the low income people in through home based work: a study of adaptive Bangladesh”. micro scale work environments in Korail slum, nd International Conference on Landscape and Dhaka”, in the 2 NZAAR International event series Urban Horticulture on Natural and Built Environment, Cities, Dr. Sajid Bin Doza, Assistant Professor, ARC, Sustainability and Advanced Engineering, 8 attended the 6th International Conference on December, NZAAR, Kuala Lumpur. Landscape & Urban Horticulture held at Iqbal Meghna, Saiqa (2016) 'E-Library of Faculty Agricultural University of Athens, Greece from 21- of Business Studies at Dhaka University', DOT, a 24 June 2016. His presentation title was Buddhist journal on Art & Architecture. Issue 3, Volume 01, Architecture in the Ancient Landscape of Delta: March 2016 Principles behind choosing the contextual Internships landscape. Total 38 students have completed internship in Built Project Presented at Mongolbarer Shabha 2016. Besides local architectural offices, this year and Published Online the students have gained their internship Saiqa Iqbal Meghna, Senior Lecturer of ARC was experiences from prominent architectural offices invited by Mongolbarer Shabha, a forum for located in Korea, China, Sri lanka and India. 46 | Annual Report 2016

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

The Department of Computer Science and serve as visiting faculty members, teaching classes Engineering (CSE) is deeply committed to BRAC where their real-life experiences allow greater University's tradition of excellence and leadership depth of learning for the students. Honourable Pro- in engineering education and research. The Vice Chancellor Dr. Farhat M. Iftekharuddin is department operates under the School of currently serving as the chairperson of the Engineering and Computer Science (SECS), and is Department. Professor and adviser Dr. Md. Haider driven by the dual goals of offering a world-class, Ali serves on several national committees. Dr. broad-based undergraduate programme and a Khalilur Rahman, one of the most prominent strong research culture centered on our faculty researchers in the department, leads the Robotics members and graduate students. The CSE Lab. The lab has completed several immensely Department has the distinction of being one of the successful projects, and is one of the leaders in first departments to be launched in Spring 2001, robotics research in the country. when BRAC University officially began its journey. CSE takes pride in upholding BRACU values in Since its inception, the CSE has taken great strides providing the best quality teaching and mentoring toward achieving international standards. At services. All full-time faculty members hold regular present, the department offers the following office hours, and all freshman level courses provide academic programmes: tutorial sessions for students to get a better · Bachelor of Science in Computer Science understanding of the material. High-performing (B.Sc. in CS) students in their Junior and Senior years are employed as student tutors, which provides the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and · freshman students with additional resources, and Engineering (B.Sc. in CSE) enhances the academic profile of the tutors. · Master in Computer Applications (MCA) All undergraduate students are paired with faculty · Master of Science in Computer Science and advisors, who monitor their performance, counsel Engineering (M.Sc. in CSE) them in the event of unsatisfactory results, and help · Master of Engineering in Computer Science and them find appropriate resources to address any Engineering (M.Engg. in CSE) obstacles they are facing in their academic lives. The Office of Student Affairs provides substantial Besides these academic programmes, the faculty help in assisting the department in achieving these members are leading major research projects in goals. Image Processing, Cloud Computing, Robotics, Bio-Informatics, and Machine Learning, to name a The department provides seminars, workshops, few areas. Several individuals from industry also and tutorial sessions on advanced material, like Annual Report 2016 | 47 app development, graphics and animation, and understanding (MoU) a couple of years ago and is competitive programming. Tutorials are held on now helping it to be launched the nanosat through evenings and weekends. Some faculty members Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and also provide additional classes for interested the International Space Station (ISS). students, where they cover a variety of On September 2016, a paper titled “A Novel programming languages and other useful Modified SFTA Approach for Feature Extraction” materials. rd was presented at the 3 International Conference The department encourages students to get on Electrical Engineering and Information & involved in the diverse ongoing research projects. Communication Technology by Assistant Professor The research culture within the department is on a Dr. Jia Uddin's research student Md. Junayed steady rise and promises great dividends in the Hasan and was awarded a best poster paper. near future. Faculty members are also serving in Student Arafat Habib's paper titled “Optimal Route advisory capacities in prestigious organizations like Selection in Complex Multi-stage Supply Chain Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), Bangladesh Networks using SARSA”, was awarded best paper Association of Software and Information Services in the 19th International Conference on Computer (BASIS), and Bangladesh Open Source Network and Information Technology (ICCIT 2016), NSU, (BDOSN). Dhaka, Bangladesh. Highlights of 2016 On October 2016, Assistant Professor Dr. Md. On 15 June 2016, Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ashraful Alam visited Chungbuk National Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRACU signed a contract University (One of the ten flagship government with the Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, on universities in Korea) as a Foreign Expert. Dr. Alam behalf of BRACU to collaboratively build the first had conducted a Seminar on “3D Image experimental university Nano-Satellite of Acquisition and Reconstruction Techniques based Bangladesh, designed, developed and assembled on Integral Imaging” on 19 October 2016 at the by three students of BRACU- Raihana Shams Islam School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Antara, Abdulla Hil Kafi and Maisun Ibn Monowar Chungbuk National University, South Korea. on a mission titled “Joint Global Multi-Nation During his visit, Dr. Alam had also demonstrated BIRDS Satellite” with the acronym “BIRDS several experiments for “Real-time 3D imaging Project”. The Nano-Satellite was named Onnesha system: acquisition, processing and display” in 3B in which the three Bs stand for Bangladesh, Optical Information Processing (OIP) Laboratory BRAC University and BIRDS Project. Alongside under the Department of Information and Bangladesh, the other four member-countries in Communication Engineering in Chungbuk this project are Japan, , and National University. Dr. Nam Kim, a Professor, and . Director of OIP Lab, Department of Information Associate Professor, Dr. Khalilur Rahman has been and Communication Engineering had invited Dr. Alam for the visit. leading the project work as Principal Investigator. Among others Professor A. A. Ziauddin Ahmad, On April 2016, The ICT division organized a Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and National Hackathon contest to discover digital Natural Sciences, Colonel Md. Nasim Parvez, solution of ten social-public problems using mobile Director General, Spectrum Division of BTRC and or web application. From one hundred teams of Mr. Mitsutake Numahata, Counselor, Embassy of different universities, two teams of CSE Japan were present as special guests during the Department stood as champion in the sustainable signing ceremony. Dr. Arifur Rahman Khan, tourism and violence against women problems. Assistant Professor, University of Texas at El Paso, Team members of “Droid Digger” and “Code USA, Mr. Mengu Cho, Professor, Kyushu Institute of Breaker” are- Mihodi Hasan Lushan, Fazle Rabbe Technology, Japan, and the three students joined Rushu, Monwar Jahan Mufad, Sakib, Hosne the session through video conferencing. It is to be Mobarak, and Md Niaz Sharif. Another team (“Sudo mentioned that Kyushu Institute of Technology has Green”) comprising of Masnur Rahman and Sabbir been with BRAC University's nanosat launching Bin Azad achieved the second runner up position in process since the signing of a memorandum of Environment in City problem. 48 | Annual Report 2016

BRACU Robotics Club prepared “Mongol Tori” for University from Alison J. Derbenwick Miller, Vice University Rover Challenge (URC) and submitted President, Oracle Academy, Oracle's Ireland Office. the critical design review report. “Mongol Tori” In May 2016, Mr. Annajiat along with Dr. Md. Haider received invitation from the organizers to Ali and Abu Mohammad Hammad Ali from CSE participate in the European Rover Challenge (ERC). Department worked on improving course designs Dr. Khalilur Rhaman supervised the project. A jointly with Dr. Golam Jamil, Assistant Director, and group of students from BRACU supervised by of Dr. Sabrina Syed, Lecturer, Professional Development Khalil, achieved the “Best Young Innovator” award Centre (PDC). On 2 June 2016, Mr. Annajiat at the “Solve-a-thon” competition at "Digital participated in multiple research workshops Innovation and City Branding Fair ()" organized by Ayesha Abed Library jointly with under Access to Information (a2i) Programme, Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) e.g. Prime Minister's Office for the project titled Learn your Library and Introduction to Research, “BRACU BAT GPS Based Taxi Fare Meter”. The Institutional Repository: increasing the visibility and team comprised of Toufiq Hasan, Benazir Mustafa, Impact, Plagiarism and Reference Management and Tanvir Ahmed. Dr. Khalilur Rhaman supervised using Mendeley, and Turnitin-Anti-Plagiarism Web the project. Tool. Facilitators were Hasina Afroz, Md. Saiful A team under the supervision of Dr. Amitabha Islam, and Md. Shahajada Masud Anowarul Haque. Chakrabarty, Assistant Professor introduced a On 12 June, Mr. Annajiat participated in Seminar on digital electricity billing system to remove the flaws Development of e-Learning Platform for and mismanagement involved within the prevalent Programming Language at Bangladesh Computer system. The web-based technology can be utilized Council (BCC), Information and Communication using smart phone irrespective of the phone's Technology Division (ICTD), Ministry of Posts, operating system (Google's Android, Apple's iOS Telecommunication and IT (MoPTIT). On 21 June or, Microsoft's Windows). 2016, he participated in Seminar on Information Technology Engineers Examination (ITEE) at BCC. Other major events of 2016 Throughout the year, Mr. Annajiat contributed to BRAC University, and in particular the CSE Question Making Committee (QMC) for “Capacity Department, is immensely invested in finding Building on ITEE Management” project under placement and development opportunities for the implementation by Bangladesh IT Engineers alumni. With this objective in mind, Dr. Jia Uddin Examination Council (BDITEC), BCC, ICTD, Ahmed, Assistant Professor, CSE, helped one of MoPTIT. The project is supported by Japan our alumni, Md. Junayed Hasan in getting International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and opportunities for full funded scholarship into M.Sc. ITPEC.org. On 7 July 2016, he volunteered and leading Ph.D. admission at the University of Ulsan, participated in Digital Career Show (DCS) held in South Korea under the supervision of Professor Dr. London, UK. On 13 July 2016, he participated in a Jong-Myon Kim. seminar on Flipping the Classroom by Professor Faculty members of CSE are pro-active and highly Chris Evans, University College London (UCL) committed to providing service to the university. Interaction Center (UCLIC). The seminar shared They have served on multiple internal committees research results and experience on using adaptive to help with administration and improvement of technologies in flipping classrooms and gaining facilities for the students. In particular, faculty increased output from classrooms, debunked member Mr. Annajiat Alim Rasel assisted the myths about education, classrooms, lectures, and Academic Calendar committee, as well as working specially attendance. On 13 August 2016, he closely with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). On attended workshop on Health Data Analytics under 9 February 2016, Mr. Shaikh Enamur Reza, Sr. UGC HEQEP sub-project CP 3137 at CSE Project Manager, BRAC IT Services Limited (biTS) Department, BUET. It focused on diverse has consulted him for analyzing academic results characteristics of techniques for analyzing data. He and efforts to predict academic success of the also attended workshop on Open Street Mapping students. On 22 February 2016, he received a (OSM) by Mr. Ahasanul Hoque, GiS consultant, plaque and a welcome letter on behalf of BRAC Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) during Annual Report 2016 | 49

2-3 September. OSM helps to produce higher Journal, Neural Computing & Application resolution density and location datasets for hazard (Springer), Journal of Information Processing and exposure mapping, risk modelling and impact Systems (JIPS). Dr. Jia was in the final list of best analysis, education and training, disaster research faculties whereas Lecturer Suraiya Tairin preparedness, etc. Mr. Annajiat Alim Rasel was in the final list of best teaching faculty participated in workshop on Deep Learning using members for the academic year 2015. Both Tensor Flow organized by NVIDIA Deep Learning Associate Professor Dr. Khalil and Assistant Institute (DLI) & PERSONTYLE, during 15-16 Professor Dr. Jia were judges in IEEE WIE Robotic September 2016 at London, United Kingdom. Competition, held in NSU, Dhaka. Deep Learning is a new area of machine learning On May 2016, three faculty members from CSE research for artificial intelligence. It is enabling department, Mr. Dipankar Chaki, Mr. Samiul Islam, researchers to achieve groundbreaking results in and Mr. Rubayat Ahmed Khan facilitated a 4-day many areas. He also participated in Bangladesh National Substantive Training (NST) on Open Institute of Peace Support Operation Training Government Data (OGD) for Sustainable (BIPSOT)'s Disarmament, Demobilization, and Development started at CIRDAP, Press Club, Reintegration (DDR) course upon nomination. It Dhaka. This event was organized as a part of the focused on DDR programmes with a view to project on “Strengthening of Capacities of enhance capacity and effectiveness of United Developing Countries to Provide Access to Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations and ICT Information for Sustainable Development through implications for its different phases. Mr. Annajiat Open Government Data (OGD)”. Begum Tarana also participated in several Distance Learning Halim, Honorable State Minister for Post and Seminars at GDLN, BRAC University e.g., Telecommunications Division attended the establishment of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) inaugural program as Chief Guest. Ms. Kaniz on 18 August, economic analysis of investment Fatema, NDC, Secretary, Statistics and Informatics projects including technology spillover of an Division, Mr. Nick Beresford, Deputy Country invention on 21 July, Korea's Strategy for Science, Director, UNDP Bangladesh and Ms. Aranzazu Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy on April 6, Guillan Montero, Inter Regional Advisor, UNDESA etc. On 4 December 2016, he was consulted by were present as Special Guests. Seiko Yamabe, JICA Representative and Syeda Sadia Hasan, Deputy Programme Manager from On February 2016, two faculty members of CSE JICA Bangladesh Office for the next phase for the Department, Mr. Samiul Islam, and Mr. Md. Saiful Islam attended as participant/trainee in the two- project “Capacity Building on Information day workshop titled “Data Science and Big Data Technology Engineers' Examination (ITEE) Specialization Boot Camp” organized by bdjobs Management Project”. It focused on bridging the training. The objectives of this workshop were to gap between Industry & IT Engineers, developing assist the participants to understand the skills human resource, ideas for potential improvements needed to extract value from Big Data; specifically, and feasibility analysis for nationwide how to translate business objectives into machine effectiveness. learning problems and apply the data analytic The current adviser, Dr. Md. Haider Ali, serves on techniques required to make smart data-driven many national level committees. In particular, he decisions. The course explored data mining was in a committee assisting the Election approaches such as regression, clustering, Commission with their project on Identification association rules, classification, recommendation System for Enhancing Access to Services. Dr. engines, and link analysis. The tools used in that Haider was also the computerization expert in a course include R, Hadoop, and RHadoop. This meeting on the computerization of the Office of two-day session was conducted by Mr. Md. Rabiul Director Accounts, . Islam, Trainer, Bdjobs.com. Assistant Professor Dr. Jia was a technical In November, Faculty member, Md. Saiful Islam committee member in ICISET2016, session chair in attended a Workshop on "Embedded System" ICAICT2016, ICCIT2016 and reviewer in several conducted by Guest speaker Mr. Ejaz Jamil, peer reviewed international Journals: Multimedia Managing Director, Jence, Bangladesh organized tools and application (Springer), IEEE Access by Robotics Club, ROBU. He has also attended a 50 | Annual Report 2016

Seminar on "Technical Paper Writing" conducted Rhaman, “ROBU Greenhouse Lab”, Lab2Moon, by Mr. Shifur Rahman, Deputy Manager, MIS and India, 2016. Monitoring and Evaluation Department, BRAC. Md. Rashedul Islam, Jia Uddin, Jong-Myon Kim, “An Saiful is playing the role of Co-Advisor at Mongol Acoustic Emission Sensor based Fault Diagnosis of Tori, which is a next-generation Mars rover, inspired Induction Motors using Gabor filter and Multiclass by "Curiosity" which was sent to Mars by NASA on SVM”, Journal of Ad-hoc and Sensors Wireless 26 November 2011. The makers, Team Mongol Tori, Networks, Old city publisher. a collaboration of hard-working and enthusiastic Rashedul Islam, Jia Uddin, Jong-Myon Kim, students of BRAC University, have been selected “Texture Analysis Based Feature Extraction Using for the UKURC and ERC arranged by Mars Society Gabor Filter and SVD for Reliable Fault diagnosis of which will take place in the UK and an Induction Motor”, International Journal of respectively. Information Technology and Management. Publications Jia Uddin, In-Kyu Jeong, Myeongsu Kang, Cheol- Md. Khalilur Rhaman, Sabbir Ahmed Khan, and Hong Kim, Jong-Myon Kim, “Accelerating IP Route Shifur Rahman Shakil, "State of Art in Robotics and Lookup Table using an NVIDIA GPU for High Speed Embedded Systems: Bangladesh Perspective", Multimedia Communication”, Journal of Journal of Automation and Control Engineering, Multimedia Tools and Applications, December Vol. 4, No. 1, February 2016, pp. 59-64 2016, Vol. 75, No. 23, pp. 1536515379. Syed Mahmud Hasan, Md. Tahmid Rashid, Md. Jia Uddin, Md. Rashedul Islam, Jon-Myon Kim, Shadman Sakib Chowdhury, Md. Khalilur Rhaman, Cheol-Hong Kim, “A Two- Dimensional Fault Diagnosis Model of Induction Motors using a Gabor “Development of a credible and integrated Filter on Segmented Images,” International Journal electronic voting machine based on contactless IC of Control and Automation, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 11-22, cards, biometric fingerprint credentials and POS 2016. printer”, CCECE 2016. M. N. Uddin, Jia Uddin, J. Ahmed, M.N. Mustafa, Md. Tahmid Rashid, Imtiaz Kalam Abir, Niaz Sharif "An Effective E-Health Model for Bangladesh", Shourove, Rakibun Muntaha, Md. Khalilur Rhaman, International Journal of Emerging Technology and “Intelligent intrusion prevention system for Advanced Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 1, January 2016, households based on system-on-chip computer”, pp. 7-12. CCECE 2016. Md. Burhan Uddin, Razia Sultana, Safat Islam, Jia Md. Rokebul Islam, Nafis Ibn Shahid, Dewan Uddin, “A New Machine Learning Approach to Tanzimul Karim, Abdullah Al Mamun, Dr. Md. Select Adaptive IMFs of EMD”, The 2nd Khalilur Rhaman, “An Efficient Algorithm for International Conference on Electrical, Computer Detecting Traffic Congestion and a Framework for &Telecommunication Engineering, ICECTE 2016, Smart Traffic Control System”, The 18th 8-10 December 2016, RUET, Rajshahi, International Conference on Advanced Bangladesh. Communications Technology ( ICACT2016). Arafat Habib, Muhidul Islam Khan and Jia Uddin, Md. Ishraque Bin Shafique, M.A. Razzaq Halim, “Optimal Route Selection in Complex Multi-stage Fazle Rabbi, and Md. Khalilur Rhaman, “Exploring Supply Chain Networks using SARSA(?)”, The 19th the Opportunities of a Balloon-Satellite in International Conference on Computer and Bangladesh for Weather Data Collection and Information Technology, ICCIT 2016, 18-20 Vegetative Analysis”, Aero Earth 2016, IOP December, 2016 (Best Paper Award). Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Md. Junayed Hasan, Jia Uddin, Subroto Nag Pinku, Science-38 (2016). “A Novel Modified SFTA Approach for Feature Md. Khalilur Rhaman, Shifur Rahman Shakil, Narzu Extraction”, The3rd International Conference on Tarannum, “Nano Satellite- A New Journey towards Electrical Engineering and Information & Space Science for Bangladesh”, Country Report, Communication Technology, 22-24 September Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2016 (Best Poster Award). October 17-23, 2016. Md. Moniruzzaman Monir, Md. Nafis Hasan Md. Sakiluzzaman, Samiha Nanjiba, Adnan Sabbir Siddique, Nahyan Ebn Hashem, Afsana Pervin Mourin Kibtia, Sakib Ahmed Sumdany, Md. Khalilur Tanni and Jia Uddin, “An Efficient Magic Mirror Annual Report 2016 | 51

Using Kinect", 1st International Conference on Rubel Biswas, Rubayet Ahmed Khan, Samiul Islam, Advanced Information and Communication Jia Uddin; “A Novel Approach to Detect and Technology (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 May 2016, Classify the Defective of Missing Rail Anchors in Chittagong Independent University, Bangladesh. Real-time”, International Journal of Emerging Md. Kamal Hossain, Md. Assaduzzaman Ashique, Technology & Advanced Engineering, Vol. 6 (12), Md. Asif Ibtehaz, Jia Uddin, “Parallel Edge December 2016. Detection Using Sobel Algorithm with Contract- Annajiat Alim Rasel and Mohammed Eunus Ali. time Anytime Algorithm in CUDA”, The 22nd “UProve2: privacy-aware, scalable, ubiquitous International Conference on Parallel and provenance to enhance file search”, International Distributed Processing Techniques and Conference on Networking Systems and Security Applications, PDPTA 2016, USA. (NSysS) 2016. Shadman Fahim, Shehabul Hossain, Gulshan Anjela Diana Corraya, Sonia Corraya, “Regression Jubaed Prince and Jia Uddin, “Comparative based Price and Yield Prediction of Agricultural Analysis of Protein Alignment algorithms in Parallel Crop”, International Journal of Computer environment using CUDA BLAST versus Smith- Applications, Vol. 152, Issue no. 5, October 2016. Waterman”, The 1st International Conference on Aniqua Nusrat Zereen, Sonia Corraya, “Detecting Advanced Information and Communication Real Time Object Along With The Moving Direction Technology (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 May 2016, For Visually Impaired People”, International Chittagong Independent University, Bangladesh. Conference on Electrical, Computer & Sm Tasdid Swad, Md. Rokebul Islam, Sadia Intesar, Telecommunication Engineering (ICECTE), RUET, and Jia Uddin, “A Smart LAN Infrastructure for VoIP 8-10 December 2016. Based Wireless Communication”, 1st International Hafsa Moontari Ali, Sonia Corraya, “Line Profile Conference on Advanced Information and Based Fingerprint Matching”, International Communication Technology (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 Workshop on Computational Intelligence (IWCI May 2016, Chittagong Independent University, 2016), December 2016. Bangladesh. Kazi Sinthia Kabir, Tusher Chakraborty and A. B. M. Nahid Akhter, Amitabha Chakrabarty, “A Survey- Alim Al Islam, “Super Crypt: A Technique for based Study on Lip Segmentation Techniques for Quantum Cryptography through Simultaneously Lip Reading Applications”, International Improving Both Security Level and Data Rate”, Conference on Advanced Information and International Conference on Networking Systems Communication Technology (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 and Security (NSysS), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016. May 2016, Chittagong Independent University, Iftakhar Ahmad, Kazi Sinthia Kabir, Tanzila Bangladesh. Choudhury and A. B. M. Alim Al Islam, “Enhancing Rupa Barua, Shauvik Shadman, Amitabha Security in Specialized Use of Mobile IP”, Chakrabarty, “Pocket Switched Networks Routing: International Conference on Networking Systems A Survey”, International Conference on Advanced and Security (NSysS), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016. Information and Communication Technology Shakibul Islam, Walid Mohammad, and Kazi Sinthia (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 May 2016, Chittagong Kabir, “Smart Adaptive User-Interface of Mobile Independent University, Bangladesh. Applications for Semi-Literate People”, The 14th S.M. Mohi-Us Sunnat, Amitabha Chakrabarty, International Conference on Mobile Systems, “CHAAR: A Location Based Product Offer Applications, and Services (MobiSys), Singapore, Advertisement App”, International Conference on 2016. Advanced Information and Communication Afrida Tabassum, Wali Mohammad Abdullah, Najia Technology (ICAICT 2016), 16-17 May 2016, Manjur, Rehennuma Islam, Ashfaque Ahmed, Chittagong Independent University, Bangladesh. Shourav Imtiaz Morshed, Rizia Iqbal Tinni, Kazi Ki-Chul Kwon, Munkh-Uchral Erdenebat, Md. Lutful Kabir, Muhammad Nazrul Islam, “An Ashraful Alam, Young-Tae Lim, Kwang-Gi Kim, and Improved Algorithm for Sorting Chromosomes by Nam Kim, “Integral imaging microscopy with Inverted Block-interchanges Based on Permutation enhanced depth-of-field using a spatial Group”, 1st International Conference on Medical multiplexing,” Journal: Optics Express, Vol. 24, Engineering, Health Informatics and Technology Issue 3, 2016, pp. 2072-2083. (MediTec), UIU, Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 2016 52 | Annual Report 2016

(IEEE EMBS Bangladesh Chapter Best Paper Disjoint Set Covers for Directional Sensors in Visual Award). Sensor Networks”, Proceedings of IEEE/IFIP Anika Binte Islam, Fahim Salam Chowdhury, Fariha Wireless Days, WD 16 March 23-25, Touolouse, Nusrat, Kazi Lutful Kabir, Hasan Sarwar, “A Study France, 2016. on Image Enhancement Methods for Printed Shahla Farzana, “Combining Eye Blink Frequency Bangla Document Images”, 5th International and Viewing Distance Measure for Eyestrain Conference on Informatics, Electronics and Vision Detection using Soft Contact Lens Sensor as a (ICIEV), DU, Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 2016. Novel Wearable Device”, Proceeding of Grace Asif Mahmud, Sharmeen Sultana Ananna, Nuzhat Hopper Celebration of Women In Computing, Nahiyan, Nazmus Sakib, Sharmin Islam, Nazmul Bangalore, India, 2016. Hasan, Kazi Lutful Kabir, Wali Mohammad Fatema Siddika, Md. Anwar Hossen, Sajeeb Saha, Abdullah, “Development of an Intelligent System “Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 in Bangladesh: The for Automated Compilation of Household Waste Competent and Enhanced Way to Follow”, Materials”, The 3rd International Conference on International Conference on Networking, Systems Innovations in Information, Embedded and and Security (NSysS) 2016. Communication Systems (ICIIECS), KCE, Sadia Sharmin, Sikder Tahsin Al-Amin, “A Cloud- Coimbatore, India, March 2016. based Dynamic Waste Management System for Md Mahabur Rahman, Md Taksir Hasan Majumder, Smart Cities”, ACM DEV '16, The 7th Annual Md Saddam Hossain Mukta, Mohammed Eunus Symposium on Computing for Development Article Ali, and Jalal Mahmud, “Can we predict eat-out No. 20, November 18 - 20, 2016, Nairobi, Kenya. preference of a person from tweets?”, 8th ACM Suraiya Tairin, Sikder Tahsin Al-Amin, Sharmin Conference on Web Science, Hannover, Germany, Afrose, Mahmuda Naznin, “Sensing Reliable May 22 - 25, 2016, pp. 350-351. Events using Social Network Proficiently”, The 5th Shahla Farzana, Khaleda Akther Papry, Ashikur Networking Women Workshop, ACM MobiCom, Rahman, and Raqeebir Rab, “Maximally Pair-wise New York, USA, October 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 53

Department of Economics and Social Sciences 54 | Annual Report 2016

organised by Department of Economics and Social Sciences at GDLN, BRACU on 8 February 2016. BIGD Researcher attended the Fourth Speakers' Forum ESS in collaboration with the Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace and World Affairs of the George Town University and World Faiths Development Dialogue organised the fourth round of Speakers' forum titled 'Faith and Education: Contestations around the Madrasa in Bangladesh' on 12 March 2016. Dr. Samia Huq, Associate Professor at ESS coordinated the programme. Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Islamic Studies at University of Notre Dame, USA and author of 'What is a Madrasa' delivered the keynote. Dr. Niaz Asadullah presented other papers. Seminar: 'Sharing Success Stories' Global Affairs Forum of BRACU organised a seminar called 'Sharing Success Stories' on 23 March 2016 at the Auditorium of BRACU where eight distinguished female scholars, entrepreneurs and social motivators were invited to share their success story with the students of BRACU. The programme started with an introductory speech given by Dr. Seuty Sabur, Assistant Professor at ESS and ended with a brief speech given by Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Associate Professor at ESS. Seminar: 'Early Marriage' ESS in partnership with JPG School of Public Health, organized a seminar on early marriage on 15 October 2016. The discussion was based on research findings undertaken as part of the 'Initiative for Gender, Growth and Development in Asia'- an initiative that involves academics from the University of Kent, University of Malaya and ESS at BRACU, where Dr. Niaz Asadullah, Dr. Zaki Wahhaj, Dr. Samia Huq. Mr. Mukibul Islam and Seama Mowri each presented their papers. Faculty Publications Professor Abdul Bayes Professor Bayes co-edited the book- “Driving Development, A Story of BRAC's Evolution and Effectiveness”, published by University Press Events at the Department of Economics & Limited (UPL). Social Sciences (ESS) Professor Bayes co-authored the article - “Ultra Book Launch of Dr. S. M. Shamsul Alam Poor and Asset Transfer in Urban Setting: Evidence Professor S. M. Shamsul Alam wrote a book titled, from Slums in Bangladesh” published in the 'Governmentality and Counter-Hegemony in Journal of International Development Studies, Bangladesh'. The book launch event was John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 55

Professor Bayes has also written 40 op-eds. in both Meheri Tamanna English and Bengali National Dailies in 2016. Meheri Tamanna has published a journal article in Dr. Seuty Sabur the Journal of Asian Profile titled 'Neoliberal restructuring and Urban Poverty: Does urban poor Op-ed/ Blog Dhaka Attack: How We Inculcated doing better than their Rural Counterparts', (2016 Something So Monstrous Among Our Children on 5 Journal of Asian Profile, vol.44, no.1). July 2016. http://www.asianresearchservice.com/Asianprofil https://thewire.in/48715/dhaka-attack-must-ask- e.html inculcated-something-monstrous-among- children/ Ms. Tamanna has worked on a project as research associate titled "An in-depth study on Framer's Adnan M.S. Fakir behavior change,drivers and barriers as well as Adnan M. S. Fakir's paper “Health Economics 'spontaneous' impact on family and neighbors of Review” titled “Revisiting the Child health-wealth SaFaL" by Consiglieri. nexus” was published in the Journal of Health Economics. Dr. Samia Huq Op-ed/blog: Faith, Dissent and Extremism: How Adnan M.S. Fakir and ESS students- Anika Anjum, Bangladesh is Struggling to stay Secular in The Fabiha Bushra and Nabilah Nawar jointly authored Conversation, published on December 9, 2016. a research work titled, “The endogeneity of https://theconversation.com/faith-dissent-and- domestic violence: Understanding women extremism-how-bangladesh-is-struggling-to- empowerment through autonomy”. The article was stay-secular-68927. Reprinted in Scroll published in the journal- World Development https://scroll.in/author/12346, December 12, 2016. Perspectives. Dr. Huq has written a chapter on: Lived Realities Adnan M. S. Fakir, lecturer of Economics at ESS, from Bangladesh: Women's Stories, Women's was also invited to advise research projects being Lives: Male Authority in Muslim Contexts, undertaken at the “Economics Research Platform” published by Musawah, Malaysia, 2016. of NSU along with Dr. Atonu Rabbani from DU. Dr. Samia Huq has authored a book chapter: Dr. Shahidur Rahman “Tolerance in Bangladesh: Discourses of State and Dr. Rahman is currently involved in a research Society”, the expected to be published by project “Globalisation, Migration and Knowledge Cambridge University Press in 2017. generation: A study on higher education institution in Bangladesh.” The study is being published by Dr. Farzana Munshi Springer (On-going). Op-ed titled "Youth unemployment: Emphasising Skill Development" published in The Financial Dr. Rahman has also authored a book in Bengali on Express 13 April 2016 Bangladesh's Garments Industry. The book will be published in 2017 by the University Press Limited. Dr. Farzana Munshi was awarded BRACU's faculty research grant to study the effect of Labor Market Dr. Rahman has also written an op-ed published in Regulations on employment: Evidence from The Daily Star, Governance after Rana Plaza. 20 Bangladesh. April 2016. http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/politics/ Dr. Munshi has also authored a publication on governance-after-rana-plaza-1211845 “Preliminary Assessment of Impact of Labour Migration from South Asia on the South Asian Rehnuma Jahan Islam Employers”, published by ILO, 2016. Rehnuma Jahan Islam, lecturer at ESS was mentioned in the news article of New Age (2 ESS Faculty Participation in Conferences, October 2016) for her fresh and unorthodox Meetings, Seminars and Workshops thinking and teaching style. Training on Self-Assessment (SA) Rehnuma Jahan Islam has also written an op-ed: Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Additional Director and other Reclaiming the rights of the pedestrians, published officials of IQAC, BRACU were present in the in the Financial Express on 23 November 2016. training session at BRACU on 17 January 2016. http://www.thefinancialexpressbd.com/2016/11/2 Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of 3/54066/Reclaiming-rights-of-pedestrians BRACU organized this event. 56 | Annual Report 2016

Just Governance Dialogue Wales, the Freie University, the University of Adnan M. S. Fakir, lecturer of Economics at ESS, Gothenburg has initiated a research titled, was invited to the Just Governance Dialogue 2016 "Changes in the Governance of Garment Global on 12 February 2016 organized by the Initiatives of Production Networks: Lead Firm, Supplier and Change, India, to deliver a talk on “Greedonomics Institutional Responses to the Rana Plaza Does inequity drive innovation?” Disaster". As a team member of this research project, Dr. Shahidur Rahman participated in a Chapter Workshop seminar organized by London School of Dr. Samia Huq, Associate Professor at ESS Economics at UK on 28-29 June 2016. participated in a chapter workshop held in Uppsala, Sweden from 18-20 March 2016. The workshop Conference: Politics, Hermeneutics and focused: “Religion and Social Progress: Critical Emerging Nationalism Assessments and Creative Partnerships” Samia Huq, Associate Professor at ESS was invited contributing to the Publication of International to read her paper on “Politics, Hermeneutics and Panel for Social Progress (IPSP), Swedish Emerging Nationalism” in a conference 27 August Collegium for Advanced Studies. 2016. The conference, based on Researching Religion in Bangladesh was organized in Partner's Meeting at IDS , Dhaka, Bangladesh. Professor Abdul Bayes, acting Chairperson of ESS attended the Partner's Meeting of Leveraging Conference: 'Changes in Governance in Global Agriculture for Nutrition in South Asia (LANSA), IDS, Garment Supply Chain after Rana Plaza Sussex on 11-12 April 2016. Disaster' Dr. Shahidur Rahman organized and participated in Workshop: Promoting Good Governance a stakeholder workshop on 31 August 2016 at Through Higher Level Students in Schools and BRAC Inn organized by BRAC Institute of Madrasahs Governance and Development (BIGD), BRACU. A workshop on “Promoting Good Governance This workshop was arranged as part of his research through Higher Level Students in Schools and project titled, "Changes in the Governance of Madrasahs”, organized by the Asia Foundation in Garment Global Production Networks: Lead Firm, Hotel Nascent Gardenia, Dhaka was held on 25 Supplier and Institutional Responses to the Rana April 2016. Dr. Samia Huq, Associate Professor at Plaza Disaster". ESS was invited to deliver a talk there. Workshop: IQAC Team Building Workshop -1 Seminar: 'Growth, Governance and Democracy' A Team Building Workshop was held including all A seminar was organized by BRACU Economics the faculty members of ESS Department on the Club in association with Department of Economics self-assessment criteria of IQAC on 1 September and Social Sciences (ESS) on 'Growth, 2016. Governance and Democracy' on 26 May 2016. Dr. Binayak Sen was the main speaker of the event. Report Launch The primary theme was based on the aspect of Based on a research between 2012-12, a report governance in detail from philosophical and launch event was organized by Musawah in Rabat, operational approaches. Morocco on 27-30 September 2016. The event was followed by a two day seminar on 'Rethinking the Seminar: “Constructing Others: Muslim Sects in Marriage Contract in Muslim Family Law'. Dr. the Eyes of Deobandi Ulema” Samia Huq was one of the key speakers in the Dr. Ali Riaz presented his study on the construction aforementioned report launch on “Women's Lives, and reproduction of Deobandi percepts with regard Women's Stories: male Authority in Muslim to Ahmadiyas and Barelwies by Deobadi Ulema. Contexts”. The event was organized by Department of Economics and Social Sciences on 9 June 2016. HULT Prize: BRACU alongside with OCA organized HULT Prize for the fourth time. 34 teams Seminar: 'Changes in the Governance of from diverse disciplines participated with ideas to Garment Global Production Network' reawaken the human potential and benefitting the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development lives of refugee. ESS faculties Dr. Rubana Ahmed (BIGD) at BRACU in collaboration with the London and Dr. Samia Huq were both in the panel of judges School of Economics, the University of New South for the presentation. Annual Report 2016 | 57

4th Micronutrient Global Conference Globalization affect Informal Employment in Low Professor Abdul Bayes, acting Chairperson of ESS and Lower Middle Income Countries?, Md. Irtaza Department attended the 4th Micronutrient Global Mahbub Akhond- Institutions and Civil Conflict: Conference, Cancun, Mexico, 23-28 October 2016. Evidence from 60 countries and Asif Muztaba Hassan- Testing Political Systems in Conflict: A Partners' meeting of LANSA Deeper Look Into Polity and Public Apathy. Professor Abdul Bayes, acting Chairperson of ESS Department participated in the Partners' meeting of Faculty transitions LANSA, 1-7 October 2016 held in Colombo. 1. On May 2 2016, two new faculties Sifat Islam Ishty and Ashraf Ahmed were appointed for the Thesis Presentations ESS Department. Politics of Authenticity: Maizbhandari as a Sufi Community 2. Sarah Salauddin, one of the ESS faculties, has left for her PhD in 2016. Arefin Noman, a former student of Anthropology program of ESS department presented his ESS Student Participation undergrad thesis titled “An Ethnography on the Fresher's Reception Maizbhander: Locating within Cultural, Religious Department of Economics and Social Sciences and Political Dimensions” organized by the welcomed its Fall-2016 enrollment with an Anthropology Forum of BRACU on 17 October interactive session at the BRACU's auditorium 2016. where the incoming students' spent an afternoon Thesis Presentation with their teachers, seniors and peers from the On 17 November 2016 five Economics students department. from the ESS department completed their HULT Prize undergraduate theses in 2016 under the BRACU alongside with OCA organized HULT Prize supervision of Dr. Farzana Munshi. The five for the fourth time. 34 teams from diverse students and their thesis topic are as follows, Azraf disciplines participated with ideas to reawaken the Uddin Ahmad- The Effects of Income Inequality on human potential and benefitting the lives of Government Spending: An Instrumental Variables refugee. ESS faculties Dr. Rubana Ahmed and Dr. Approach, Fabiha Bushra- Gendering' Terrorism: Samia Huq were both in the panel of judges for the The Role of Women's Empowerment in Predicting presentation. Terrorist Violence, Samirah Bint Zulfiqar- Does 58 | Annual Report 2016 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Electronic iii. Master of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) operates under the School of Engineering (M.Sc.EEE) Engineering and Computer Science (SECS). The iv. Master of Engineering in Electrical and department has been running successfully with Electronic Engineering (M.Engg.EEE). around 1200 students and having 110 students awarded BSc in EEE Degree and 20 students Achievements awarded BSc in ECE Degree in the 11th There are several research centres and laboratories Convocation, 2016. The faculty members boast operating under the EEE department among which both strong academic and research background the Control and Applications Research Centre and have international experience in academia and (CARC) and the Robotics Laboratory have received industry. They publish regularly in high impact national and international acclaim. journals and present in conferences. Also, faculty CARC has expertise and activities in the area of members of the department regularly go abroad to system and control engineering. Most CARC attain graduate degrees and return to BRACU upon projects, supervised under Dr. A.K.M. Abdul Malek the completion of their studies adding further to the Azad, involve close collaboration with industrial quality of teaching. Our objective is to produce organizations including companies like EnergyPac well-informed and well-trained graduates who can Bangladesh, BRAC Solar and Dhaka Power use electronic, telecommunication and power Distribution Company. Last year, the research system engineering tools to solve real world centre has redesigned and developed an problems, and to train students in research ambulance van with required modifications based methodology, so that they can contribute to the on valuable feedbacks obtained from drivers, creation of new knowledge. The department offers patients and BRAC Health Nutrition and Population courses which follow University Grants Programme (HNPP) personnel during a past field Commission (UGC) requirements and also maintain test. On 26 May 2016, the modified ambulance van standards that are parallel to the curriculum of was delivered to the CARC research facility located American and European universities and at Genda, Savar to conduct the performance test of institutions. this vehicle on the roads. The field test has been Programmes offered conducted and the performance of this vehicle has improved remarkably. Patients were carried from i. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic their houses to nearby hospitals using this modified Engineering (B.Sc.EEE) ambulance van. Local people and patients ii. Bachelor of Science in Electronic and expressed their gratitude and satisfaction with this Communication Engineering (B.Sc.ECE.) innovation and they felt that this vehicle can provide Annual Report 2016 | 59 better health services to rural people in the rural Events & Activities community. From 19-20 December 2016, the inauguration of The accomplishments of the Robotics Laboratory the first IEEE Community of Practice (CoP) meeting has yielded yet another path through which BRACU was held where Dr. Shahidul Islam Khan, the has reached a milestone in terms of research work. professor of BUET, delivered the inaugural speech. On 15 June 2016, Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Reputed professionals and professors from abroad Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRACU signed a contract attended the two day event, along with respected with the Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, on faculty members of the EEE Department of behalf of BRACU, at the GDLN Centre, 18th floor, BRACU. Professor of EEE Department, BRACU, Dr. BRACU, Mohakhali. This will lead to collaboratively AKM Abdul Malek Azad led the meeting for two building the first experimental university Nano- days and gave the attendees a hands-on Satellite of Bangladesh, designed, developed and experience on the projects CARC has been assembled by three students from the EEE working on, like Human Cargo Hauler and Solar department of BRACU, namely, Abdulla Hil Kafi, Ambulance. Raihana Shams Islam Antara and Maisun Ibn On 17 May 2016, IEEE BRACU Student Branch Monowar, on a mission titled “Joint Global Multi- arranged a two-hour workshop on "An efficient and Nation BIRDS Satellite” with the acronym “BIRDS significant workshop on writing scientific article on Project”. Latex" instructed by Irtiza Haque, System Engineer, Dr Mosaddequr Rahman is involved in the Grameenphone Limited and Shoilie Chakma, development of a solar powered electric car for Lecturer, BRACU EEE Department who showed the Dhaka city dwellers that will be eco-friendly and students different skills and techniques of writing economically affordable. Last year Dr Mosaddeq effective scientific paper on Latex. Later in the and his team led by Imran Bin Jafar, Teaching month, they arranged a tour to Bangladesh Air Assistant, EEE Department, finally constructed a Force Technical Base which took place on 26 May 2016. They went to Bangabandhu Aeronautical fully functioning solar car for the first time in Centre where squadron leader Shahid gave them a Bangladesh. And in the year 2016, the project got briefing on Bangladesh Air Force and guided them its recognition when awarded the 1st Runner Up throughout the tour. They visited Electric prize, worth of Tk. 50,000, in the 'National Project Specialized Equipment Shop, different Electrical Competition on Green Energy and Technology Workshops, Pipe Repair Workshop, etc. and got 2016', organized by Independent University of introduced to different technologies related to air Bangladesh (IUB) on 31 March 2016. A total of 40 crafts. On 8 October 2016, IEEE student branch projects were selected for the final competition in organized a workshop titled, “Video Editing the university category, from about 250 Workshop On After Effects” conducted by Rahatul submissions from different universities across the Amin Ananto where the participants learned about country. The solar car project has the potential to editing and animating videos and movies using attract investors to invest for further research and After Effects. development in this area so that a fully functional solar car for commercial use can be manufactured Among other events, on 27 June 2016, BRACU locally at an affordable price. Electrical & Electronics Club (BUEEC) organized a seminar in GDLN Conference Centre, titled In another funded project from BRACU, Dr "Fundamentals of Molecular Communication Mosaddeq is engaged in the development of a Nano-networks", with Dr. Mohammad Upal novel prototype multi-level solar panel system. The Mahfuz, Assistant Professor of Engineering urban cities in third world countries are faced with Technology, Department of Natural and Applied acute shortage of electricity. Generating electricity Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, as using solar panels is a potential solution to the the speaker. The talk was arranged for giving the current energy crisis as it is renewable and climate current engineering students an insight of the friendly. However, in large urban cities there is not recent developments in Nano-networks. The enough roof top space for installation of solar departmental club, BUEEC, then organized panels. The proposed system aims at solving this another seminar titled “Towards Human-in-the- problem by introducing a novel approach to Loop Robot Autonomy: Algorithms, Applications arrange the solar panels in a way that minimizes the and Systems” on 18 July 2016, again in GDLN use of floor space. Conference Centre. This talk was presented by Dr. 60 | Annual Report 2016

Junaed Sattar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nujhat TasneemLead/Principal Author: Md. Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mohsinur Rahman Adnan Co-author: Md. Samzid University of Minnesota. Bin Hafiz, Nujhat Tasneem, Quazi D.M. Khosru Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: List of Publications 2016 The following research papers were published by EEE faculty members in the year 2016: "Real-Time Monitoring of Solar Battery Charging Station", Dr. A.K.M Abdul Malek Azad "Output Regulated One-Switch Three-Phase Lead/Principal Author: Mirza Karishma Priyanka Boost and Boost-Buck (SEPIC) PFC Rectifiers", Co-author: Alvi Chowdhury, Bushra Mahmud, Sheri Ms. Amina Hasan Abedin Lead/Principal Author: Jahan Chowdhury and AKM Abdul Malek Azad Amina Hasan AbedinCo-author: K.L. Bashar, Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: Samia Islam and M.A. Choudhury Name of 2016 Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 "Real-Time Monitoring of Solar Battery Charging "Comparative Study of Quantum Mechanical Station", Lead/Principal Author: Mirza Karishma Capacitance Voltage Characteristics and Priyanka Co-author: Alvi Chowdhury, Bushra Threshold Voltage of Two Different Structures of Mahmud, Sheri Jahan Chowdhury, AKM Abdul Junction Less Nanowire Transistor.", Nujhat Malek Azad Year: 2016 Tasneem Lead/Principal Author: Nujhat Tasneem Co-author: Mohsinur Rahman Adnan, Md. Samzid "Robust One Switch Three Phase Modified Bin Hafiz, Quazi D.M. Khosru Name of Publisher: Vienna/Modular-Boost Rectifiers", Ms. Amina IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 Hasan Abedin Lead/Principal Author: Amina Hasan Abedin Co-author: M.A. Choudhury Name of "Development of Double Burner Smart Electric Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 Stove Powered by Solar Photovoltaic Energy" , Dr. A.K.M Abdul Malek Azad Lead/Principal Author: "Solar Electric Ambulance Van Unfolding Medical Samira SiddiquaCo-author: S. Firuz, B. M. Nur, R. J. Emergencies of Rural Bangladesh" , Dr. A.K.M Shaon, S. J. Chowdhury and A. Azad Name of Abdul Malek Azad Lead/Principal Author: R. Tarek Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 Co-author: A. Anjum, M. A. Hoque and A. Azad Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: "Electrically Facilitated Solar Cargo Hauler - A Key 2016 To Easy And Safe Transportation Of Goods Without Dependency On The National Grid" , Dr. A.K.M "Taking Meredith out of Grey's Anatomy: Abdul Malek Azad Lead/Principal Author: A. E. Automating hospital ICU emergency signaling", Dr. Purbasha Co-author: F. R. Khan, M. Sanjib and A. Tarem Ahmed Lead/Principal Author: Dr. Tarem Azad Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Ahmed Co-author: Supriyo Ahmed, and Fazle Elahi Year: 2016 Chowdhury Name of Publisher: IEEE, indexed by SCOPUS Year: 2016 "Impact on Quantum Capacitance and Threshold Voltage of Surrounding Gate Junction of Structural "Three phase three switch modular Vienna, Boost Geometry Less Nanowire Field Effect Transistor", and SEPIC rectifiers" , Ms. Amina Hasan Abedin Nujhat Tasneem Lead/Principal Author: Md. Lead/Principal Author: K. L. Bashar Co-author: A. Mohsinur Rahman Adnan Co-author: Nujhat H. Abedin, Dr. M. N. Uddin and Dr. M. A. Choudhury Tasneem, Md. Samzid Bin Hafiz, Quazi D.M. Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: Khosru Name of Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital 2016 library Year: 2016 "Three-Phase Robust SEPIC PFC AC-DC "Mathematical Modeling and Dlqr Based Controller Converters”, IEEE-PEMC 2016", Ms. Amina Hasan Design for a Non-minimum Phase Electro Hydraulic Abedin Lead/Principal Author: Amina Hasan Servo System (EHS)", Dr. A.K.M Abdul Malek Azad Abedin Co-author: M.A. Choudhury Name of Lead/Principal Author: Mazid Ishtique Ahmed Co- Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 author: Dr. AKM Abdul Malek Azad Name of "Two Switch Three Phase Two Switch Cuk Publisher: IEEE Xplore digital library Year: 2016 Regulated Rectifier", Ms. Amina Hasan Abedin "Quantum Ballistic Transport In Ultra-Small Silicon Lead/Principal Author: Amina Hasan Abedin Co- Channel Cylindrical Gate-All-Around Junction Less author: M.A. ChoudhuryName of Publisher: IEEE Nanowire Transistor Using NEGF Formalism", Xplore digital library Year: 2016 Annual Report 2016 | 61 Department of English and Humanities

The Department of English and Humanities (ENH) The post-graduate programme consists of an MA in aims at enhancing analytical and creative skills of English, with concentration either in Literature or its students along three academic streams: Applied Linguistics and ELT. The Literature stream Literature, Applied Linguistics and English involves a more stringent critical approach, based Language Teaching (ELT) and Media and Cultural on post-colonial, feminist or postmodern Studies. A Minor Programme in History is also approaches to literature. The Applied Linguistics designed to meet the above goals. and ELT stream concentrates on putting the The Literature stream presents a range of literary practical and theoretical skills together, with a writing in English from different historical periods concentration in technological approaches to and geographical regions. Literary texts are read in language learning and acquisition. conjunction with theoretical approaches to 2016 has been a productive year for ENH, with literature and culture, inculcating the spirit of international collaborations and conferences inquiry and analysis amongst students. The including student conferences and a host of Applied Linguistics and ELT stream examines the publications from its academic staff. place of language in society, as well as imparts International Collaborations and Conferences basic teaching skills to students based on theories of language learning and acquisition. The Media Linnaeus Palme International Exchange and Cultural Studies concentration looks at the Programme domain of culture and the influence of global and This programme included a three-year-long local media industries on the formation of public exchange of academic staff between ENH and the opinion and popular culture. Umea Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS). In the final leg of the programme, we had two professors A feature of the undergraduate programme is the visiting from UCGS. Their activities included a final thesis/internship report which is mandatory for three-day long workshop on Qualitative Research all students. Spanning two semesters, students Methodology from 21-23 January 2016. either write a 6-credit extended essay, which Conducted by Professor Ann Öhman, UCGS, involves research and extensive reading or write a Umeå University, the workshop was attended by report after a semester-long internship. The aim is scholars and researchers from various to equip all students with writing, research and departments and institutes of BRACU, as well as analytical skills, which then becomes the hallmark other private and public universities. Dr. Sara of the department. Edenheim, also from UCGS, held another 62 | Annual Report 2016 workshop on 'Close Reading' on 18 February 2016. Meet the Author and Book Launching Participants included students and faculty of ENH On 20 January 2016, ENH heard the stories of 15 and other departments of BRACU. war babies of 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh. Professor Ann Öhman also gave a public lecture, The event titled “Meet the Author: Mustafa titled “Exporting Social Policy to the Global South: Chowdhury 71' er Juddhoshishu: Obidito Itihash”, Swedish International Development Policies, featured Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam and Gender Equality Policy and Violence against Professor Afsan Chowdhury as the discussants. Women” on 28 January 2016. Dr. Edenheim Again, on 10 March 2016, ENH hosted the delivered a public lecture, titled, “Performativity as launching of the anthology titled Spiders and Other a Symptom: The Trembling Body in the Works of Stories by Saleha Chowdhury. The anthology, Judith Butler” on 23 February 2016 at BRACU edited by Niaz Zaman and published by writers.ink, auditorium. Besides this, Sara Edenheim also took comprises of English translations of fourteen regular classes on 'Transnational Feminism' with Bengali short stories by Chowdhury. MA students during her 3-week stay here. Inter-University National Conference: New International Conference on First Language Directions in Literary Research. Acquisition The department organised a two-day inter- On 24 March 2016, ENH organised an international university conference for students and fresh conference on “Language Acquisition, Impairment, graduates from 19-20 May 2016 at the BRAC and Intervention”. The key speakers of the University auditorium. The conference showcased conference were Prof. Thomas Klee and Prof. thirteen high quality research papers of students Stephanie Stokes who are currently affiliated with and new graduates of different universities the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, including BRACU, North South University, ULAB, University of Hong Kong. Prof. Klee and Prof. International Islamic University of Chittagong and Stokes have established child language centres at East West University. several universities including Newcastle University, UK and the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Conference Attendance and Paper Publications The conference heard relevant papers based on On 9 November 2016, Professor Firdous Azim was research from the icddr,b, Bangladesh Protibondhi invited to give a lecture at a daylong seminar, Foundation, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, and the entitled “Formation and Reformation: Women in 19 Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka and 20 Century Bengal” organized by the Dhaka University. The conference also proudly presented University History Research Centre. The lecture the research of two ENH students who worked on was based on her research on the writings of typical and atypical development of Bangla- Nawab Faizunessa Chaudhurani and Toru Dutt. speaking children. Dr. Asifa Sultana, Assistant Professor Azim spent August 22-25 in New Delhi, Professor, also presented a paper titled “Use of India to attend the publication of the book, Feminist Verb Morphology among Bangla-Speaking Subversion and Complicity: Governmentalities and Children with Language Difficulties.” Gender Knowledge in South Asia, ed. by Maitrayee Mukhopadhyay, which includes her chapter titled, Meeting with Scholars from the US “Secularism and the Women's Movement in On 12 and 14 January 2016, Dr. Poulomi Saha, Bangladesh”. Professor Azim was also part of the Assistant Professor of English, University of jury for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story California, Berkeley, had a reading session and Writers Prize for 2016. research discussions with mid-level and junior faculty members of the department. Faculty Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam was invited to sit members got the chance to know about different on the panel of jury for selecting the long list, short strategies to write a research proposal from Dr. list and consequently the winner of the prestigious Saha's feedback. DSC Prize for South Asian Fiction 2016. Professor Ania Loomba, a leading postcolonial “Magic, Money and Power in Satyajit Ray's theorist, took a class on postcolonial literature on 6 Movies” was presented by Dr. Rifat Mahbub, March 2016. Students and faculty members Assistant Professor, and “Magicians in benefitted from her lecture on reading literature Classrooms: Their Bag of Tricks" was presented by from a postcolonial perspective. Mohammad Mahmudul Haque at a two-day Annual Report 2016 | 63 international conference titled “Magic and Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul (2016) The Literature” organised by the Department of English, Usefulness of the Debate between focus on form Liberal Arts University from 27-28 May 2016 and focus on forms', BRAC University Journal of Mohammad Mahmudul Haque gave a talk titled Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. X1, Nov:1, “Post Method Pedagogy: What Why and How” at 2016, pp.63-69. International Conference on Language Teaching Sultana, Asifa. (2016). 'Morphological and Learning (ICTL) between April 22-23, 2016 Development of Bangla-Speaking Children: A Pilot organized by Center for Pedagogy established at Study'. The EFL Journal, Vol. 7, Issue 1, 2016, pp. IUB under the HEQEP-funded sub-project titled 73-92. Pedagogical Development at Undergraduate and Sultana, Asifa (2016) 'Description of verb Master's Level. morphology in colloquial Bangla', Principal Mohammad Mahmudul Haque conducted a investigator/author: Name of Publisher: BRAC webinar titled “Communicative Tasks in the University Journal of Humanities and Social Language Curriculum” for the Moldovan English Sciences, Vol. X1, Nov: 1, 2016, pp.69-79. teaching community on 19 February 2016. Sultana, Asifa, Stokes, Stephanie, Klee, Thomas, & Dr. Asifa Sultana, Assistant Professor, virtually Fletcher, Paul. (2016). 'Morphosyntactic presented a poster at the IAFOR Conference on development of Bangla speaking Preschool Language Learning, 2016 held in Honolulu, Hawaii Children', First Language, Sage Publications, Vol. (8 - 11 January 2016). The poster was titled 36, Issue 6, 2016, pp. 637- 657. “Morphosyntactic Development of Bangla- Translation Publications Speaking Children with Language Impairment”, Mohammad Mahmudl Haque translated two and was jointly authored by Asifa Sultana, interviews and two full-length research articles for Stephanie Stokes, Thomas Klee, Paul Fletcher. the book Of The Nation Born published by Zuban An invited paper on Dr. Asifa Sultana's research on Publishers, New Delhi 2016. Bangla child language acquisition was presented at Mohammad Mahmudul Haque translated a short the Conference of the European Group for Child story by Salma Bani titled “The Path of Poribibi” for Language Disorders (EUCLDIS) held in May 2016 in an anthology of fiction called The Book of Dhaka Hungary. The paper was titled “Verb Form Use by published by Comma Press, UK 2016. Bangla-speaking Preschool Children.” Faculty on Leave for Higher Studies Publications 2016 saw the departure of two faculty members in Azim, Firdous. (2016) “Secularism and the order to pursue a doctoral research programme. Women's Movement in Bangladesh”. In Feminist Subversion and Complicity: Governmentalities and Sabreena Ahmed, Senior Lecturer, left for Malaysia Gender Knowledge in South Asian, ed. Maitrayee to undertake doctoral research on multi-lingual Mukhopadhay. Zubaan Publishers: New Delhi, pp. theories and practices. 209-234. Pritilata Sharma, Lecturer, left for New Delhi, India Mahbub, Rifat (2016) "The Culture of Intensive where she will be pursuing her doctoral research on Caring: Educated Bangladeshi Immigrant Mothers translation studies at Jahawarlal Nehru University. and the Politics of Neoliberal Citizens in Britain". In Special Programmes Roberta Garrett, Tracey Jenson and Angie Viola, In its quest for excellence, BRACU encourages its We Need to Talk about Families: Essays on departments to be innovative and take up new Neoliberalsm, the Family and Popular Culture. ways in which to transmit the spirit of exploration London: Cambridge Scholars Publications. and achievement in its students. As part of the Mahbub, Rifat (2016) “The Place of Pierre wider university effort, ENH has embarked on the Bourdieu's Theories in (Popular) Cultural Studies', following specially designed programmes. Principal Investigator: co-author: Kazi Farzana Scholars Programme Shoily. BRAC University Journal of Humanities and A new programme has been launched by the Social Sciences, Vol. X1, Nov: 1, , pp.1-11. University in order to establish a separate pathway 64 | Annual Report 2016 for its best students. Students in the programme auxiliary enhancement of pedagogy and this will enroll in specially designed small classes, either project is a milestone in the history of humanities offered exclusively for the Scholars' cohort, or from studies in Bangladesh. a pool of higher level courses from the participating Convocation departments. Participating departments are ENH, The 2016 Convocation was a landmark for the ESS and SoL. The programme was piloted in 2016, department, with a record number of 80 students and it is hoped that its first graduates will attend the receiving their certificates. The BA degree was 2017 Convocation. conferred to 51 students, and the MA degree to 29 Digital Humanities Platform students. The department is extremely delighted The Department launched its first digital humanities that Nazida Akter Fabee received the Gold Medal platform on 29 September 2016. Hamim-Al-Ahsan, for attaining the highest CGPA in the BA in English Education Technology Specialist launched Arshi programme, and Lubaba Sanjana received the Nagar, the first-ever one-stop digital humanities same medal for securing the highest CGPA in MA, platform in Bangladesh. Arshi Nagar will serve both with a CGPA of 4.0. Lubaba Sanjana also worked as as an instantly-searchable-database for ENH. ENH a contractual faculty member at the department in has been trying to deploy Digital Humanities as an Fall 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 65 Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Introduction Academic Achievements The Department of Mathematics and Natural The total number of students pursuing various Sciences (MNS) was established in 2001. It has undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in been providing quality education in basic and the department in 2016 was about 400. Fourteen applied sciences to students of different disciplines UG and seven PG students from biotechnology, of BRACU, including its own. eighteen undergraduate students from Academic Programmes microbiology, four undergraduate students from physics, three UG students from Applied Physics Ongoing academic programmes at MNS are: and Electronics completed their degrees. · Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Electronics(APE) Presentation of BS and MS Theses 2016 · Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology 53 students defended their BS and MS theses · Bachelor of Science in Mathematics under the different programmes of the Department. · Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/Symposia/ · Bachelor of Science in Physics Meetings/Lectures · Master of Science in Biotechnology 122n d Birth Anniversary of Professor · Double Major in Biotechnology Satyendranath Bose · Double Major in Mathematics Bose Centre for Advanced Study and Research in · Double Major in Microbiology Natural Sciences, University of Dhaka, (DU) nd · Double Major in Physics observed the 122 birth anniversary of Professor Satyendranath Bose, the renowned physicist. · Minor in Biotechnology Professor Muhammad Ibrahim talked about the life Minor in Mathematics · and works of Professor S.N Bose. Professor A.A.Z. · Minor in Microbiology Ahmad and Professor Arshed Momen, University of · Minor in Physics Dhaka also addressed the audience. Professor Faculty Overview A.A.Z Ahmad mentioned about his meeting with Professor S.N Bose in 1971. There are 41 full-time teachers and 13 teaching assistants in the Department. The faculty members Workshop Titled “Beyond Raw Data” by BRACU have strong academic and research backgrounds Natural Sciences Club (BUNSC) and some have international experience in “Beyond Raw Data” a workshop on the preparation academia and industry. They publish regularly in and development of scientific publications, high impact journals and conferences. conducted by Dr. Haseeb Md. Irfanullah was held 66 | Annual Report 2016 on 23 January 2016. The workshop was organized Bangladesh. On 12 March 2016, after the end of the by BUNSC. The event was inaugurated by technical sessions, the AGM of BPS was held. A Professor Dr. A.A.Z. Ahmad at the MNS new Executive Board of the society was elected for Department. Dr. Irfanullah conveyed his views on 2015-2017. the topic through interactive approach. Consultation Workshop on Biosafety UNISDR Science and Technology Conference, Regulatory Guidance Document Geneva, DoE, GOB, in collaboration with South Asia Ms. Romana Siddique, attended the above- Biosafety Programme (SABP) organized the above- mentioned conference which took place from 27- mentioned Workshop from 12-13 March 2016 to 29 January 2016 at Geneva, Switzerland. She finalize the Biosafety Regulatory Guidance presented a paper titled “Environmental Disaster Document. It was held at the AMARI Hotel, Dhaka. Protection from Textile Sludge: A Biotechnology Dr. Aparna Islam, attended this meeting. A hand Based Approach”. The meeting, which brought book entitled "Recommendations and Options for together more than 700 researchers and other Regulatory Process Guidance for the Bangladesh stakeholders, aimed at developing a roadmap on Biosafety Regulatory System" was discussed. This how best science and technology could help would be a helpful manual for those who wanted to achieve the implementation of the 2015 Sendai work in the field of biotechnology in Bangladesh. Framework. On 13 March 2016 a small group of nine people were selected for an intensive discussion to finalize Seminar on “Elastic Theory for the Deformation all the decisions of the first day. Dr. Islam was the of a Spherical Dielectric Biological Object only participant from the private sector who Under Electro-optical Trapping” attended the meeting on the second day. MNS Department organized the above mentioned seminar on 11 February 2016 at BRACU A Look at Digital Future Auditorium. The speaker was Dr. Md. Mozammel To understand the current trends and impacts of Haque, Carol Davila University Hospital, . digitalization IQAC, BRACU organized a workshop Dr. Haque explained how very little amount of entitled “A Look at Digital Future” on 31 March energy could trap cancer cells. He had developed 2016. It took place at the GDLN Conference Room. some new techniques. Five students representing different programs of the MNS Department attended the workshop. Workshop on Quality Assurance, Institutional Review, Assessment Process and Accreditation National Consultation Meeting of Biosafety Standards: Role of Teaching Faculty Regulatory System IQAC of BRACU organized the above-mentioned Dr. Aparna Islam, participated in the above- day-long workshop on 10 March 2016 at BRACU mentioned meeting. It was organized by the Auditorium. A few faculty members of MNS Department of Environment and Forests on 23 April Department attended the event. Dr. M. H Rahman, 2016 at the Department of Botany, DU. Three Quality Assurance Specialist discussed various documents namely biosafety policy, monitoring aspects of institutional review including variation of and enforcement manual and amendments to the assessment process and accreditation standards biosafety rules and guidelines were finalized in the of the various universities. meeting. Ten scientists and legal personnel working in various public universities and national International Conference on Physics, Dhaka research institutes participated in the meeting. Bangladesh Physical Society (BPS) arranged an International Conference on 10-12 March, 2016 Seminar Titled “Time Reverse Imaging of AECD. At the Inaugural Ceremony Professor Tsunami Waveforms” Shamima K. Chowdhury, Vice-President of BPS Dr. Md Jakir Hossen presented his research work in gave the welcome address. The Inaugural Address the above-mentioned seminar organized by the was given by the Chief Guest Professor Hironmoy MNS Department on Thursday, 19 May, 2016. Sengupta, formerly of the Department of Physics, Application of Time Reverse Imaging (TRI) to DU. Professor A.A.Z Ahmad, President of BPS then tsunami waveform data, in order to recover the delivered his Presidential Address and stressed on initial sea surface displacement associated with the strengthening of physics education and research in tsunami source was discussed. Annual Report 2016 | 67

Lectures at NOAMI Seminar on “Green Chemistry” Professor A.A.Z Ahmad delivered a couple of MNS Department organized a seminar entitled, lectures at the NOAMI office to the participants of “Green Chemistry” on 18 July, 2016. The speaker the 13th Training Course on Oceanography: was Dr. Dawood Afzal, Professor of chemistry, Principles and Applications on 1 June 2016. Truman State University, Kirksville, USA. The Professor Ahmad covered various aspects of speaker emphasized on Green Chemistry concepts sound, acoustics, optics, heat and and practices based on a few fundamental thermodynamics, etc. to the participants who principles that evolved out of a need to address the came from Bangladesh Navy and different R/D negative impact of industrial pollution build-up and organizations of the country. MOST, GOB financed its adverse impact on human health as well as our the training course. environment during the 19th and 20th centuries in the industrial world. Lab safety and pollution AGM of NOAMI and Election prevention and ways to design “Green Labs” was The AGM of NOAMI was held at NOAMI office. After also discussed in the seminar. the presentation of the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer the meeting discussed various matters Seminar on “Towards Raw Data” regarding NOAMI's activities and the modus A seminar entitled “Towards Raw Data” was held at operandi for strengthening them. The Chairman of GDLN Conference Room on 21 July, 2016. It was an NOAMI, Professor A.A.Z. Ahmad then gave his interactive session between course coordinators presidential address. Following the AGM, the and managing team and around thirty senior election for Board of Governors of NOAMI was students from microbiology and biotechnology held. The new Board of Governors was elected programs. Dr. Aparna Islam, Dr. Mahboob Hossain uncontested. Professor Naiyyum Choudhury, and MS. Shahana Chowdhury were the key Chairman, BAERA has been elected as the next speakers of this informative session. During the Chairman of NOAMI. session Dr. Islam emphasized on thesis work and other plant biotechnology based topics, while Dr. Seminar Titled "Study of free energy and energy Hossain emphasized on topics related to of mixing for Cu(x)Al(1-x) Liquid Binary Alloys at microorganisms. Towards the end of the seminar Thermodynamic State 1373 K." Professor A. A. Z. Ahmad told the students who Mr. Fysol Ibna Abbas, Teaching Assistant in were going to start theses in the near future to stay Physics, presented his research work in the above- up-to-date about general and subject knowledge mentioned seminar organized by the MNS that would help them build confidence and more Department on 16 June, 2016. In his research, Mr. acceptance in the international arena. Abbas has systematically investigated Conference of AOGS (Asia Oceania thermodynamic properties, in particular, the free Geosciences Society) held in Beijing, China energy and energy of mixing for Cu_xAl(1-x)" liquid Dr. Md Jakir Hossen participated in the Conference binary alloys using the first order perturbation - AOGS (Asia Oceania Geosciences Society) held in theory. Beijing, China from 31 July to 05 August, 2016. He Seminar on “Imaginary Numbers: A Story” presented results of his research in the conference MNS Department organized a seminar entitled, and got positive feedback from the audience. Dr. “Imaginary Numbers: A Story” on 14 July, 2016 at Hossen works on mathematical geophysics, 10:00 am. The speaker was Mr. Mohammad particularly tsunamis triggered by undersea Hassan Murad, Lecturer of Mathematics. In this earthquakes, submarine landslides, meteorite seminar the speaker talked about the startling and impacts, etc. He utilizes mathematical tools for insistent intrusion of mysterious objects in developing a very efficient method for tsunami mathematics, usually called imaginary numbers forecasting and tsunami source inversion. (square roots of negative numbers). He discussed American Society of Microbiology (ASM) the fascinating story, the major breakthroughs, and Seminar great achievements of the history of imaginary MNS Department jointly with American Society for numbers. Microbiology organized a seminar on Wednesday, 68 | Annual Report 2016

31 August 2016. Dr. Firdausi Qadri, Acting Senior Cylinder for Mixed Convection Flow” on 12 Director, ICDDR,B was the keynote speaker of the November 2016 and her oral presentation was seminar. She first described the opportunities of appreciated by the audience. research in different areas of microbiology and the Seminar on “Study on the Predictability of the functions and benefits of being associated with ASM. Physical and Dynamical Characteristics of the Troposphere Associated with Nor'westers th Participation in the 4 Annual South Asia using WRF Model” Biosafety Conference, Hyderabad, India NOAMI arranged the above-mentioned seminar on th Dr. Aparna Islam participated in the “4 Annual Saturday, 26 November 2016 at NOAMI Office. Dr. South Asia Biosafety Conference” held in Samarendra Karmakar, Former Director, Hyderabad, India from 19-21 September 2016. Bangladesh Meteorological Department presented She participated in the poster session where her the seminar, which was based on a project carried research on climate change mitigation for tomato out with financial assistance from the MOST, GOB. crop production was presented. The audience consisted of NOAMI members and Participation at the “Young Scientists researchers from different R/D organizations. The Congress” function was presided over by Professor A.A.Z. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) and Inter Ahmad. Academy Partnership (IAP) jointly organized the Hands-on Experience Workshop in “Young Scientists Congress” from 27-28 October Microbiology and Molecular Biology at BRACU 2016 at the auditorium of National Museum of Biotechnology and Microbiology programmes of Science and Technology, Agargaon, Dhaka. A MNS Dept in collaboration with American Society group of faculty members of the MNS Department, for Microbiology (ASM) organized a day-long in the biotechnology and microbiology workshop on 19 December 2016 at the auditorium programmes along with two teaching assistants of BRACU. Professor A. A. Z Ahmad was present in attended the programme. The areas of research the occasion as the Chief Guest. He encouraged were health, agriculture, engineering, environment, the young students to take up career in biology etc. especially in microbiology and biotechnology. At Participation at the “Women Scientists Mentor- the closing session Professor Dr. Rita Yusuf, Dean Mentees Programme” of the School of Life Sciences, IUB was present as BAS and FAP jointly organized the “Women the Chief Guest and distributed crests and Scientists Mentor-Mentees Program” on 29 certificates. She also handed over the crests to IUB October 2016 at the auditorium of National students, the winning team of the debate Museum of Science and Technology, Agargaon, competition. Dhaka. Two faculty members Ms. Jebunnesa Study Tours and Visits Chowdhury, and Ms. Romana Siddique attended the program. Challenges of the women scientists Visit to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology were discussed in the programme. (AFIP) Fifth International Symposium on Heat Transfer Thirty students along with three faculty members of and Energy Conservation (ISHTEC-2016), the biotechnology and microbiology programs Guangzhou, China visited AFIP on 14 January 2016 to have a practical Ms. Sharmina Hussain attended the 5th idea on the diagnostic microbiology and International Symposium on Heat Transfer and immunology. There the students were shown how Energy Conservation (ISHTEC-2016), held from 11- pathological specimens such as blood were 14 November 2016 at Guangzhou, China. More cultured. There was practical demonstration on than 300 scientists from different parts of the world, various tests for bacterial identification, graced this occasion with their valuable research interpretation of Western blotting results and ELISA presentations. Ms. Hussain presented one of her for viral identification and many other relevant research findings entitled “Heat and Mass Transfer techniques. The team was led by Dr. M. Mahboob Response along Heated Horizontal Circular Hossain. Annual Report 2016 | 69

Visit to the AERE and the National Institute of Visit to the BRAC Dairy and Food, Gazipur Biotechnology (NIB) at Savar A group of students of BS biotechnology A group of twenty eight undergraduate students programme visited the BRAC Dairy and Food, from biotechnology program of the MNS Gazipur on 24 November 2016. The team consisted Department visited the AERE and the NIB with two of thirty three students and three faculty members. faculty members, Ms. Jebunnesa Chowdhury and The visiting team was then taken around the Ms. Abira Khan on 3 March 2016. At AERE, they different laboratories, production floors and the were accompanied by scientists to see the various powder milk production plant. research facilities at the Institute of Food and Training on Self-Assessment Radiation Biology and Tissue Banking and One-day training on “Self-Assessment Concepts Biomaterial Research Centre. and Techniques” was held on Thursday, 14 January Visit to the Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited 2016 at GDLN Conference Room organized by A group of students from biotechnology program of IQAC, BRACU. Dr. Aparna Islam, Mr. Mahabobe the MNS Department, visited the Zirabo Plant of Shobahani, Ms. Jebunnesa Chowdhury and Ms. Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited at Savar on 12 Romana Siddique attended the programme as March 2016. The team included twenty four UG and members of Self-Assessment Committee (SAC). MS students accompanied by three faculty MNS Faculty Elected Executive Member of members. The team were given an overview of Bangladesh Mathematical Society physical, chemical and microbiological quality Mr. Mohammad Maruf Ahmed has been elected control of pharmaceutical products using Executive Member of “Bangladesh Mathematical sophisticated machines like HPLC, UHPLC, IR, LC- Society (BMS) held on 15 January 2016 at A F MS-MS etc. Overall, the visit provided the students Mujibur Rahman Ganit Bhaban, DU for the year a practical learning experience of various 2016-17. technologies used in pharmaceutical industry. International Plastic Summit Visit to the Bangladesh National Herbarium 18 students and 3 faculty members of the MNS A group of undergraduate students from Department attended the seminar of the “Plastic biotechnology programme of the MNS Department Waste Management” as part of the International visited Bangladesh National Herbarium (BNH), Plastic Summit 2016, held at the Bangabandhu located at Zoo Road, Mirpur, Dhaka on 28 July International Conference Centre from 19-22 2016, with two of the faculty members of the January 2016. Several studies regarding the Department, Ms. Jebunnesa Chowdhury and Ms. management and use of plastic waste both in Romana Siddique. At BNH, the students were first Bangladesh and abroad were presented in the briefed about the history of the herbarium, its seminar. administration, activities carried out by BNH Inaugural Ceremony of the Twelfth Training together with its vision and mission. Then the Course on Oceanography; Principles and students visited herbarium laboratory, where Applications, Dhaka preservation activities, scientific research, classification and proper storage of plant species in The Inaugural Ceremony of the above-mentioned training course was held at the auditorium of the herbarium paper is done. Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka (AECD) on 19 March Visit to the Water Treatment Plant at Saidabad 2016. The course was organized by NOAMI with A group of 37 UG and PG students from financial assistance from the Ministry of Science biotechnology and microbiology programmes and Technology, GOB. Professor Mesbahuddin visited the Water Treatment Plant at Saidabad with Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Gono two faculty members on 03 November, 2016. The Bishwabidyalay and also the President of team was given an informative briefing on the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences graced the different treatment processes, like pre-chlorination, occasion as its Chief Guest. Professor Naiyyum coagulation, filtration, disinfection, pH correction Chowdhury, Vice-Chairman of NOAMI gave the which were used at the plant to make the water Welcome Address. In his Inaugural Address, potable as well as wholesome to the consumers. Professor Mesbahuddin Ahmed lauded the role 70 | Annual Report 2016 played by NOAMI for promoting the study of MNS Department provides for teaching basic oceanography in Bangladesh. Professor A.A.Z. science subjects like physics, applied physics and Ahmad, Chairman, NOAMI presided over the electronics, mathematics, biotechnology and function. microbiology. Later, the students visited the labs of the MNS Department. “Training on Basic Biotechnology” at NIB at Savar Closing and Certificate Award Ceremony The “Training on Basic Biotechnology” arranged by The Closing and Certificate Award Ceremony of the NIB was held from 5-10 March 2016. For the first “Twelfth Training Course on Oceanography: time, two MS students, Ms. Maisha Mosharrat Principles and Applications” organized by NOAMI Chowdhury and Ms. Tasmin Naila from the MS in was held at the auditorium of the Atomic Energy Biotechnology programme participated in this Centre, Dhaka on Saturday, 6 August 2016. training. Twenty students from nine different Architect Yafesh Osman, Minister of MOST graced universities took part in the training. On the last day, the occasion as the Chief Guest. The function was at the Closing and Certificate Award Ceremony presided over by NOAMI Chairman, Professor certificates were given to the participants by Dr. A.A.Z. Ahmad and was attended by NOAMI Md. Salimullah, DG, NIB. Dr. Shakil Ahmed Khan, members, resource persons, participants of the CSO and Divisional Head, Insect Biotechnology, training course and other distinguished IFRB, AERE was present as the Chief Guest. researchers and scientists. The function was followed by a dinner in a local restaurant. Green Dhaka Campus Campaign, Dhaka Best Researcher Award 2015 BRACU Earth and Environment Forum arranged Dr. Hasibun Naher received the “Best Researcher the above-mentioned seminar in cooperation with Award 2015” on 10 November 2016. Sir Fazle Agricultural Extension Department, GOB, Sher-e- Hasan Abed, KCMG, Chairperson of BRAC Bangla Agricultural University, Universal Medical University's Board of Trustees handed over the College and Hospital Ltd. and Dhaka North City award. Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Vice- Corporation on 23 March 2016 at BRACU chancellor of BRACU, Members of the BOT, the auditorium. Professor A.A.Z. Ahmad spoke as a Syndicate and the Academic Council, faculty Special Guest on the occasion. members and other distinguished guests were Poster Presentation by BRACU Students at the present on the occasion. Dr. Naher received the World DNA Day celebration award for her outstanding scientific research work. Two undergraduate students, Rifaquat Ahmed and 8th National Undergraduate Mathematics Mehnaz Tabassum, from biotechnology Olympiad- 2016 programme presented a poster at the World DNA The MNS Department in collaboration with Day celebration organized by the Department of Bangladesh Mathematical Society (BMS) Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, DU on 25 organized the Regional Round (Dhaka North April 2016. The theme of the poster competition Region) of the 8th National Undergraduate was “Biotechnology-based innovative approaches Mathematics Olympiad- 2016 on 12 November for national development”. The students selected 2016 at the BRACU campus in the city. Students of the recent discovery of plastic degrading bacteria 29 public and private universities and colleges from as the topic for their poster and explained to the Dhaka North Region took part in this Olympiad audience how this would be used to solve the where BRACU students by their extraordinary current pollution problem of the country. performance have secured most of the top-level Visit of MNS Department by Students of positions. A total of 5 students, out of the 10 best Scholastica School ones, were selected from BRACU in this regional About 10-12 A-level students in science group of round. Scholastica School, Dhaka came to visit the MNS Awareness Building Programme on Nuclear Department on 21 June 2016 at 12.30 pm. Power Generation, Dhaka Professor A.A.Z. Ahmad addressed the students Professor A.A.Z. Ahmad was the Special Guest in and talked about the importance and relevance of the Awareness Building Programme on Nuclear science education in general and the facilities that Annual Report 2016 | 71

Power Generation arranged by the Law Society of Publications: School of Law, BRACU and Rotary Club of Dhaka Book North South held in the BRACU Auditorium on Impact Evaluation Study on Artificial Insemination Monday, 28 November 2016. Dr. M. Shafiqul Islam, Activities Extension and Embryo Transfer Department of Nuclear Engineering, DU was the Technology Implementation Project (Phase-II). keynote speaker. Mr. Mohammad Ayub, District (2016). Md. Mufazzel Hossain, Md.Jahangir Alam, Governor RI District 3281 was the Chief Guest at Mohammad Rafiqul Islam. Evaluation Sector, the function attended by faculty members, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division researchers from different universities and R/D (IMED), Ministry of Planning, Government of organizations and BRACU students. People's Republic of Bangladesh,June 2016 by Awards in the 8th International PTC&B Samahar Consultants Ltd. Conference, Dhaka Journal Articles: A team of eight including faculty members and Local Journals students from the biotechnology programme of t h Faria Mahjabeen, Sazzad Khan, Naiyyum MNS Department participated in the 8 Choudhury, M. Mahboob Hossain and Trosporsha International Plant Tissue Culture and Tasnim Khan. 2016. Isolation of Cellulolytic Biotechnology Conference held at Dhaka from 3-5 Bacteria from Soil, Identification by 16S rRNA Gene December 2016. The biotechnology team Sequencing and Characterization of Cellulase. presented five research papers and one poster in Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology.Volume 33. four different scientific sessions and a poster Accepted. session. One of the papers received the Best Presentation Award and the poster received the Md. Saiful Islam, Chitra Das, Mehnaz Sharmin, Kazi Best Poster Award. Mr. Md. Rafid Feisal, Teaching Md. Amzad Hussain and Shamima Choudhury. Assistant presented the best awarded paper 2016. Effect of Doping Concentration on the Optical Properties of Indium-Doped Gallium entitled “In silico analysis, homology modelling and Arsenide thin films. Journal of Bangladesh comparison between salt tolerance determinants Academy of Sciences. 40(2) 179-186. Arababidopsis thaliana Na+/H+ exchanger 1 and 2 (AtNHX1 and AtNHX2) proteins”. Mr. Md. Mubassir Mitali Biswas, Mehnaz Sharmin, Chitra Das, Jibon Rahman and Ms. Anamika Datta, a Graduate Poddar and Shamima Choudhury. 2016. Structural student and a Teaching Assistant respectively, and Optical Characterization of Magnesium Doped presented the best poster awarded in this event. Zinc Oxide Thin Films Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis. The title of their poster was “Tissue culture Dhaka University Journal of Science. 64(1) 1-6. independent transformation of three tomato S. S. Riva, Aparna Islam and M. E. Hoque. 2016. In varieties with AtNHX1, a vacuolar antiporter for vitro Regeneration and Rapid Multiplication of salinity tolerance”. Dendrobium bensoniae, an Indigenous Ornamental The 8th National Undergraduate Mathematics Orchid. The Agriculturists 14(2): 24-31. Olympiad- 2016 (Final Round) Doi:10.3329/ agric.v14i2.29096 The Mathematics Department of BUET in Tasnia Islam, Naiyyum Choudhury, M. Mahboob collaboration with Bangladesh Mathematical Hossain and Trosporsha Tasnim Khan. 2016. Society (BMS) organized the Final Round of the 8th Isolation of Amylase Producing Bacteria from Soil, National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad Identification by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and (NUMO)- 2016 on 23 December 2016 at BUET Characterization of Amylase. Bangladesh Journal campus in the city. A total of 60 students selected of Microbiology. Volume 33. Accepted. from six regions of Bangladesh competed in the Tasnim Rahman, Hasnain Heickal. Shamira final round. This was the final round for selecting the Tabrejee, Md. Miraj Kobad Chowdhury, Sheikh most talented and brightest undergraduate Muhammad Sarwar and Mohammad Shoyaib. mathematicians. Five students from BRACU took 2016. SeqDev: An Algorithm for Constructing part in the Final Round competition. Sadat Husain Genetic Elements Using Comparative Assembly. th from MNS Department secured the 6 position in Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. 26(1): 105- th the 8 NUMO-2016 competition and upheld the 121. doi: 10.3329/ptcb.v26i1.29772 flag of BRACU. 72 | Annual Report 2016

International Journals Journal of Science and Technology. 07(11), 3912- H. Naher, F. A. Abdullah. 2016 . Further extension of 3918. the generalized and improved (G'/G)-expansion Nazneen Jahan, Jamil Mahmud, Fatema Akter, method for nonlinear evolution equation, Journal of Salequl Islam and M. Hasibur Rahman. 2016. the Association of Arab Universities for Basic and Diversity of Plasmid Profile in Multi-drug Resistant Applied Sciences, 19, 52-58. Non- E. coli Intestinal Flora Lacking Association Iftekhar Md. Shafiqul Kalam, Mohammad Mastak with Resistance Phenomenon. British Microbiology Al Amin. 2016. Trends of Women's Participation in Research Journal 14(6): 1-8. Economic Activity of Bangladesh: Status and Fahim Shafa, Mohammad Shahriar, F. A. Dain Md. Disparity. European Scientific Journal. 12(35), 48- Opo, Rumana Akhter, M. Mahboob Hossain and 56. Nayyium Choudhury (2016) Characterization of J. Dettmer , R. Hawkins, P. R. Cummins, J. Hossen, phytoconstitutents, in vitro antioxidant activity and M. Sambridge, R. Hino, and D. Inazu. 2016. pharmacological investigation of the root extract of Tsunami source uncertainty estimation: The 2011 Typhonium trilobatum. International journal of pharmaceutical sciences and research. 7 (4): 1694 - Japan tsunami, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 121, 1704. 44834505, doi:10.1002/2015JB012764 M. Mahboob Hossain, Sharmin Biswas, Zubaida M.H. Murad 2016. Some analytical models of Marufee Islam. (2016) Study of some commonly anisotropic strange stars. Astrophys. Space Sci. prescribed antibiotics against some infectios 361:20 doi: 10.1007/s10509-015-2582-2 disease in Bangladesh. International journal of Md. Mahafuzur Rahaman, Kazi Md. Amjad Pharmaceutics and drug analysis 4(4): 165-171. Hussain, Mehnaz Sharmin, Chitra Das, Shamima Abstracts Choudhury. 2016. Structure, Morphology and Opto-Electrical Properties of Nanostructured Local

Indium Doped SnO2 Thin Films Deposited by J. Choudhury and I. Rahman. 2016. Analysis of Thermal Evaporation. European Scientific Journal. phytochemical constituents and antioxidant 12(27) 263-275. activity of Bangladeshi green tea (Camellia sinensis)” in the 8th International Plant Tissue Nepal C. Roy, S. Hussain, and Md. Anwar Hossain. Culture & Biotechnology Conference, 2016 Dhaka, 2016. Unsteady laminar Mixed Convection Bangladesh (December 03-05) at University of Boundary layer flow near a vertical wedge due to Dhaka, Bangladesh. oscillations in the free stream and surface temperature. Int. J. of Applied Mechanics and J. Choudhury and Naima. 2016. Phytochemical Engineering, 21(1), 169-186. doi:10.1515/ijame- screening of Artemisia nilagirica” in the 8th 2016-0011 International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, 2016 Dhaka, Bangladesh (December P. Bhar , M. H. Murad. 2016. Relativistic compact 03-05) at University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. anisotropic charged stellar models with Chaplygin equation of state. Astrophys. Space Sci. 361:334 M.M Rahman, A. Datta, Z.I. Seraj and Aparna Islam. doi:10.1007/s10509-016-2923 2016. Tissue culture independent transformation of three tomato varieties with AtNHX1, a vacuolar Q. M. Ul Hassan, H. Naher, F. A. Abdulla, S. T. antiporter for salinity tolerance. 8th International Mohyud-Din. 2016. Solutions of the nonlinear Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology evolution equation via the generalized Riccati Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December equation mapping together with the (G'/G)- 2016. expansion method. Journal of Computational M.R. Feisal and A. Islam. 2016. In silico analysis, Analysis & Applications, 21(1) 62-82. homology modelling and comparison between salt Zubaida Marufee Islam, Kasmery Khan, Shagoofa tolerance determinants Arababidopsis thaliana Rakhshanda, Rabab Mahdi and Iftekhar Na+ /H + exchanger 1 and 2 (AtNHX1 and AtNHX2) Muhammad Chowdhury. 2016. Antibacterial and proteins. 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Phytochemical Screening of Pimpinella anisum Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3- through optimized extraction procedure. Asian 5 December 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 73

A. Datta, M-E-M Ferdous, S. Razzaque, Z.I. Seraj and Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, and A. Islam. 2016. Genetic transformation of two Bangladesh, 3-5 December 2016. tomato (SolanumlycopersicumMill.) explants by International introducingNa+ /H + antiporter gene to generate H. Naher. 2016. Analytical Solutions of Coupled transgenics to resist salinity stress. 8th International Nonlinear Evolution Equations in Mathematical Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Physics, 3rd Computational Mathematics and Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December Applications Conference (CMA 2016) 14-16 2016. January, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. M.M. Chowdhury, S.Z. Shormee, A.T. Oshin, S. H. Naher. 2016. Analytical Approach for the Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2016. In vitro Nonlinear Coupled Equations, The 4th International regeneration of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.): Conference on Mathematical Sciences (ICMS4) a promising oil seed crop for the coastal region of Palm Garden, IOI Resort, Putrajaya, 15-17 th Bangladesh. 8 International Plant Tissue Culture November, 2016. 74 | Annual Report 2016 Department of Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a noble profession which deals with course which is divided into eight consecutive alleviating human sufferings caused by various semesters and accredited by Bangladesh diseases through the use of various drug products. Pharmacy Council. With twenty full-time faculty This field is concerned with the development and members and many renowned guest faculty dispensation of medications from different natural members from their respective field, the and synthetic sources as well as the optimization of Department of Pharmacy, BRACU, started their the physical, chemical, biological and journey in 2010 offering courses in physiology, pharmacological actions of these pharmaceutical pharmacognosy, pharmacology, pharmaceutical products. The Pharmacy programme offers an technology, biopharmaceutics and outstanding degree to start off a career in the pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacy, medicinal pharmaceutical industry by providing the chemistry, regulatory affairs, etc. The department necessary professional knowledge, hands-on also has five modern laboratories to demonstrate experience and research skills. This programme laboratory work and conduct advanced-level also serves as a platform for young pharmacists to research. perform and compete not only in the local arena but Faculty Overview also globally. The faculty members of the Department of Our Vision Pharmacy have graduated from reputed public and To inspire our students towards maintaining a high private institutions having obtained advanced standard and fostering innovative thinking that will degrees from Bangladesh and also from renowned work for the betterment of the pharmaceutical universities all over the world. They are actively industry as well as of mankind. involved in research areas such as pharmaceutical technology, pharmacology, epidemiology, Our Mission pharmaceutical marketing, environmental To develop and nurture competent students who toxicology and phytochemistry. will become leaders and innovators in pharmaceutical education, research, development Educational and Other Activities and practice. Seminars Programme The Department of Pharmacy organized a seminar Currently, the Department of Pharmacy is offering titled “Exploring Leadership” with the close Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree for the association of BRACU Pharma Society (BUPS) in enrolled students. The curriculum in BRAC February 2016. The seminar was held at the University (BRACU) is designed to introduce the BRACU auditorium and it was coordinated by a students to the technological and scientific aspects group of four members of BYLC (Bangladesh Youth underlying the preparation of various dosage forms Leadership Centre) team. Another seminar was and drug delivery systems and to their use in organized in the same month at the BRACU patient care. B. Pharm. is a four-year integrated auditorium titled “Doing Now What Patients Need Annual Report 2016 | 75

Next”. It was conducted by a group of four Campaign & Community Service members of Roche Bangladesh Ltd. and the In January 2016, the students of the Department of keynote speaker of this seminar was Dr. Pharmacy, under the banner of BUPS (BRACU Mohammad Afroz Jalil, Managing Director and Pharma Society) donated clothes at Kamalapur Country Manager of Roche Bangladesh Ltd. The and Korail slum. In March 2016 the organization seminar was held mainly to draw attention to the celebrated and campaigned for “World students of the Department of Pharmacy towards Tuberculosis Day” to fight against tuberculosis, one “Pharmacovigilance”, a vibrant topic in the Pharma of the world's top infectious killers. In March, 2016 Industry these days. A rather pragmatic seminar on the department organized a campaign to promote climate change was organized in April, 2016 in “Oral Health Day”. The purpose of the campaign association with BUPS at the Department of was to provide a platform to participate in the Pharmacy, BRACU. Mr. M. Zubair Hossain, world-wide effort to convey the message regarding President, Green Steps Partner (GSP) was the oral health in a single, unifying and simple manner. keynote speaker on this occasion. This campaign was sponsored by Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. In April, 2016 a team of 17 In October, 2016 the department organized a members of BUPS along with three faculty seminar, titled 'Better English for a Brighter Future' members of the Department of Pharmacy with the at the BRACU auditorium. The seminar was help of a physician participated in the health conducted by Dr. Mark Bartholomew, Director of checkup campaign at the outfall Telegupara Quality Assessment and Capacity Building, Community School. In the same month, BUPS BRACU. The seminar was organized to introduce participated in a clean-up programme, entitled the students of the Department of Pharmacy to the “Save Buriganga, Save Dhaka's heart” at the website 'Read Listen Learn'. Buriganga river bank area to celebrate “Earth Day”. Lastly two seminars, titled 'Recent Developments The campaign was organized by a non-profit in Molecular Medicine' and 'Informatics in Target- organization, Green steps Partner (GSP), based in Maryland, USA. Volunteers from different based Drug Discovery' were also organized by the organizations such as BUPS, University of Liberal department in the last two consecutive months of Arts (ULAB) and different Rotaract clubs November and December 2016. The speaker of participated in the programme. In order to continue these seminars were Dr. Rasheduzzaman with this motto of raising awareness against Chowdhury, Research Scientist, University of diseases, BUPS again came forward with an idea to Oxford, United Kingdom. These seminars were celebrate “World Malaria Day”. The event was organized to introduce the students to the recent organized in April 2016 with a slogan “End Malaria prospects of molecular medicine and informatics in for Good”. On this occasion, the team BUPS target-based drug discovery and development. arranged an online awareness campaign to convey Workshops a sustainable message regarding the In February 2016 four faculty members of the consequences of malaria to the general mass. The BUPS also celebrated 'World Pharmacist's Day' in Department of Pharmacy attended the TLC Follow- September 2016 by distributing leaflets reflecting up Workshop at the BRACU auditorium. The the contribution of pharmacists to our society in BRACU Pharma Society (BUPS) also organized an BRACU Mohakhali campus. 'IT workshop' at the Department of Pharmacy premises in April 2016. In July 2016 the same List of Publications organization hosted an Academic Development In 2016, the faculty members of the Department of Session (ADS) for the students. It was conducted Pharmacy, BRACU published a good number of by the two faculty members of the department, Dr. research articles in many international peer Zulfiquer Hossain (Associate Professor) and Mr. reviewed journals, which include major fields such Samiul Alam Rajib (Senior Lecturer). A workshop on as Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacology, 'Organizing Your Research with a Citation Phytochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, etc. Manager' was also organized by the Department of The list of publications are given below: Pharmacy in July 2016 for its students as well as for Hossain MZ, Kabir ER, Hossain MZ (2016). A Novel the faculty members, which was also conducted by Health Insurance Scheme for Cancer Care in Mr. Samiul Alam Rajib. In August 2016 an Bangladesh. Rev. Integr. Bus. Econ. Res. 5(3): 183- Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) 223. workshop was hosted by the Self-Assessment Committee (SAC) of the Department for the faculty Parvin S, Islam MS, Al-Mamun MM, Islam MS, members. Ahmed MU, Kabir ER, Hasnat A (2016). Association 76 | Annual Report 2016 of BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, and HER2 gene Calamus rotang L. seed in rat. Research Journal of polymorphisms with the breast cancer Pharmacognosy (RJP). Volume 3, Issue 2, Spring risk in the Bangladeshi population. Breast Cancer, 2016; page: 33-40; Iranian Society of Springer. PubMed. Pharmacognosy No.8 Shams Alley, Vali-e-Asr Islam M and Kabir ER (2016). Development of a Street, Tehran, Iran, PO Box: 1516745811. Strategic Model of Customer Relationship Uddin MS, Haque A, Mamun AA, Iqbal MA, Kabir Management for the Pharmaceutical Industry of MT, RonyRK and Begum M (2016). Searching the Bangladesh. African Journal of Pharmacy and Linkage between High Fat Diet and Alzheimer's Pharmacology. 10(19): 430-441. Disease: A Debatable Proof Stand for Ketogenic Neelotpol S, Hay AWM, Jolly AJ, Woolridge MW Diet to Alleviate Symptoms of Alzheimer's Patient (2016). Challenges of collecting bio-matrices from with APOE e4 Allele. Journal of Neurology & ethnic minority in clinical and epidemiological Neurophysiology. 7:397. research: Evidence from UK. BMJ Open. Kabir MT, Basak D, Rahman MA, Sarker MAK, 6:e010554 doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010554. Ahmed S and Hasan M (2016). The Scenario of Neelotpol S and Hia RA (2016). Lead exposure of COPD in Dhaka City Bangladesh: Extensive Bangladeshi women at child bearing age: Do Analysis of the Prevalence, Manifestations and education and practice matter? Journal of Local Standards of Diagnosis & Treatment. International and Global Health Sciences. Journal of Research in Pharmacology & http://dx.doi.org/10.5339/jlghs.2016.1. Pharmacotherapeutics. 5(2), 192-198. Akter R, Uddin SJ, Tiralongo J, Grice ID, Tiralongo E Akram, F and Kabir, MT, (2016). Characterization of (2016). A new cytotoxic diterpenoid glycoside from Gliclazide-Loaded Combination of Polymer the leaves of Blumea lacera and its effects on Microspheres Prepared by Emulsification Solvent apoptosis and cell cycle. Nat Prod. Res. 2016 Mar Evaporation Method. Scholars Academic Journal 16:1-6. In press. of Pharmacy. 5(8), 309-316. Shahriar M, Khair N.Z, Sheikh Z, Chowdhury S.F et Kabir, MT, Munir, MS and Rahman, MA, (2016). al (2016). Phytochemical Analysis, Cytotoxic and In Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS): vitro Antioxidant Activity of Erythrina variegate An Approach for Solubility, Dissolution and Bark. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 11(3): Bioavailability Enhancement of Furosemide. 1-5 Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy. 5(7), 289- 296. Shahriar M, Khair N.Z, Sheikh Z, Chowdhury S.F et al (2016). Characterization of phytoconstituents Conference Paper and potential bioactivity of Annona reticulata L. leaf A Novel Health Insurance Scheme for Cancer Care extract. Journal of Pharmacognosy and in Bangladesh' at the SIBR (Society of Phytochemistry. 5(1): 42-45 Interdisciplinary Business Research) -Thammasat', Tasnim F., Rahman I., Rahman M.S. & Islam R. Bangkok Conference on 'Interdisciplinary Business (2016). A Review of Occupational Health Safety in and Economics Research (2016). Bangladesh with respect to Asian Continent. Association of COQ2 and TNF alpha gene International Journal of Public health and Safety. 1: polymorphisms with the toxicity regarding the 102. doi: 10.4172/ijphs.1000102. cholesterol lowering effect of HMG CoA Reductase Sunjida SB, Rahman I, Yesmine S, Islam R (2016). Inhibitors (Statins) in hyperlipidemic subjects- Assessing the Quality of Household and Drinking Second South Asian Biotechnology Conference Water in Industrial Zone of Bangladesh and (SABC). Its Toxicological Impact on Healthy Sprague Industrial Training Dawley Rats. Journal of Applied Pharmacy. 8:224. doi:10.4172/1920-4159.1000224. In 2016, (January 2016-21 students; September 2016-22 students and December 2016-7 students) Huq S, Ali MS, Islam R, Manzoor F, Rahman I (2016). about 50 students from the Department of Biological Evaluation of Native and Exotic Plants of Pharmacy went for industrial training at Beximco Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Pharmacy. 8:226. Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Sanofi Bangladesh Ltd., doi:10.4172/1920-4159.1000226. Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Eskayef Ripa FA, Dash PR, Podder AK (2016). Anti-diarrheal Bangladesh Ltd. as a requirement for fulfillment of and hypoglycemic activities of methanol extract of their B. Pharm. degree. Annual Report 2016 | 77

Industrial Visit: Rajib, who is a Senior Lecturer of the Department of On 1 October 2016, the students and three faculty Pharmacy, participated in the International Biology members from the Department of Pharmacy, Olympiad as a member of the Jury. In October BRACU went for a day-long visit to the 2016, some of the faculty members of the manufacturing plant of Incepta Pharmaceuticals Department of Pharmacy, BRACU attended a Ltd., a leading pharmaceutical company located at seminar, titled 'Innovative Technology in Pharmacy Tongi, Gazipur. Compounding and Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs' at Lakeshore Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Student Activity In November, 2016, two faculty members of the In March 2016, two teams each consisting of two Department of Pharmacy, Zara Sheikh, Senior students of the Department of Pharmacy, led by Lecturer and Monica Sharfin Rahman, Lecturer Md. Samiul Alam Rajib, who is a Senior Lecturer in were nominated for the "BRACU Faculty and Staff the Department, participated in the Pharma Fest Awards" in the best teaching category. The award programme “Get Solution, Not Just Medication”. ceremony was held at the BRAC Centre, Gulshan, The Pharma Fest was held at North South Dhaka. In this award ceremony, Zara Sheikh, Senior University (NSU) and was attended by the students Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy received the of several universities such as University of Dhaka, best teacher award for the year 2015. Khulna University, East West University, etc. An ex- student of the Department of Pharmacy, Brata Events Katha Nath, recently received the ICCR (Indian The BRACU Pharma Society (BUPS) and Council for Cultural Relations), 2016-2017 Department of Pharmacy, BRACU has jointly scholarship, awarded by the Indian Government to celebrated the International Mother Language Day study “Masters in Pharmacy” at the Gujarat by organizing a cultural event entitled “Ekush Mane Technological University, India. In July 2016, one of Matha Noto Na Kora” in February 2016 at BRACU the students from the Department of Pharmacy, auditorium. A photo exhibition by the students of BRACU, Qazi Ashrafur Rahman Abir, was elected the Department had also been organized for the Regional Relationship Officer, 2016-2017 of IPSF, same purpose. APRO (International Pharmaceutical Students Federation, Asia Pacific Regional Office). In BUPS organized an orientation programme for the October, 2016, the 'Pharma Phantoms', the team students of Spring 2016 semester of the created by three students of the department won Department of Pharmacy in March 2016. BUPS the grand finale of first intra-university quiz always makes an effort to create a festive mood competition of BRACU. In October, 2016, the new among the students by celebrating the Bengali executive body of 'Pharmacist Welfare Association culture and all its traditions. With this in mind, in of Bangladesh' was announced and some of the April 2016, BUPS arranged a fun activity, Mehedi students from the department were selected as Uthshob, just before the day of Pohela Boishakh at potential members of this executive body. A BRACU, Mohakhali campus. A small get together graduate of the Department of Pharmacy, Samin of BUPS members was organized to increase the Huq, has joined WHO Bangladesh Country Office interaction among its members at Café Euphoria in as a Project Facilitator of IVD (Immunization and the month of May, 2016. BUPS also arranged an Vaccine Development) Programme - Bangladesh in iftar party at the indoor games premise of BRACU the Chittagong Division. In November 2016, the campus in June 2016. In September 2016, the new panel of BRACU Pharma Society (BUPS) was BUPS jointly organized a Club Fair, Summer 2016, elected and this election was held at the Indoor 'Club de Carnaval' with the other clubs of BRACU. games premise of BRACU. The BUPS club also The day chosen for the fair was 'World participated in an inter-club cricket tournament, Pharmacist's Day', and therefore, it was an BRACU Premier League (BUPL), organized by immense pleasure for the BUPS members to Cricket BRACU (CBU) club at the Shamoli club field honour the day in the club fair. in November 2016. In December 2016, Marzana Projects by the Students Monefa, a student of the Department of Pharmacy The Department of Pharmacy arranged project was selected as one of the youth delegates at 100 presentation of the students of Spring' 2012 members Bangladeshi youth delegation visit to semester in March 2016 and in September 2016. India 2016. The students came up with interesting projects Activity of Faculty Members under the supervision of various faculty members in In June 2016, the faculty members of Department different major fields such as Pharmaceutical of Pharmacy, BRACU went for an iftar at the Technology, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry, Lakeshore Hotel, Banani, Dhaka. Md. Samiul Alam Environmental Toxicology, etc.

INSTITUTES

BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BIED) BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) 80 | Annual Report 2016 BRAC Institute of Educational Development

VISION developing their knowledge regarding education A world where all children grow up with dignity as and learning. The students are trained and informed and healthy adults. groomed in such a way that they can apply their knowledge and skills through practice and critical MISSION analysis. BIED will strive to be a centre for innovation in educational development and wellbeing. The following Masters Programmes are being offered: WHAT WE DO Master of Education/ Postgraduate Diploma Since July 2004 BRAC Institute of Educational (MEd/PGd) in Educational Leadership and School Development (BIED) has aimed at contributing to Improvement: The Master of Education/ the development of the national education through Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership activities that are specially designed to tap into and School Improvement is a one year academic potential and emerging areas through academics, programme that ensures a rich and diverse learning professional & capacity development as well as environment for mid-career, working professionals research. of different educational organisations. Our carefully BIED works to develop the education sector in tailored pedagogy trains students to strengthen Bangladesh from multi-dimensional angles their knowledge base and develop their through: large-scale educational researches; competencies in a variety of areas, including support to the public sector through capacity leadership and management, academic and development and textbook refinement; develop research, advanced skills in communication, etc. school models for quality education; advocate in Master Of Science/Postgraduate Diploma the areas of Early Childhood Development (ECD); (MSc/PGd) in Early Childhood Development: The foster psychosocial and mental wellbeing through Master of Science (MSc)/PGd in Early Childhood training and research. Development (ECD) is a pioneer programme, the Academic Programmes first of its kind in Bangladesh. Intended to attract BIED's team of highly qualified and experienced and create more professionals in the field of Early faculty members, as well as resource persons and Childhood Development (ECD), as well as build a researchers, consistently seek to ensure the greater understanding on ECD itself, the one-year diversity and richness to the learning environment. programme is a diverse combination of classroom The programmes are aimed to enhance the minds studies and field research that helps train of mid-career working professionals from different professionals working in the ECD field as well as educational organizations who are keen on further teachers. The course outline is carefully designed Annual Report 2016 | 81 to understand ECD on a national and global scale, counselling services, research opportunities and covering in major issues in the ECD field in an model development. CfPW works in the following interactive and participatory manner through areas: Communication skills; Non-judgmental individual and group learning methods. attitude; Empathy; Confidentiality; Psychological first aid, Mindfulness based stress management; Short Courses: BIED is involved in the capacity Anger management; Healthy relationships; development of government officials and teachers Situation analysis and goal settings; Socio- through its provision of short courses and trainings. emotional changes during adolescence; Self- An extensive exchange of ideas and opinions with defense; Drug addiction; Bullying and Parenting. the government revealed the need for positive changes in classroom teaching, learning and Design Lab management. The courses involve training to BIED's Design Lab is an innovative hub that strives teachers, instructors and coordinators and to contribute to the education sector through, government officials in the education sector. curriculum and textbook refinement of Primary and ECD & Centre for Play Secondary schools, graphics and illustrations of textbooks and ensuring that the design is relevant Early Childhood Development & Centre for Play has and learner-friendly, facilitating capacity building served as the resource centre and focal point of a initiatives for whole school improvement, and national network of ECD providers and develop innovative school models that help to stakeholders, operating in partnership with its foster a holistic learning experience. stakeholders at home and abroad. It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and advocating on The Design Lab's robust expertise and resources child development, learning through play, early- gives it a strategic advantage to provide support, year brain development and stimulation, parenting specifically to the public sector that has the through creation of evidence-based models, maximum beneficiary outreach. The core focus is playing a supportive role in partner activities as well to strive for equity and equality for all in education as offering a wide range of capacity development and wellbeing through having a very strong opportunities. partnership with the government to whom the Lab provides technical support related to textbook It has a diverse need in the public, private and refinement and capacity development. donor portfolio given that ECD is yet an emerging area in the field of development and wellbeing. ECD Materials developed so far & Centre for Play provides services on professional · Training modules for Primary and Secondary development, research and project and model school teachers as well as supplementary development, focusing on multi-dimensional areas materials of ECD, including: Socio-Emotional Learning; ECD · Refinement of the following national textbooks: tools development/validation; Infant and early Bengali, English, Social Studies, Religious year's stimulation; Maternal Mental Health; Play & Studies Creativity; School Readiness and Parenting; Play models that simulate learning through play for · Early grade reading training modules for children aged 6 months-5 years; Comprehensive teachers Child Development Packages; Day-care model; · Workbooks, classroom materials, etc. Pre-school model; Programmes on Positive · Primary and secondary learning packages Thinking. Refinement of National Textbooks Centre for Psychosocial Wellbeing In October 2016, BIED's Design Lab successfully BIED's Centre for Psychosocial Wellbeing (CfPW) is completed refining textbooks on Religion & Moral involved in building capacities, conducting Education for Grades 3, 4 and 5, with the final draft researches and providing support to diverse sent for feedback to the National Curriculum and groups on mental health and wellbeing. Starting Textbook Board (NCTB), Bangladesh and the DFID, from adolescents to street children to victims of UK. After multiple feedback sessions from the traumatic events or building capacities of barefoot NCTB, the comments were incorporated into the counselors in schools, communities and private textbook designing process. sectors, the centre addresses wellbeing from a multidimensional viewpoint, adopting customized Impact-driven Researches approaches to each scenario and situation. The Besides evaluative researches, BIED undertakes centre also provides professional development, large-scale researches that are quantitative, 82 | Annual Report 2016 qualitative, experimental and quasi-experimental in private individuals working on early childhood nature. These research work are disseminated to development to further understand major issues of relevant stakeholders nationally and internationally, ECD on a national and global scale. to bring forward evidence-based solutions. Workshop for Private School Teachers Our research areas include: assessment of On 26 November 2016, BIED conducted a teachers' roles in classrooms; interface of child teachers' training workshop for Sir John Wilson labour and education in cities; evaluation of pilot School (SJWS). 21 participants took part in the school models; assessing reading and learning workshop, including the Principal and Vice proficiencies of primary and secondary school Principal of SJWS as well as heads of the junior, students; community awareness on education and middle and senior sections. The one-day workshop gender parity; inclusive education in rural areas; addressed the importance of classroom assessment of urban adolescents in Bangladesh; management, lesson planning and school studies on virtually excluded primary level students curriculum development. The session also in rural communities; effectiveness of play-based provided the participants the opportunity to share learning models; perception study on play and its their thoughts regarding the addressed themes and challenges. The research and empirical work done possible ways to implement them in the existing by the institute is driven by rigorous investigative school curriculum. methodologies to bring forward evidences in the Visit to Tanzania and Uganda areas of education and wellbeing. Assessment of Perceptions Regarding Play & Its Highlights of 2016 Challenges th Master of Science in ECD shines through in 11 From 16-23 October 2016, BIED's Centre for Play Convocation Ceremony of BRACU visited Tanzania & Uganda in order to analyse the On 5 December 2016, BRACU organized its 11th context for designing an upcoming study Convocation ceremony. Among the graduates of undertaken in collaboration with BRAC the ceremony were ten graduates from BRAC International, titled, “Exploring the Perceptions of Institute of Educational Development (BIED)'s Different Stakeholders Regarding Play and its Master of Science (MSc)/Post-Graduate Challenges in the Context of Bangladesh, Tanzania & Uganda.” The research team was involved in observing several plays labs as well as holding interview sessions with the parents, project staff, play leaders and management committee members of the play labs on steps to address play- based learning for children of early-years and the challenges faced in regards to community perception and changing mind-sets. Material Development Workshop From 19-20 October 2016 and from 20-21 October 2016, BIED's Centre for Play was involved in Diploma (PGD) in Early Childhood Development organizing a Material Development Workshop in (ECD) programme. Kampala, Uganda and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were involved in designed age- Ms. Rafiath Rashid, Program Manager, Education, appropriate play materials for the Play Labs BRAC International and a graduate of the MSc in implemented in the two countries. The participants ECD programme, achieved the prestigious comprised of Play Leaders from the different Play Chancellor's Gold Medal, bringing great honour to Labs, Project Assistants, Coordinators, Branch the Institute. Fellow graduates Mr. Jasedul Hossain Managers, Trainers and other personnel involved in and Ms. Nazia Sharmin, have also shone through early childhood development for the two countries. the ceremony, each receiving the Vice Chancellor's award. Celebrating Universal Children's Day, 2016 On 20 November 2016, on the occasion of BIED's MSc/PGD in ECD programme is the first of Universal Children's Day, BIED went live on its kind in Bangladesh, intended to create more advocates of ECD. With a diverse combination of Facebook with its newly launched series, titled, classroom studies and field research, this one-year 'The Myth-Buster Factory'. The main goal of this programme provides professionals as well as series was to break 3 myths regarding play: Toys Annual Report 2016 | 83 are expensive; Play is a waste of time; and Adults Utrecht, The Netherlands, in July 2016, with the can't be playful. feedback incorporated in the curriculum. A 12-day The live-show highlighted how toys can be made session on wellbeing for 30 participants has already by using easily-accessible materials that are found been conducted over 3 months titled, 'Workplace at home and demonstrated how such toy-making Wellbeing Management (WWM)'. activities help improve a child's motor skills, IIEGRA Project cognitive skills and hand-to-eye coordination. As part of the ongoing IIEGRA (Innovation for Additionally, by engaging in these interactive Improving Early Grade Reading Activity) project, activities, the show demonstrates that parents can the Institute has organized the Training of Trainers be playful as well and take a more active interest in (ToT), a five-day training session for the trainers their children's early years' development, thus who train teachers as a part of the IIEGRA Project. forging a stronger bond between parent and child. The IIEGRA project aims to conduct a series of Capacity Building to Promote day Care Services Basic Training Programmes for a total of 49 and Increase Women's Employability in the batches. So far, a total of 1225 teachers from 245 RMG Sector schools have confirmed their participation in the In 2016, BIED, in collaboration with Phulki, together training sessions. with Research Unit MDF Training & Consultancy BV, University of Completed Research in 2016 Put in Alphabetical Amsterdam (UvA) and Nyenrode Business Order University (NBU), based in the Netherlands, Shimu, Sheikh. Shahana, Kalam, Md. Abul and commenced the initiative to promote day care Hossain, Altaf. (2016) Schooling, SRHR, Gender services as well as increase women's employability and Counseling of Post-primary Education in the RMG sector. The project proposes to create (SSCOPE): An Evaluation, Dhaka, Bangladesh: new positions for women in childcare through skill BIED, BRACU. development, as well as increase the availability of quality childcare services for women in the Shimu, Sheikh. Shahana, Kalam, Md. Abul and workplace. Hossain, Altaf. (2016) Results of Baseline Survey of the Innovation for Improving Early Grade Reading Group Counselling Therapy Session for Rana Activity (IIEGRA) project, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Plaza Survivors BIED, BRACU. BIED's Centre for Psychosocial Well-Being has been providing ongoing counselling sessions for Akter, Shaheen (2016) Promoting early learning and victims of the Rana Plaza Tragedy. The sessions development through play: exploring the practice s include individual screening and also group at the play centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh: BIED, BRACU. sessions where topics such as “Anger & Self-care” is discussed. These ongoing sessions seek to Akter, Shaheen (2016) A portrait of BRAC Play provide services and counselling on psychosocial center,Dhaka, Bangladesh: BIED, BRACU. wellbeing for 450 participants, focusing on different Collaborative study with Overseas Development psychological components such as anger and Institute (ODI). stress management, socio-emotional wellbeing, self-care, etc. Quattri, Maria et al. (2016) Child labour and education: a survey of slum settlements in Dhaka, Curriculum Development on Workplace London, UK: ODI. Wellbeing Management Mim.,Shamnaz Arifin. (2016) 'Nature of BIED's Centre for Psychosocial Wellbeing (CfPW), “Schooling”: Construction of Gendered Identities in has developed a 100-hour customised course a Secondary School',Bangladesh Education curriculum on psychosocial support, SRHR (Sexual Journal, 15(1),29-39. Reproductive Health & Rights) & the basic rules of ready-made garments (RMG) regulation. The Babu.,Rasel&Mim., ShamnazArifin. (2016)' developed curriculum module was then presented ShishukendrikShikkhaloy', Shakkhorota Bulletin, in a consultation workshop with Rutgers in, 268, 12-14. 84 | Annual Report 2016 BRAC Institute of Governance and Development

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development was another feather in BIGD's cap in 2016. (BIGD), BRACU is a centre of policy research and BIGD had many other solid accomplishments in academic excellence. 2016 which include manifestly greater team work, The premise on which BIGD, BRACU builds its excellence in a large segment of our research, work is that it aims to deliver quality research, successfully meeting and exceeding IDRC's (one of academic and training programmes through the major funder of BIGD) programme targets rigorous, quality controlled process by a pool of which enabled continuation of funding to BIGD dedicated, skilled researchers and to build a under TTI, winning long term contracts such as system of effective policy engagement informed by the research outcomes, aptly supported by an efficient support mechanism. The four tenets of BIGD's work are: 1. achieve excellence in research 2. provide innovative masters and other courses 3. achieve independent and effective policy engagement and 4. provide active, high operational efficiency to support research, academic, advocacy and policy engagement. 2016 was a good year for BIGD as it has made a solid impression on our most important stakeholders: academics, policy researchers and the government officials. This is no meager achievement especially in such a highly competitive environment, and one in which appreciation does not quite 'flow liberally.' The year ended on a new high with the launching of its two annual flagship reports, creating a buzz in the media and policy level. In 2016, training programme of BIGD received a huge boost with BIGD's inclusion in GoB's SEIP project which, depending on performance, BIGD can continue to be part of this project through 2026-27, and the project could potentially open tremendous opportunities for BIGD. Obtaining the training project from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Annual Report 2016 | 85

GAGE, ACE, Cities Alliance and SEIP (training). As a Masters in Development Management and result of the IDRC programme targets, BIGD Practice (MDMP) prepared its medium term institutional strategy, HR MDMP, a professional master degree in Plan and a Resource Mobilisation Plan. development management and practice was BIGD aims to devote 2017 to achieving excellence developed by BIGD in 2009 and launched in in all areas of our work, increasing the volume of January 2011. MDMP was conceptualised by quality publications and create a buzz in policy Professor Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, renowned development economist and Director of the Earth level. Institute at Columbia University, USA. It belongs to As the enclosed list shall attest, BIGD researchers a Global Network of Masters in Development remained productive in their areas throughout Practice Program comprising of 22 universities 2016. BIGD continued to encourage publication in around the world. In 2016, 5 students have received a variety of genres: newspaper articles/Op-Eds, their MDMP degree. research reports, working papers and academic Masters in Procurement and Supply journals. It has tried to remain true to its original Management (MPSM) in collaboration with mandate of combining academic and research CIPS, UK excellence with policy engagement through BIGD has developed a top-up Master programme specialized post-graduate courses, cutting-edge on Procurement and Supply Management in research initiatives and policy recommendations. collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Academics Procurement and Supply (CIPS), which is a UK- based international organization, serving the BIGD currently offers post-graduate education to procurement and supply profession. In total 77 government officials, executives from different students is currently attending the MPSM industries, NGOs, the media, and the civil society. programme. 20 participants have completed In 2016, BIGD produced 91 post-graduate MPSM in 2016. students through its Masters programmes and 23 CIPS-UK Qualification in Procurement and graduates with diploma, advance diploma, Supply: CIPS has partnered with BIGD to deliver professional diploma, certificate courses and the CIPS qualification programme at Level- 4 trainings. (Diploma in Procurement and Supply), Level-5 Master of Arts in Governance and (Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply) Development (MAGD): and Level 6 (Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply) in Bangladesh. BIGD conducts the internationally acclaimed MAGD programme designed mainly for the In 2016, 68 participants from public and private government officials. The programme aims at sectors enrolled and 15 participants have equipping government officials with 'frontier' completed the MCIPS degree, and currently 25 and knowledge, skills, and scientific decision making 14 participants from public and private sectors processes to deal with the complex issues of respectively are attending different levels of CIPS. governance and development, which they have to Environmental Management and Governance deal with in their routine work. (EMG) In 2016, 19 students from MAGD programme BIGD offers Certificate Programme on EMG with attended the 11th convocation of BRACU held on 5 the purpose of sensitizing and enhancing the December 2016. capacity of participants on key environmental Master of Development Studies (MDS): BIGD governance issues related to natural resources and offers MDS, an innovative, cross-disciplinary post environment management. In 2016, 8 students graduate master degree that provides an in-depth have received the certificates on EMG. understanding of development concepts and Research issues in the context of globalisation, economic As a leading centre of research and academic transformation and social, cultural and political excellence, BIGD is devoted to specialised changes. research on a range of governance and The MDS programme currently has 149 students, development concerns, as well as the nexus and 47 students received their MDS degrees in between the two intertwined areas. BIGD's 2016. 86 | Annual Report 2016 research is aimed at supporting its academic and Empowering Women in South Asia, Mixed Method training programs. BIGD has been publishing the Lead, Choice, Constraints and Gender Dynamics State of Governance in Bangladesh and the State of Labor Market in Bangladesh with London of Cities reports since 2006 and 2012 respectively. School of Economics (LSE), Gender Norms, Labor It also publishes working papers, policy briefs, Supply and Poverty Reduction in Comparative policy notes, research reports and books on Contexts: Evidence from Rural India and governance, development and public policy. Bangladesh with Manchester University, Evidence- Based Foundation of Women's Economic BIGD's research mandate is spread over four broad Empowerment: Market Analysis with UNDP, clusters, 1. Governance and Politics, 2. Urban, Enhancing Gender Equality Results in South Asia Climate Change and Environment, 3. Gender Developing member Countries with ADB, Changes Studies, and 4. Economic Growth. in the governance of Garment Global production Governance and Politics (GP) networks: lead firm, supplier and institutional Governance and Politics (GP) cluster is shouldered responses to the Rana Plaza Disaster etc. Besides to craft one of the most important publications of these research projects Gender Cluster also BIGD that is the State of Governance in produced several reports, working papers, a policy Bangladesh (SoG) report. The flagship report that brief and a book chapter throughout the year 2016. essentially inspects a wide range of issues of the Economic Growth (EG) country from the perspective of governance has The Economic Growth (EG) cluster of BIGD works been an uninterrupted effort of BIGD since 2006 broadly on research projects on growth, poverty, making it the ninth publication of the series in 2016. development and economic governance issues The report serves the institute's major purpose of relevant to Bangladesh and the region. The cluster informing public policy and of contributing to the primarily aims to conduct academic as well as public discourse on contemporary concerns policy relevant research using rigorous empirical through rigorous investigation. approach and explores economic policy studies Urban, Climate Change and Environment having important implications for the governance (UCCE) Cluster of the country. The research of UCCE cluster focuses on urban Some of the key highlights of research undertaken economics, governance, and development as well by this cluster are the research on 'Cost-benefit as climate change and environment related issues analysis on Land Digitization' and 'Cost-benefit in Bangladesh. The cluster carries out BIGD's analysis of implementing village courts in annual flagship research 'State of Cities (SOC)', Bangladesh' for the Copenhagen Consensus which aims to provide a diagnostic report of the Center in the academic year 2016. Other than that, country's urban governance. Since 2012, five other influential research project conducted also reports have been published based on urban includes the Urban Poverty Project by Power and governance issues of three metropolitan cities: Participation Research Center (PPRC) tilted Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong. In 2016, it 'Coping with uncertainties: trust dynamics, fluid focused on the Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City. networks and the poverty traps of the urban poor'. More than one hundred print and electronic media The cluster also undertook working papers on covered the event and arranged talk show for social accountability and procurement, inequality attention to the policy makers. The researchers of and growth, medical expenditure and welfare loss UCCE cluster published 10 Op-Eds in national and role of electoral competition in explaining dailies. political violence in Bangladesh. Gender Studies (GS) In addition to conducting various research papers, The Gender Studies cluster currently focuses on the cluster also contributes in the institute's research projects like Gender and Adolescent: flagship publication series: 'State of Governance' Global Evidence, Qualitative Research along with and 'State of Cities' in collaboration with other School of Public Health, Policy and legal Analysis, clusters. Political Settlement and Health in Bangladesh with EG cluster is currently collaborating with many ESID, Qualitative Baseline Study for the Better national and international organizations including works Bangladesh, Contributed working Paper in BRAC; Planning Commission of Bangladesh; South Asia Human Development report: RAND Corporation USA; University of Sussex, UK; Annual Report 2016 | 87

University College London, UK; Wage Indicators Existing Projects Foundation, Netherlands; Indian Statistical Community of Practice in Performance Institute (ISI), India. Management in South Asia New Programmes BIGD, in cooperation with the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh, is implementing a Skills for Employment Investment Programme project titled “Community of Practice (CoP) on (SEIP) Performance Management in South Asia” to help Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance has strengthen the performance management system undertaken the Skills for Employment Investment of the Governments (GPMS) of South Asia Regional Programme (SEIP) with the objective of developing (SAR) countries. To facilitate the implementation of skilled workforce for productive and priority GPMS, necessary support was extended to the sectors, and for supporting government and Cabinet Division. The project aims to promote peer private institutions, non-government organizations and industry associations to acquire skilled learning and evaluation amongst practitioners of manpower in the priority sectors. For this purpose, performance management in South Asian Regional SEIP Project is working with leading universities of (SAR) countries, as a common practice to further the country to establish 'Executive Development enhance the quality of policy dialogue, and Centers' (EDC) to implement a nine month training subsequent delivery of public services. program for mid and higher level managers. The Public Procurement Reform Project (Extension Executive Development Program shall work to Phase) develop mid and higher level managers in four BIGD has an agreement with Bangladesh sectors/subsectors namely Garment, Textile, Government (Central Procurement Technical Unit - Knitwear, and Leather & Footwear. BIGD, BRACU is CPTU) to help design and implement the social engaged in this program, working with the knitwear accountability mechanism that aims to sector. institutionalize and develop a third party monitoring Equitable Economic Growth in Cities: Cities system in the public procurement process in the Alliance country. Based on the lessons learned from the BIGD has an agreement with Cities Alliance to phase II of the project, and in consultation with implement a project entitle “Promoting Equitable CPTU and the World Bank, BIGD has reformulated Economic Growth in Cities”. The project aims to the existing Public-Private Stakeholders support the promotion of equitable access to Committee (PPSC). BIGD supports to ensure public goods and services through focus areas effective functioning of the committee so that it can adapted to the city's specific needs and context. provide policy inputs to strengthen the public BIGD and Cities Alliance selected Narayanganj City procurement systems of the country. Corporation (NCC) and City Corporation (SCC) as campaign cities based on some criteria Local Governance Programme SHARIQUE-III (e.g. population, density, economic growth, Sharique-III is a SDC funded consortium project on existing foreign projects and so on). Each campaign local governance and development. The city shall produce outputs including an Institutional consortium is comprised of HELVETAS Swiss Enabling Environment Report (IEER), a Local Intercooperation and BIGD. A consortium partner Assessment Report (LAR), and city-level, evidence BIGD has project management responsibility. In based policy briefs and recommendations. addition, BIGD has technical responsibility to conduct action and policy research on local Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence governance in Bangladesh and to prepare policy (GAGE) briefs to influence policy. The programme aims to The project is supported by the Department for contribute to the empowerment of local citizens to International Development (DFID) in partnership make and implement inclusive, gender sensitive, with Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK. It is and pro-poor collective choices about their lives a nine-year mixed methods longitudinal research and livelihoods through more democratic, and evaluation programme that will generate and transparent, inclusive, and effective local share evidence on good-practice programmes and government systems. policies to help adolescent girls in the Global South reach their full potential. 88 | Annual Report 2016

Other Projects In 2016, BIGD has co organized number of In 2016, BIGD worked with the major fund of Think seminars, workshops and conference with IGC. Tank Initiative Ph-2, along with Sharique-III, Highlights Maximising the Quality of Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Programmes Framework (MMQSUN), The Launching of State of Governance in Relation of the choice constraints the gender Bangladesh 2016 Report dynamics of labor markets in Bangladesh, Gender The State of Governance in Bangladesh (SoG) 2016 norms labor supply poverty reduction in titled Regulation Process Performance was cooperative context in Bangladesh, Formal launched in December 2016 at the BRAC Centre Informal Labour Nexus and Growth, Privatization Inn, Dhaka. and Productivity Growth, States Delivering for Poor People Improving Outcomes Through Stronger The report analysed democratic process, specially Evidence, Study on Qualitative Baseline on the electoral politics, public sector governance, Better Work in Bangladesh, Enhancing Gender economic governance, and health governance, Equality Result in South Asia Developing Member specifically governance of Upazila Health Countries, Political Economy Analysis on the complexes. The report focused mostly on the local Barriers to Investment Growth in Bangladesh, government elections in Bangladesh and looked Evidence Based Foundation of Woman's into the role of competition in election, voter Economic Empowerment, Changes in the turnout, voter list, electoral expenditure and Governance of Garment Global Production electoral violence. The report also shows the Networks: Lead Firm, Supplier and Institutional election time violence, increasing of gender gap in Responses to the Rana Plaza Disaster, Gender and voter list and the deteriorations of electoral Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) etc. competition in the recent years. The Centre for Gender and Social Launching of the State of Cities (SoC) Report Transformation (CGST) BIGD launched one of its annual flagship BIGD houses a specialized centreThe Centre for researches SoC 2016 report titled Traffic Gender and Social Transformation (CGST), Congestion in Dhaka City - Governance established in 2012, that undertakes research and Perspectives in December 2016. advocacy work on women's empowerment and The report examines transport demand and supply how positive changes in everyday lives and larger in Dhaka city and how it affects traffic congestion. social transformation in gender roles take place. This study found that institutional and management Many of the research projects and advocacy factors underlay most of the traffic congestion programmes of the Gender Studies cluster are problems, including poor planning of the road undertaken by this Center. network, minimal restraint of private car use, poor Policy Engagement and Research organisation of Dhaka's bus system and poor co- Communication ordination of the government agencies involved in transport. BIGD Communications department, in association with the research clusters, regularly organizes BIGD Research Ranked in Top 20 of national and regional roundtables, talks, seminars, Bangladesh Investment Priorities List workshops, meetings and conferences in order to Three research studies of BIGD were selected in a disseminate its research outputs and publications prioritized and recommended list of priorities for among the relevant stakeholders and target groups investment by the Government of Bangladesh within the network for policy influence and (GoB) that would produce significant benefits for engagement. the country. An eminent panel including a Nobel BIGD Hosts IGC in Bangladesh laureate economist and Bangladeshi economic experts announced the list in the final session of The Institute also hosts the International Growth Smarter Solutions for Bangladesh conference on Centre (IGC) of London School of Economics and 12 May 2016 organized under a project Bangladesh University of Oxford. This affiliation provides an Priorities: Smarter Solutions for Bangladesh, led by opportunity for the institute to collaborate on Copenhagen Consensus Centre in cooperation research projects and open itself to a wider with BRAC's Research and Evaluation Division. research community regionally and internationally. Annual Report 2016 | 89

Three BIGD Research studies, E-Procurement Engagement in Public Procurement; National across government (Topic-Digital Bangladesh), Seminar on Local Governance Programme Land records digitization (Topic-Land Sharique; Seminar on Social Entrepreneurship; and administration) and Expand Village Courts (Topic- Seminar on Gender Norms. Governance and institutions) ranked 2nd, 4th and BIGD also organized a Talk by Dr Sabina Alkire on 19th respectively at the Bangladesh priorities list. Measuring Multidimensional Poverty in 2016. BIGD signs MoU with Access to Information BIGD organized 24 trainings and workshops, and (a2i) Programme 11 high level meetings in 2016 on different issues. BIGD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Access to Information (a2i) Programme As BIGD moves forward, it intends to consolidate of Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on 21 June 2016 at and further build on its work and continue to deliver Prime Ministers Office, Dhaka. Dr. Sultan Hafeez quality output. A lean but efficient institute shall be Rahman, Executive Director, BIGD, and Mr. Kabir the vehicle for BIGD to achieve its goals. Bin Anwar, Director General (Admin), PMO and Publications Project Director, a2i programme signed the Book agreement. Rahman, Sultan Hafeez et al. (2016), State of Under the MoU, BIGD is conducting impact assessments and evaluations and Cost Benefit Governance in Bangladesh 2016: Regulations, Analysis of a2i's various programs and inititiaves. Process, Performance, Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU BIGD shall also conduct research on ideas to Rahman, Sultan Hafeez et al. (2016), State of Cities provide service through a2i programme. BIGD and 2016: Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City- a2i also jointly organized internal workshops Governance Perspective, Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU quarterly to discuss areas of interest, innovations and new directions. Ahmed, Tofail (2016), Bangladesh Reform Agenda for Local Governance, Dhaka: Prothoma BIGD & FES Enters into a Collaboration Prokashan. The contract signing ceremony between BIGD and Razzaque, F. (2016). Citizen's Charter in Friendrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) was held on 8 Bangladesh, Rhetoric or Reality? A Study of December 2016. BIGD agreed to partner with FES Immigration and Passports Department. Dhaka: (a German foundation) and develop the curriculum Osder Publications. for the Academy of Work (AoW) on the Modules - Field of Management & Organisation and Book Chapter Economics and the course - Gender, Trade Unions Razzaque, F. (2016). Citizen's Charter and Public and Decent Work. The certificate/diploma Service Delivery in Bangladesh. In Ahmed, N. (Ed.) programme shall be co-ordinated by BIGD, FES In Public Policy and Governance in Bangladesh: and Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS). Forty Years of Experiences. New York: Tylor and Seminar/Talk/Workshops/Meetings Francis Books Ltd. BIGD organized 11 seminars in 2016 titled Seminar Maheen Sultan and Ferdous Jahan (2016): Opening on Climate Change; Seminar on Public Private and resistance: women in the Bangladesh Civil Partnership; Seminar on Bangladesh Delta Plan- Service in Nizam Ahmed (Edited). Public Policy and 2100; Seminar on Disposal of Audit Objections; Governance in Bangladesh: Forty years of Seminar on the Political Economy of Social experience. London: Routledge Protection; National Seminar Strengthening Committees of Upazila Parishads and Standing Journal Articles and Working Papers Committees of Union Parishads; Seminar on Abdallah, W. (2016). Electronic public procurement election management; Seminar on Readymade in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Priorities, Copenhagen Garments Industry: Informing Policy with Evidence Consensus Center, 2016. based Research; Seminar on Revenue Mobilisation Aziz, S.S., & Razzaque, F. (2016). Role of electoral in Union Parishads and Women's Representation in competition in explaining political violence in Union Parishads and State of Accountability of the Bangladesh a district level analysis. BIGD Working Transferred Departments at the Upazila Parishad; Paper Series 34, BIGD, BRACU, November 2016 Seminar on Ward Shabha Operational Guideline; Seminar on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Hossain, M.S., & Zaman, N. (2016). Cost-benefit (Goal 16 of the SDGs); Seminar on Citizen study on implementing village courts in Union 90 | Annual Report 2016

Parishads of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Priorities, Rahman, S.H.; Hossain, M. S. and Uddin, M.M. Copenhagen Consensus Center, 2016. .(2016). Public Finance and Revenue Mobilization of Union Parishads: A Case of Four Union Huq, L. (2016). Paradox of change in women's Parishads. BIGD Special Publication Series No.03, capabilities: case of two villages in Bangladesh. July 2016, BIGD, BRACU. BIGD Working Paper Series 31, BIGD, BRACU, August 2016. Sultan, M., Hasan, M.B., Khondaker, S.I., Enam, A.A., Mahmood, T.I., & Nazneen, S. (2016). Mahmud, S. & Sultan, M. (2016). Community Health Women's Representation in the Union Parishad- Workers as Agents of Change: Negotiating Local Governance Programme Sharique-III. BIGD pathways of empowerment. BIGD Working Paper Special Publication Series No.04, July 2016, BIGD, Series 32, BIGD, BRACU, September 2016 BRACU. Rahman S.H., & Talukder, S.K. (2016). The costs Tofail Ahmed, Md. Harun Or Rashid, Kazi Niaz and benefits of digitization of land records via Ahmmed & Farhana Razzaque. (2016). Social simplified application process, Bangladesh Accountability Mechanisms: A Study on the Union Priorities, Copenhagen Consensus Center, 2016. Parishads in Bangladesh. BIGD Special Publication Zaman, N., & Hossain, M.D. (2016). Medical Series No.02, March 2016, BIGD, BRACU. Expenditure and Household Welfare in Aziz, Syeda Salina and Zillur, Kanetta. (2016). Text Bangladesh. Working Paper Series 33, BIGD, Book Quality and Distribution in Bangladesh. BRACU, October 2016 Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU. Hasan, Mirza M and Prichard, Wilson. (2016). The Hussain, Md Shanawez; Markony, Gazi Arafat Uz political economy of domestic tax reform in Zaman; Ahmed, Raihan. 2016. Citizen Engagement Bangladesh: Political settlements, informal in Public Procurement: Experience from pilot institutions and the negotiation of reform in the districts. Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU. Journal of Development Studies vol 52, issue 12: London. Rutledge. Policy Note Hassan, M., Rahman, M.A., Hoque, M. U., (2016). Rahman, S.H. and Pabon, Nahid Ferdous. (2016). E-Government Procurement: Towards an Efficient Determinants of Households' Willingness to Pay for and Transparent Procurement Management at the Better Municipal Services in Bangladesh, Working Local level. Policy Note, August 2016, Dhaka: Paper. Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU. BIGD, BRACU. Nabila Zaman and Shahadath Hossain. (2016). Hassan, M., Aziz, S.S., Shah, N., (2016). Social Impact of Household Catastrophic Health Care Accountability In Public Procurement: How Citizen Expenditure on Household Welfare: Evidence from Engagement Can Make A Difference. Policy Note, Bangladesh, Working Paper. Dhaka: BIGD, October 2016, Dhaka: BIGD, BRACU. BRACU. Research Brief Abdallah, Wahid and, Hendrick. (2016). The Economics of system Loss, Working Paper. Dhaka: Hassan, M., Razzaque, F., Hasan, M.B., & Rahman, BIGD, BRACU. M.A. (2016). State of Accountability of the Transferred Departments at the Upazila Parishad Special Publication Series and its consequences for Allocations and Hassan, M.M., & Mannan, S. (2016). Upazila and Utilisations of Resources: A Study of Three Union Parishad Governance: A Study on Departments. BIGD Research Brief, July 2016, Institutional Relationships and Linkages. BIGD BIGD, BRACU. Special Publication Series No. 01, July 2016, BIGD, BRACU. Sultan, M., Hasan, M.B., Khondaker, S.I., Enam, A.A., Mahmood, T.I., & Nazneen, S. (2016). Hassan, M., Razzaque, F., Hasan, M.B., & Rahman, Women's Representation in the Union Parishad. M.A. (2016). State of Accountability of the BIGD Research Brief, July 2016, BIGD, BRACU. Transferred Departments at the Upazila Parishad and its consequences for Allocations and Rahman, S.H.; Hossain, M. S. and Uddin, M.M. Utilisations of Resources: A Study of Three (2016). Public Finance and Revenue Mobilization of Departments Local Governance Programme Union Parishads. BIGD Research Brief, July 2016, Sharique-III. BIGD Special Publication Series No. BIGD, BRACU. 05, July 2016, BIGD, BRACU. Annual Report 2016 | 91 BRAC Institute of Languages

From its humble beginnings as the English programme. In 2016, 14 TESOL students Language Programme (EL-Pro) in 2006, BIL has successfully defended their thesis to earn their MA been reinvented twice to finally become the in TESOL degree. The students presented their Institute it is today. A product of the aspirations, defence to a panel of experts and scholars in the vision, dedication and innovation of its pioneer and field of TESOL. Director, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed and her team, New Venture: Kumon the Institute has attained substantial achievements Kumon is a comprehensive learning programme for teaching English language courses to the Math and English which has been founded in 1958 undergraduate students, academic English to by a high school math teacher in Japan named Toru graduate students, TESOL (Teaching English to Kumon. The programme targets students going Speakers of Other Languages) to professionals and from preschool all the way up to college level. It is foreign languages to learners from various an individualized programme suitable for children backgrounds. of diverse needs and abilities. Today, Kumon has BIL aims to assist students to develop the language established centres in 49 countries assisting a skills they need to be successful in graduate school student base of more than 4.2 million globally and in their professional lives. The institute focuses aiming to unlock the potential in every child. Kumon on implementing student-centred, creative has been working with BRAC for the last two years language teaching techniques by developing to implement its programme for the underprivileged modules based on students' proficiency levels. students through BRAC Schools. BRAC Institute of This not only eliminates the possibility of mixed Languages (BIL) is currently working with Kumon to ability classes, but also ensures small classes with establish the first Kumon centres in Dhaka to offer excellent interaction between teachers and its programmes for students from all tiers of the learners. Additionally, BIL is committed to the field society. Mr. Nehal Bin Hasan, of BIL is working as of academic language teaching and research, with the Project In-charge for the aforementioned clear focus on creative and forward-thinking project. teaching methodology for diverse learner groups. BIL launches German language course MA in TESOL BIL launched the German language course which is Since its inception in January 2013, 13 batches of a noteworthy addition in the list of language students have enrolled in the MA in TESOL courses that BIL offers. The course launching 92 | Annual Report 2016 seminar for dissemination of information regarding Training of BRAC Shishu Niketon Primary this initiative was held in the BRACU auditorium on School Teachers 24 November 2016. In her welcome speech at the BIL has conducted a 12-day training of BRAC seminar, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, Director, BIL, Shishu Niketon Primary School Teachers at Uttara emphasized on the importance of learning German BRAC Learning Centrer (BLC) in Dhaka from 22 language in order to pursue higher education and October to 03 November 2016. The purpose of the explore career opportunities in Germany. The training was to develop the capacity of BRAC country offers numerous Master's programmes Shishu Niketon Primary School teachers in having English as the medium of instruction and teaching English Language. BIL faculty members BIL promised to help students in taking IELTS Md. Mahbubul Islam, Md. Abu Sufian and preparation who would enroll in the German Mohammad Aminul Islam have conducted the language course. The speakers also informed how training sessions. The participants of the training the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in included 25 female teachers from Dhaka, Dhaka would assist students in admission process. Manikganj and .

Cultural Programme and Awarding of MA in TESOL Student Won National Chess Certificates to Underprivileged Students Tournament for the Visually Impaired Yet another brainchild of Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, On 18 October 2016, Mr. Ejaz Husain, a student of this programme, aiming to go one step further to do MA in TESOL at BRACU, won the championship something noble for society attained fruition on 17 held for those who are visually impaired. The event December 2016, with underprivileged students was organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation. confidently taking to the stage to speak their mind, Mr. Ejaz won in all of the 7 rounds and achieved full all in English. This programme at the BRACU 7 points in becoming the champion. auditorium saw some 60 school going students from around Dhaka aged 10-17 years perform BIL Lecturer Visited Russia under Government dramas, tell short stories, give speeches and sing Programme songs in English, a reflection of the hard work and Md. Shams Ud Duha, Lecturer, BIL, was invited by dedication of the BUCLC members and BIL faculty. the Embassy of the Russian Federation in The programme ended with the awarding of Bangladesh to attend a conference titled “Science certificates to the free English speaking course of the Future” arranged by Russian Government's participants. New Generation Programme. Representatives from 18 countries took part in the programme. The Career Council Seminar for Pre-University conference was held in Kazan, Russia, from 19-23 students September 2016. The conference was organized BIL arranged a Career Council Seminar for the Pre- and funded by the Ministry of Education and University students of Fall 2016 on 03 November Science of the Russian Federation and 2016, in the BRACU Auditorium. The event was Rosstrudnichestvo (Russian Federal Government facilitated by Ms Samiha Nusrat and Ms Anika Agency) respectively. Tasnim, who are serving in the Office of the Career Services and Alumni Relations (OCSAR). All the Press Conference on BIL Lecturer's Russia Visit Pre-University teachers and students attended the On 05 October 2016, Embassy of the Russian seminar. Federation in Bangladesh organized a press The programme began with a brief discussion by conference to inform journalists of Md. Shams Ud the OCSAR officials regarding the services Duha's recent Russia visit. Mr. Shams, who is a provided by OCSAR to the students as well as the Lecturer at BIL, visited Russia in September under activities of different clubs at BRACU and how the Russian Government's 'New Generation' students can be benefitted from club involvement. programme. Mr. Shams shared his experience of The speakers further discussed current trends and the trip with the journalists at the press conference, subject-specific opportunities in the job market where Mr. Bazlul Hasan, Head of Education, after graduation, and also made the students aware Russian Center of Science and Culture in of the changing career trends. Bangladesh, was also present. Annual Report 2016 | 93

Free English Speaking Class for employees of BRAC and BRACU, whose monthly Underprivileged Students salary is not more than Tk 20,000. As a part of BRACU Communication and Language Club Teaching Practicum 01 course (TSL 507) of MA in (BUCLC), in association with BIL, has taken the TESOL Programme, students need to practice initiative to offer free English Spoken Course to classroom teaching at diverse levels to make them underprivileged children. This course is designed competent as language teachers and practitioners. for beginner level language learners by particularly BIL Lecturer gave lecture on Educative Value keeping the Bangladeshi children's language of Chess at Mohammedan Sporting Club context in mind. The inspiration behind such a Md. Shams Ud Duha, Lecturer, BIL, gave an charitable decision to serve the community came interactive lecture on 'The Educative Value of from Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, Director, BIL. The Chess' at the first ever chess festival organised by orientation programme was held on 24 September Grandmaster Enamul Hossain and Grandmaster 2016, which was attended by students along with Abdullah Al Rakib at Mohammedan Sporting Club their guardians. Classes have already begun from on 29 July 2016. He emphasised on the potential of 30 September and will end by 17 December 2016. chess to develop students' cognitive abilities and BIL Lecturer shared his Fulbright experience analytical skills. at EMK Centre Certificate Awarding Ceremony of Corporate On 31 July 2016, Md. Shams Ud Duha, Lecturer, Professional Development Training BIL, shared his Fulbright experience at EMK st (Edward Moore Kennedy) Center for Public Service The certificate awarding ceremony of the 1 batch and the Arts, Dhaka. The programme was hosted of Corporate Professional Development Training by the American Center. He talked about his (CPDT) took place on 03 May 2016. Lady Syeda experience as a Fulbright Foreign Language Sarwat Abed, Director of BIL, Mr. Sahool Afzal, Teaching Assistant (FLTA) in the US and how this Registrar of BRACU, Ms. Shadia Alam, Senior experience helped him enhance his professional Manager of HR Department, Ms. Adrita Mulk and skills. Mr. Duha completed his FLTA Programme at Ms. Farah Shawkat, Lecturers at BIL, were present Indiana University, USA, which began in August in the occasion to distribute the certificates among 2015 and ended in May 2016. the participants. BIL began an initiative to conduct training Creating Space for Language Practice for programmes for BRACU employees to assist them Young Learners by MA in TESOL Programme in improving communication skills in English. In the BIL, as a part of its commitment to the betterment first batch, twenty-six employees of BRACU of society and ensuring social justice, has participated in this three-month long training successfully completed a FREE English Language program conducted jointly by Ms. Adrita Mulk and Course entirely run by MA in TESOL students. The Ms. Farah Shawkat. participants of the course were children of

CENTRES

Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) Centre Professional Development Centre (PDC) Writing Centre 96 | Annual Report 2016 Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research

The Centre for Climate Change and Environmental pertinent to climate change adaptation and Research (C3ER) was founded by the Board of mitigation. Specific attention is given to conduct Trustees of BRACU to establish the synergy research on adverse impacts of climate change on between the world's largest Non-Government health, food security, poverty and livelihood, Organization (NGO), BRAC, and the top academic displacement and migration; loss and damage institute, BRACU. The Centre has a assessment; renewable energy; negotiation multidisciplinary pool of professionals from the process; technology transfer; education and disciplines of environmental science, geography, raising awareness. Apart from that, the Centre also disaster management, water resources works with different departments of BRAC, engineering, and urban and regional planning, as especially with Research and Evaluation Division well as economics and business. With a holistic and (RED); Disaster Management and Climate Change integrated approach, C3ER explores the issues and (DMCC); and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene possibilities interrelated with climate change and (WASH), in the field of climate change and the environment. This multidisciplinary team is environmental issues. In addition to this, C3ER guided by Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus and arranges a number of training and public lectures Advisor of C3ER, BRACU. Mr. Nandan is on climate change and disaster management in the Director, and Ms. Roufa Khanum is the association with other departments of BRACU. Coordinator of this Centre. Working Domains of C3ER Since its inception, C3ER has been conducting a Physical Science: C3ER focuses on data collection series of cross-sectoral research projects on and analysis, with an emphasis on modelling to climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, predict future changes which includes modelling climate change education, environmental impact sea-level rise and storm surge, biophysical assessment, ecology and sustainable modelling, meteorological data analysis, development in direct collaboration with different hydrological modelling, and vulnerability and departments of the University. The Centre has a exposure modelling. vision of developing partnerships with other national and international organizations. Adaptation: C3ER works to help communities Resources and expertise offered by the understand and deal with environmental hazards, departments, schools, and institutes of the along with possible future changes, using university have been mobilized in the fields adaptation planning in the health, safety, and Annual Report 2016 | 97 livelihood sectors, and thereby contributing to Knowledge Network (CDKN) and Nature increase community resilience. Conservation Management (NACOM) organized a workshop titled “Unpacking Mitigation: C3ER works to ensure that Bangladesh Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and follows a low carbon growth path and lower gas Damage at National Context in Bangladesh.” emissions and increases carbon sequestration. · Director of C3ER attended a meeting in Imperial Disaster Risk Reduction: C3ER works for improving College London arranged by Department of disaster forecasting and early warning systems Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of with local communities in mind. C3ER also works to Public Health regarding a planning meeting on identify the gaps in current practices and uses of "Pathways to Healthy cities.” modelling to predict future disaster patterns. · Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus and Biodiversity and Ecological Sustainability: C3ER advisor of C3ER BRACU has conferred the recognizes the importance of the local ecology and Acharya Dinesh Chandra Sen Gold Medal. works to ensure sustainability through ecological protection and restoration. · C3ER and BRAC jointly organized the Validation Policy: C3ER reviews sectoral policies of the Workshop on the Social cost of migration on government of Bangladesh and provides children left behind due to labor migration. necessary suggestions to mainstream climate · C3ER, BRACU arranged three certificate change and environmental issues in the policies. courses on “Introduction to Climate Change” for Also, C3ER looks at the projections of future the professionals in 2016 and they were changes due to climate change and whether the attended by several participants, mainly current policies deal with future needs. Government officials and practitioners from Governance: Through policy support and different sectors of NGOs, BRACU, and other institutional strengthening, C3ER works to increase institutions. governmental capacity with regards to climate · C3ER, BRACU arranged three Knowledge change and environmental protection. Development Training on “Climate Change” for students from different public and private universities in 2016. Physical Science · C3ER was awarded a new project in October which is funded by United Nations Development Mitigation Adaptation Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh. · Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus and advisor of C3ER, BRACU participated in the Biodiversity C3ER Disaster and Ecological Risk Conference of Parties (COP-22) of United Protection Reduction Nations Climate Change Conference in Morocco as a member of the delegation team of Bangladesh from 7-18 November 2016. Policy Governance · A MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between C3ER and Oxfam on 07 November 2016 for the project titled “Achieving Highlights of 2016 Resilience through Inclusive Community Based · Lecturer of C3ER presented her paper titled Organizations.” "Climatic Shocks on Local Market System; · Ms. Nureen Faiza Anisha, Research Associate, Experience of Northern Char Areas of has been conferred the "REX Karmaveer Global Bangladesh," under the theme "Climate Fellowship (RGKF)". Change and Livelihood" in the 2nd Annual Gobeshona Conference 2016. Completed Research Projects · Social Cost of Migration on Children Left Behind · C3ER, BRACU in collaboration with Department due to Labour Migration of Disaster Management, ActionAid Bangladesh, Climate and Development 98 | Annual Report 2016

Client: International Organization for Migration Client: WaterAid Bangladesh (IOM) & Save the Children International Duration: Jul 2016 - Sep 2017 Duration: Dec 2015 - Aug 2016 · Climate Finance Transparency Mechanisms · Road Safety in Bangladesh (CFTM) Client: Bangladesh Bank Client: The British Council Duration: Jan - Jul 2016 Duration: Jan 2017 Mar 2018 · Increase and/or Transmission of MALARIA: Role Publications of Climate Change · Anisha, N. F., Khanum, R., Khan, M. R., & Khan, Client: BRACDuration: Feb - May 2016 A. S. (2016). "Comparative Study of Access to · Participatory Factory Mapping Research Safe Drinking Water in Two Coastal Districts of Client: C&A FoundationDuration: Bangladesh, Conference on Water Security and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities Jan - Aug 2016 in Asia, Swindon-South East Asia Sustainable Ongoing Research Projects Water Management in Developing Countries". · Achieving Resilience through inclusive Asian Institute of Technology. Bangkok, Community Based Organizations Thailand. Client: Oxfam · Anisha, N. F., & Yunus, A. (2016). "Assessment of Duration: Oct 2017 Mar 2017 Relationship of Climatic, Hydrologic and surface Water Quality Parameters in Jamuna · Developing a bankable project proposal on River, International Perspective on Water Adaptation Initiative for Climate Vulnerable Resources and Environment". American Offshore Small Island and Charland in Society of Civil Engineers. Colombo, Srilanka. Bangladesh Client: UNDP · Rafie, S. A., Haider, N., Islam, M. N., & Duration: Nov 2016 - Jan 2017 Badruzzaman, A. B. (2016). "Assesing the Energy Values of Sewage Sludge from Pagla · Third National Communication Sewage Treatment Plant". BUET-ANWAR Client: Department of Environment, ISPAT 1st Bangladesh Civil Engineering Government of Bangladesh SUMMIT. Dhaka, bangladesh. Duration: Jun 2015 Dec 2018 · Rahman, M. R.-U., & Nipa, S. N. (2016). · Floating Houses Community-Based Flood "Biodeterioration in the Paharpur Buddhist Resilience Innovations In Bangladesh Bihara: A world Cultural Heritage Site in Client: KPMG East Africa Limited Bangladesh". Stamford Journal of Environment Duration: Jan 2017 Jun 2018 and Human Habitat, 5. · Advancing Water security of Marginalized Communities living along Karnali-Ganges river basin in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh Annual Report 2016 | 99 Centre for Entrepreneurship Development

Overview ü To make visible impact on Bangladeshi To make significant contribution in creating an entrepreneurs and set them on the path to inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in sustainability Bangladesh, Centre for Entrepreneurship Slogan Development (CED) of BRACU started its journey in Kindling the spirit of Entrepreneurship and April 2011 under BBS, BRACU with the view to Innovation encouraging Bangladeshi entrepreneurs through engendering entrepreneurial knowledge and skill Goals and Objectives so that the entrepreneurs can systematically With the motto of “helping people help develop and grow their own businesses. CED themselves”, the goal of CED is to encourage works for engaging potential Bangladeshi entrepreneurship and engender entrepreneurial entrepreneurs in innovative thinking and provides a knowledge and skills through innovation, capacity platform for new and existing enterprises, be it development and leadership. The key objectives of micro, small, or medium, through skills acquisition CED are as follows: activities for the development and management of ü to promote the idea of entrepreneurship in the enterprise. To understand the enterprise better, Bangladesh CED emphasizes on research that will contribute to ü to help build capabilities of the entrepreneurs entrepreneurial development in Bangladesh, ü advance education and skill acquisition along this to address the knowledge gaps and skill line, and popularize the idea of entrepreneurship. shortcomings that prevent entrepreneurs (in various sectors) from growing their businesses Vision and run them effectively To make significant contribution in creating an ü to develop academic curricula and introduce inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in courses targeting entrepreneurs and students, Bangladesh. who wish to pursue an entrepreneurial path ü Mission to engage and collaborate with organizations which may include educational institutions for ü To inspire, devise, nurture, develop, and elevate improving the entrepreneurial ventures of local entrepreneurship through innovation, and foreign entrepreneurs institutional capacity, and leadership. ü To unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs Achievement in Bangladesh CED is experienced in serving the local community through various services like capacity building 100 | Annual Report 2016 programme, promotion of small and medium-sized CED is organizing various capacity development and enterprises, entrepreneurial and other research, executive education programmes in collaboration entrepreneurs' exchange programmes, business with BBS and SAPIEN. In 2017, CED has plan to incubation centre, fellowship programmes, launch four (4) executive education programmes for monitoring and evaluation, implementation of the capacity development of professionals. development projects, convening(s), etc. In 2016, Faculty Overview CED completed its fourth operational year, and within this short period with various activities, has At the organizational level within BRACU increased its visibility within the dynamic framework, CED is currently headed by an Adviser, entrepreneurial community of Bangladesh. Major and run by a Programme Manager with two (5) full- activities of CED in 2016 include implementation of time and one (1) part-time staff. BBS faculty capacity development programme for AWAJ members, academic and administration personnel Foundation (an RMG workers' right-based from other departments, and other resources from organization) and completion of the planning phase BRACU are committed on a project-by-project of “Participatory Factory Mapping Research” basis as and when required. (PFMR) [a pilot RMG factory mapping project], both Activities (January-December 2016) funded by C&A Foundation. Along with this, CED developed 10 training modules as a part of its Training/Workshop under the capacity building professional capacity development and executive project titled “Enhancing Organizational education programmes. Capacity of AWAJ Foundation through Developing Effective Managerial Skills” funded CED was involved in organizing “BRACU/NYU by the C&A Foundation Reynolds/D-Prize Global Social Venture Competition” and also organized the South Asia 1. Generic ToT (Training of Trainers) for the Field- Launching Ceremony of “Connect to Grow”, the level Personnel of AWAJ Foundation (9-14 enterprise matchmaking initiative supported by the January 2016 at NGO Forum for Public Health UK government. Throughout the year, CED has Training Centre, Lalmatia, Dhaka) been organizing various entrepreneurship 2. Training on Communication, Leadership and exchange and fellowship programmes, and Decision Making for Top-Level Officials of AWAJ Business Plan Competition(s), boot camps, Foundation (1-4 February 2016 at GDLN Centre, innovation workshops, business plan development BRACU) workshops, etc. for the aspiring entrepreneurs from 3. Training on Project Cost Management: BRACU under “CED Entrepreneurs' Den” Estimating, Budgeting, Cost Controlling for programme. Along with this, a regular programme Top-Level Officials of AWAJ Foundation (14-16 titled “Entrepreneur Speaks” was also organized to February 2016 at GDLN Centre, BRACU) widen the base of entrepreneurship of BRACU 4. Training on Communication, Leadership and students/alumni through sharing experiences by Decision Making for Field-Level Employees of renowned young entrepreneurs of Bangladesh. AWAJ (22-25 February 2016 at NGO Forum for CED has already established an academia-based Public Health at Lalmatia, Dhaka) Business Incubation Centre (BIC) through a Sub- 5. Workshop on Strategic Planning (16 May 2016 Project under HEQEP; Business Plan Competitions at BBS Conference Room in BRACU) and enrollment of incubatees to the BIC have been organizing as a part of the initiative. The sub-project Two Project Information Dissemination has been extended up to March 2017. So far, eight Workshops with National and International (8) incubatee groups have been enrolled to the BIC Organizations, and Workers' Association and and are receiving incubation support and services. Federations In addition to these, CED has also launched its As a part of the research project titled “Participatory official website (http://ced.bracu.ac.bd) under the Factory Mapping Research: Planning Phase” main domain of BRACU website. conducted by CED, BRACU, two (2) workshop titled “Project Information Dissemination Ongoing Initiative Workshop” were organized on 18 February 2016 CED is currently working on the proposal and 27 February 2016 at GDLN Centre of BRACU development phase of the RMG factory mapping with the participants from national and international project titled “Digital RMG Factory Mapping in organizations, and workers' associations and Bangladesh” (DRFM-B). CED has given federations. The workshop exhibited the concentration on conducting a number of in-house interactive, web-based, multi-layered mapping research studies on entrepreneurship, agriculture application on RMG industry of Bangladesh and development, among other regular activities. developed by CED, BRACU. Annual Report 2016 | 101

BRACU Team “Project: Enlightened Human” Training on “Generate Your Business Idea” with Wins BRACU/NYU Reynolds/D-Prize Social ILO Venture Competition CED and International Labour Organization (ILO) CED, BRACU is proud to be a part of BRACU/New jointly organized a 3-day training titled “Generate York University Reynolds Programme in Social Your Business Idea” (GYB) as a part of the “Start Entrepreneurship (NYU Reynolds)/D-Prize Global and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Programme” Social Venture Competition Consortium. Cutting- under the “Bangladesh Skills for Employment and edge universities around the world have joined Productivity” (B-SEP) project being implemented together to conduct their own intra-school by the Government of Bangladesh and ILO. The competitions and support their students' efforts to training was organized during 19-21 May 2016 at scale sustainable, proven poverty solutions in the CED premises in BRACU with the aim to provide developing world. BRACU team titled “Project: the aspiring Bangladeshi youths and/or potential Enlightened Human”; mentored by CED, won the entrepreneurs with necessary skills to generate BRACU/NYU Reynolds/D-Prize Social Venture their business ideas efficiently and structure Competition 2015-16. The team was awarded with bankable business plans successfully. a funding of USD 10,000 borne jointly by BRACU Entrepreneurship Development Training and D-Prize. The programme was organized during Programme for Midwives the second quarter of 2016. BRACU's James P Grant School of Public Health CED Organized the South Asia Launch of (JPGSPH) and CED jointly organized a 3-day “Connect to Grow” training on “Entrepreneurship Development” for the CED organized the South Asia Launching midwifery graduates of the “Developing Midwives Ceremony of “Connect to Grow”, the enterprise Project” at BRAC Learning Centre (BLC), Uttara, matchmaking initiative supported by the UK Dhaka. The project is funded by DFID and government, on 9 March 2016 at BRAC Centre in implemented by JPGSPH, BRACU. Under this Dhaka, Bangladesh from 2pm to 6pm. The initiative, the training was conducted in 4 batches Bangladesh event commences the search for consisting of 88 participants. The training for the enterprises in the region who are ready to partner first two batches were organized during 20-22 with innovative companies, to grow their business- September 2016; while for the second two batches, and have a positive impact on the lives of the poor. the schedule was during 25-27 September 2016. CED Entrepreneurs' Den Programmes “Entrepreneur Speaks” Programme Organized 1. Final Presentation of Business Plan by CED/BIC Competition (Round-2) [7 April 2016, at BBS CED and BIC of BRACU jointly organized an Conference Room] entrepreneurial development and motivational 2. Innovation Workshop on “Business Plan programme titled “Entrepreneur Speaks” on 14 Development” (29 September 2016 at BIC) November 2016, Monday from 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM at BRACU Auditorium. The Guest Speakers of 3. 2 workshops titled “Innovation Workshop” on the programme were: Mr. Prito Reza (Photographer, 28 July 2016 and 30 July 2016 Director, TV Host, Founder of Wedding Diary), Ms. 4. Boot Camp for the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Tania Wahab (Managing Director, KARIGAR), and Mr. under “CED Entrepreneurs' Den” (1-3 Biplob G. Rahul (Founder & CEO, eCourier.com.bd). September 2016) Over 120 BRACU students attended the event. 5. Business Plan Development Workshop on Mid-Term Evaluation of DALA Project and Final Financial Management (20 October 2016 at BIC) Evaluation of Stop Child Marriage (SCM) Project 6. Business Plan Competition (BPC) Round 3 (26 Funded by Plan International Bangladesh November 2016 at BBS Conference Room) CED has keen interest in developing its expertise in Professional Fellows Exchange Programme the field of research. CED completed a research The “Professional Fellows Exchange” is a US study related to the mid-term evaluation of an Department of State supported exchange adolescent programme titled “Developing programme being managed by the Gaylord College Aspiration and Livelihood for Adolescents” (DALA). of Journalism and Mass Communication, CED also worked on a research study e.g. the final University of Oklahoma, USA, partnering with CED, evaluation of an adolescent programme titled BRACU. In 2016, under this high-profile exchange “Stop Child Marriage” (SCM) project. Both the programme, a total of 7 young Bangladeshi evaluation has been funded by Plan International professionals from diverse business backgrounds Bangladesh. visited USA for 5 weeks. 102 | Annual Report 2016 Professional Development Centre

Background Mission The Professional Development Centre (PDC) is an The core mission of the centre is to assist BRACU innovation of BRAC University (BRACU) dedicated and other local higher educational institutions in to promoting excellence in education through evaluating and embracing effective modes of shared understanding and best practices. The PDC teaching practices that deliver excellent strives to build a creative environment of educational experience to students. The issues pedagogical development and research that related to diversity, learner autonomy and voice fosters innovation across the university. The Centre along with the transferability of learning to keeps the campus community updated with workplaces, people and society are also priorities pedagogical developments, coordinates academic of the centre. resources, supports professional development and Introducing PDC contributes to student success. From group events to personalized attention, PDC supports In February 2016, the Teaching and Learning measurable effectiveness in faculty development, Centre (TLC) was renamed as the PDC. course instructions and assessment, scholarly Faculty Programmes research, and innovation in education Certificate in Higher Education Teaching (CHET) technologies. Programme Vision On 5 May 2016, BRACU PDC began a certificate The PDC of BRACU will be a dynamic platform programme in higher education teaching (CHET) promoting its goals in higher educational with faculty members. The key objective of this institutions of Bangladesh, South Asia, and programme is to sensitise and enhance the beyond. Whereas university academics will be the capacity of BRACU faculty members on several key primary beneficiaries of the centre, the greater concepts and good practices of global and local community of stakeholders will include students, educational processes. The second batch of CHET management staff and anyone interested in started from Fall 2016 with 31 faculty members. education industries. Annual Report 2016 | 103

Faculty orientation programme Continuous Professional Development of PDC PDC hosted the 19th Faculty Orientation Staff Programme on the 27 and 28 April 2016. A total of Publications 13 new faculty members attended this session. PDC faculty members published several papers on PDC also organized a half-day follow-up Education in official conference proceedings and workshop of the 18th Faculty Orientation journals. Programme on 18 February 2016. A total of 19 Conferences new faculty members attended this follow up PDC faculty members presented their research session. papers on 'Education' in national and international Faculty conversations regarding reviewing level conferences this year. course outlines Presentations PDC received and reviewed learning outcomes of Hamim Al Ahsan gave a demonstrative presentation all the course outlines from eleven departments on 'New Directions in Literary Research' at BRACU and shared the findings in 'faculty conversations' on 19 and 20 May 2016. He also announced the the to assist them in reviewing their own course launching the first ever digital humanities platform for outlines. BRACU on 29 September 2016. Workshops on 'Learning Outcomes, Lesson Workshops and Seminars Planning and Reflections' Strengthening Teaching and Learning Capacity PDC has been working in support of Institutional in the Higher Education Sector of Bangladesh Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to organize and facilitate workshops on pedagogy for BRACU The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh faculty members. There were 6 workshops in (UGC) and the British Council jointly organized a- two day long workshop on 'Strengthening Teaching March 2016 and 3 in April 2016 on 'Learning and Learning Capacity in the Higher Education Outcomes, Lesson Planning and Critical Sector of Bangladesh' under the 'Centre of Reflections'. A total of 159 faculty members have Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)' participated in this programme. PDC also programme on 25 and 26 May 2016. Dr. Golam facilitated 10 refresher sessions on the same topic Jamil and Muhammad Foysal Mubarak attended and a total of 83 participants attended these the programme on behalf of BRACU. sessions. Reaching Education 2030: 7th Five Year Plan and Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning Beyond Unit Sabrina Syed and Muhammad Foysal Mubarak In 2016, PDC accumulated all of its learning from attended a seminar titled “Reaching Education seminars and workshops, and accommodated 2030: 7 Five Year Plan and Beyond” on 28 those into: (i) a web application and (ii) CHET- December 2016. The main objective of this seminar Module. The web application is the e-portfolio was to raise our voice to achieve the 'Education system which has the capacity to allocate personal 2030 Agenda' of Bangladesh. websites to individuals for generating electronic Trainer validation workshop in Sri Lanka portfolios. The e-portfolio system is also packed Sabrina Syed was selected and sponsored by the with a learning management system, British Council Bangladesh for the 'Trainer student/faculty feedback system and dynamic Validation Workshop' held in Sri Lanka from 8-11 scheduling mechanisms. CHET is a 12-module August 2016 and validated by the British Council at course and one of the modules is on the technology the end of the workshop. usage in classroom. The modules cover a wide range of technology based tools and applications, Service to the Community starting from Google apps, podcasts and ranging On 9 April 2016, as part of community services, up to home grown tools, such as a learning PDC organized a teacher development management system and e-portfolio. 104 | Annual Report 2016 workshop at BRACU. There were 21 participants Bangladeshi officers and 73 overseas officers from from five schools and one development 25 countries attended the sessions. organization. BRACU and British Council organized a two-day Dr Mohammad Golam Jamil facilitated a six-session workshop on 'Developing the quality of teaching in course on Writing for Effective Communication for Bangladesh Higher Education' under the 'Centre the DSCSC 2016-17 batch on 5 and 6 April 2016 at for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)' Defence Services Command and Staff College, programme on 5 and 6 December 2016 at BRACU Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka. A total of 211 and British Council respectively. Annual Report 2016 | 105 Global Development Learning Network Centre

BRACU is the one and only affiliate of Global Collectively, affiliates put on 1000+ learning Development Learning Network (GDLN) in the sessions a year that range from training courses country since 2006, boasting a well equipped and informal brainstorming sessions to multi- centre with facilities for seating around 60 country dialogues and virtual conferences. GDLN participants with modern sound proofed audio and learning specialists in these organizations video conferencing facilities. collaborate in designing customized learning This centre is controlled by the BRACU IT solutions for clients. With increasing links to in- Department and is frequently rented out to both country networks, GDLN's reach now extends to internal departments and external organizations for more than 500 access points around the world. various seminars, meetings, etc. GDLN is a Sessions are designed for specific learning partnership of over 120 learning centres in nearly 80 objectives and audiences and also draw on applied countries around the world. Their members knowledge and expertise from across the network. communicate, share knowledge and learn from They usually feature a combination of learning each others' experiences in a timely and cost techniques, such as expert panels, case based effective manner. learning and action plans, as well as information and communication tools, used in face-to-face, Work with GDLN videoconferencing and e-learning events. The GDLN affiliates offer direct access to local, regional and international development experts; What GDLN Offers provide tailored learning programmes, knowledge GDLN is present in most major cities and in many or technical assistance programmes, and state-of- secondary cities. We offer direct access to local, the-art facilities for multi-point videoconferencing regional and international development experts, and internet-based learning. provide tailored learning programmes, knowledge Coordinated by the World Bank, GDLN has a or technical assistance programmes, and state of partnership of over 120 recognized global the art facilities for multi-point video conferencing institutions (Affiliates) in some 80 countries. The and internet-based learning. Affiliates are as diverse as the Korean Development Services of GDLN fall into four broad categories: Institute, the Kenya School of Government - programme, session design, session management eLearning and Development Institute, the Energy and session coordination. and Resource Institute in India or the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. 106 | Annual Report 2016 Writing Centre

Overview Appointments The BRAC University Writing Centre (WC) is a Attendees Fall 16 Summer 16 Spring 16 complementary academic service unit that Combined Total 335 95 164 supports students, staff, and faculty to hone their writing skills. The Centre fosters excellence in Student 331 94 160 written communication throughout the university; a Appointments place where focused individualized teaching is Faculty 4 1 4 delivered at all stages of the composition process. Appointments The writing consultants at the Centre work closely Student response in 2016 has varied much through and dedicatedly with the clients at every stage of the year. There was an upsurge in the student the writing process. The Centre offers number in Spring that receded in Summer but appointments and drop-ins, workshops, learning gained a significant momentum in Fall. The resources, and provides space for one-to-one and appointments through the year addressed a variety group support for all disciplines. Another major of topics ranging from understanding and function of the WC is to conduct and host maintaining academic integrity to components and workshops on academic writing skills. As an structure of academic writings. Also discussed additional service, the Centre provides convenient much frequently in the sessions were the essentials access to resources and reference materials about of academic writing such as sentence variations, academic writing, online at their website diversity in the use of vocabulary and avoiding [wc.bracu.ac.bd], for use by students and faculty. fragment and run-ons in sentences. Each session, The most significant alteration at the WC in 2016 customized to cater to the individual needs of the has been the appointment of a group of students, was uniquely facilitated by identifying undergraduate students as part of the centre's and determining an achievable goal. It should be staff. Designated as Peer Tutors (PT), the principal noted that despite the uniqueness of each session, function of the PT was to work with the 1st year the data collected and preserved for every students to help them overcome their language appointment serves as a framework for developing barriers. The new team, consisting of the faculty study materials and workshop contents for the members and the PT, has, for the past year, following terms. Additionally, research on best continued to add value to the process and structure teaching and tutoring practices are done every initiated in 2015 and as a result the centre has term to ensure more effective learning of the thrived. In the 3 terms of 2016, a total of 594 students who seek the services of WC. appointments and 38 workshops were facilitated at Faculty response to the individual appointment the WC. service was less popular in 2016. The few sessions Annual Report 2016 | 107 availed by the faculty members mostly discussed students seeking the service of WC. At the outset, the style and structure of writing statement of the tutors were oriented into the pedagogical purpose for higher education. This issue will be practices of the Centre through a daylong training. given considerable attention in 2017. They continued to learn more about the tutoring strategies through observing the sessions Workshops conducted by the centre's consultants and from A variety of topics were discussed in the 38 the reflective sharing of each other's sessions. workshops offered throughout 2016 conducted by They also received constant guidance and support both the WC consultants and resource persons from the WC consultants in conducting the from BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL). The sessions. They showed much interest in the workshops for the faculty members were: activities assigned to them. · Effective teaching of Writing through Interaction & Collaboration Development Training · Adapting Challenges in Educational Projects The WC coordinator Ms. Mehetaz Chowdhury participated in a 5-day long workshop titled “Basic · Three Myths about Teaching Course on Scientific Writing for Mid-Level · Effective Feedback in Written English Researcher and Development Practitioners” · Plagiarism and how to avoid it using APA organized by James P. Grant School of Public · Planning your research Health. The principal focus of the session was to acquaint the participants with a commonly used · Writing your Proposal scientific writing structure called IMRAD · Writing Abstracts (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). · Writing Literature Review In addition to an elaborate discussion on the · Writing Statement of Purpose components of the structure, the facilitators of the session shared knowledge of language tools and · Using Zotero to Manage References for techniques that are appropriate and acceptable for Research scientific writing. The training proved useful for The student workshops in 2016 focused on designing materials for workshops for the students developing both the essential writing skills as well and faculty members of BRACU to be offered in as the research writing skills of the students. While 2017. some of these workshops were designed to address all the students, others were customized to BRACU Listening Lab cater the particular needs of a group of students. The Listening Lab provides a platform for the The workshops offered through the year covered students of BRACU to develop their language topics such as: proficiency. The resources at the Lab offer extensive opportunity for developing reading and · Deconstructing Assignments listening skills outside the classroom. In addition to · Dealing with Difficult Words books and listening tracks in English, the Lab also · Read to Learn to Write houses materials in Bangla, Chinese and French. In · Creative Writing and Extensive Reading recent times, the Lab has adopted an integrated approach to foster language skills in the form of · Starting your Thesis individual and guided listening practice sessions. In · Literature Review line with that, the Lab initiated weekly sessions for · Avoiding Plagiarism the students that focus on teaching and practicing · Introduction to APA different listening skills. · Synthesizing Information The Listening Lab operates from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for 5 days a week. The core operational staff of · Research Proposal the lab consists of Ms. Sanzida Pias, who works · Reading Journal Articles with different groups of BIL faculty members each · Word Order semester. Their roles at the Lab include monitoring · Sentence Variations the proper utilization of the lab resources by the students, providing individual consultation to the Peer Tutors students and conducting weekly listening In 2016, 8 BRACU students became a part of the sessions. In 2016, a total of 7377 students have WC as Peer Tutors to offer consultations to the availed the services of the Listening Lab. 108 | Annual Report 2016

From Summer 2016, the Listening Lab has been attendee and the best performer at the lab linked to the undergraduate English courses sessions. The selected students were awarded offered by BIL. Under the agreement, it was with gift coupons. decided that the struggling students from these In addition to organizing its own activities, the courses would particularly be recommended to the Listening Lab also hosts a wide array of programs. Lab for individual consultations. The progress was The sessions hosted at the lab throughout 2016 closely monitored by the lab consultants and a are: record was maintained in the form of a portfolio for each student. These portfolios kept notes on the · English Speaking Activity, organized by the respective student's activities and performance, BRACU Communication and Language Club along with progress feedback by the consultant. · Extended English Speaking Activity for the Pre- The reports were compiled and sent to the University students respective teachers at the end of each semester. · Reading Circle, coordinated by BIL faculty The response to this collaboration was reported to member Abu Bakar Siddique be remarkable. · Journal Club, organized by BIL The weekly listening sessions were initiated in Fall · Observational Tool for Professional 2016 with the objective of familiarizing the students Development workshop for BIL faculty with different active listening tools and techniques. members The topics covered this term were “Importance of · Motivational workshop for ENG 091 students Listening Skills”, “Communication Barrier”, “Note- taking Tips”, “Whispering Games”, “List-less Word · Pre-University reading sessions Games” and “Group Story-telling”. · Documentary Screening session celebrating th To motivate and encourage students to visit the lab the 80 birthday of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed more often, a prize-giving ceremony was organized · Workshop on “Read, Listen, Learn” on November 30, 2016 to acknowledge the highest RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Ayesha Abed Library BRACU Administration Counseling Unit Finance and Accounts Department Human Resources Department (HRD) Information Technology Department (IT) Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Medical Centre Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations (OCSAR), Office of Co-curricular Activities (OCA) and Office of Student Affairs Office of Communications (OoC) Office of the Registrar Procurement Department Relationship Management Office (RMO) Residential Semester (RS) PARTNERS IN EDUCATION COMMITTEES Finance Committee Faculty Selection Committee Disciplinary Committee AUDITOR'S REPORT LIST OF ACRONYMS 110 | Annual Report 2016 Ayesha Abed Library

The Ayesha Abed Library at BRACU aims to digital and information literacy skills. The become a world-class knowledge resource centre workshops covered the following topics: and provide innovative services and collections to o Learn your Library and Introduction to support academic and research activities of the Research university community. o Institutional Repository@ BRACU: In 2016, Ayesha Abed Library continued to increasing the visibility and impact strengthen and expand its collections and its o services by purchasing and subscribing to print Plagiarism and Reference Management and electronic resources and to develop and using Mendeley maintain the required technical infrastructure for o Turnitin-Anti Plagiarism Web Tool accessing these resources. A very significant · The library conducted 47 information literacy achievement of this year was to archive 336 old and classes for 1257 students and faculty. The main rare documents of BRAC from 1972 to 2004 into purpose of the sessions was to acquaint Institutional Repository (dspace.bracu.ac.bd) of students and faculty with the information BRACU. The project involved scanning documents sources, resources and techniques to retrieve in-house and metadata entry. The content in the resources as per their needs. Institutional Repository will continue to grow as the library digitizes more material. The other major · Ms. Hasina Afroz, University Librarian, BRACU accomplishment of the year was to automate Savar conducted a session on Management of UDL e- Campus Library using Integrated Library System Resource in a day-long workshop on "Central Koha. Library Capacity Building" organized by Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project Training/Workshop conducted in 2016 (HEQEP) at UGC auditorium on 1 December · BRACU Ayesha Abed Library conducted two 2016. Librarians from 80 public and private Research Skill workshops for faculty in universities of the country participated in the association with IQAC, BRACU. The workshop workshop. was held on 24 September and 2 June 2016 in the Library Learning Resource Centre. A total of · Ms. Hasina Afroz, University Librarian acts as 77 faculty from different departments Member of the UGC Digital Library participated in the workshop. The main purpose Consortium's Expert Committee, Coordinating of the workshop was to help students develop Committee and Negotiation Committee. Annual Report 2016 | 111

Staff Training, Development and Conference Dhaka, Bangladesh in collaboration with Participation HEQEP, UGC. Training is a crucial element of excellent staff · Ms. Asma Khatun, Senior Assistant Librarian, performance. Library staff participated in the and Mr. Saiful Islam, Assistant Librarian, following workshops, seminars, and conferences participated in a day-long seminar on during the year: “Information Service of BANSDOC to enhance Science and technology Research in Digital · Ms. Hasina Afroz, University Librarian, BRACU Bangladesh” organized by Bangladesh National attended the MeetBdREN 2016 Conference Scientific Technical and Documentation Centre from 18-19 April 2016 at Nabab Nawab Ali on 28 August 2016. Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka. She presented a paper on “Institutional Users' Satisfaction Survey Repository@ BRACU: increasing the visibility In 2016, BRACU Ayesha Abed Library conducted a and impact” and co-chaired the digital library users' satisfaction survey inviting responses from session. students and faculty. The purpose of the survey was to measure current use and levels of · Mr. Md. Shahajada Masud Anowarul Haque, satisfaction with the library and to identify priorities Senior Assistant Librarian, attended a webinar for the future. A total of 250 respondents completed on “Research4Life: The library that opens the survey. The survey explored the views of doors” organized by Agriculture Information respondents about frequency of use of library Management Standards (AIMS) and resources and satisfaction levels with library Research4Life on 17 March 2016. services, overall views on library services and · Mr. Md. Shahajada Masud Anowarul Haque, recommendations for improvement to the library Senior Assistant Librarian attended the services and resources. Some findings are given international training programme on “Advanced below: Certificate Course on Modern Library · 61.6% (154) of respondents said they visit the Practices” from 28 September to 22 November library in-person at least 1-5 hours during a 2016 at the National Institute of Technical normal week. Teachers Training and Research, Chennai, · 58% (145) of respondents spend at least 1-5 India. This training programme was sponsored hours of using online resources from BRACU by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government library's web page. of India, under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). He also participated in a · 16.8% (42) of respondents never used the quiz event as part of the Inter LIS School library in-person and 23.6% (59) of respondents Competition on the occasion of National Library said they never used library's online resources. Week celebrations organized by the Department · The most common activity on visiting the library of Library & Information Science, University of was individual study and borrow or return books Madras on 18 November 2016. There were 20 (52.8%, 132) , followed by group study (36.4%, participants from different Universities of Chennai 91) and research (13.2%, 33). LIS schools and Mr. Haque won the third place in The users were asked to rate how the library that quiz competition. generally meets their needs in terms of books, · Ms. Safinoor Sagorika, Assistant Librarian, journals, electronic databases, library catalogue, participated and presented a paper titled “Web- computers, photocopiers, printing, helpfulness of based resource management system for staff, training sessions, study facilities, study promoting teaching and learning: Bangladesh environment and opening and closing times. perspectives” in the International Conference Respondents were provided with a 5-point scale on Teaching and Learning (ICTL 2016) from 22- (5 = Very Satisfied, 4 = Satisfied, 3 = Neither 23 April 2016, organized by the Centre for Satisfied nor Dissatisfied, 2 = Dissatisfied, 1 = Very Pedagogy, Independent University Bangladesh, Dissatisfied). 112 | Annual Report 2016

Table 1: Satisfaction with the Library Resources

Collections Very Satisfied Neither Dissatisfied Very Responses/ Mean Median Std. Satisfied Satisfied nor Dissatisfied Total N Deviation Dissatisfied The Print book 15.1% 58.8% 15.1% 9.8% 1.2% 245 3.77 4.00 .868 collection On-line 22.1% 51.3% 20.4% 4.6% 1.7% 240 3.88 4.00 .864 journals, databases, e-books Institutional 20.5% 50.4% 26.1% 3.0% 0% 234 3.88 4.00 .758 Repository (Theses, dissertation, internship report) Note: “Not answered” responses are not included in the above calculation.

Respondents were also invited to suggest three borrowing privileges, a better range and more things that they think would improve the library copies of core books, etc. experience at BRACU. A total of 186 respondents Users were asked to indicate their level of made suggestions, highlighting a number of key agreement or disagreement with different issues for library users, including improvements to statements related to the library. the library's space, study environment, increasing

Table 2: Satisfaction with Library Staff

Statement Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Responses Mean Median Std. Agree Agree nor Disagree Deviation Disagree The library staff 21.2% 48.4% 24.4% 2.0% .4% 250 3.77 4.00 1.049 is knowledgeable The library staff 26.0% 44.4% 20.8% 2.4% 2.4% 250 3.77 4.00 1.172 provides clear and accurate responses The staff is 30.4% 43.6% 17.2% 3.6% 1.6% 250 3.87 4.00 1.152 helpful The staff is 28.8% 43.6% 16.0% 7.2% 4% 250 3.81 4.00 1.176 always available to assist The staff 30.4% 38.4% 20.4% 6.0% 1.2% 250 3.81 4.00 1.158 provide response in a timely manner The library 30.4% 35.6% 21.6% 4.8% 3.6% 250 3.72 4.00 1.267 has competent staff Note: “Not answered” responses are not included in the above calculations Annual Report 2016 | 113

Table 3: Overall Satisfaction with the Library

Statement Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Responses Mean Median Std. Agree Agree nor Disagree Deviation Disagree Overall the library 20.8% 49.6% 21.2% 4.8% 1.2% 250 3.77 4.00 1.027 provides me with a good service The library 20.8% 39.2% 23.6% 7.2% 6.0% 250 3.52 4.00 1.249 provides a good range of printed books The library 22.0% 41.6% 24.8% 4.8% 2.4% 250 3.63 4.00 1.203 provides a good range of online resources Information on 26.4% 37.6% 24.8% 4.4% 2.0% 250 3.68 4.00 1.240 the library website is easy to find

Note: “Not answered” responses are not included in the above calculations.

Statistical Summary

Book Purchased 2016 (Department wise) Number of items added into Institutional Repository 117 (dspace.bracu.ac.bd) 108 110 1584 71 66 53 49 28 22 1001 10 12 7 9 2 603 693 C) es... tural... Misc. 464 e (AR e (PDC) 377 ernance... t School of... ectur an e of Languager Science and... chit e of Gov tics and PharmacyNa (PHR) . Gr Ar titut School of Law (SoL) Comput Electrical and Electronic... James P Mathema essional Dev. Centr BRAC Business School (BBS) BRAC Ins English and Humanities (ENH) BRAC Institut Economics and Social Sciences...Prof 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 114 | Annual Report 2016

Number of Downloads (e-books) Number of Successful Login through Open Athens to Online Resources (2014-2016) 2014 2015 2016 5377 5691 4750 4342 4148 3732 3258 2912 2093

274 457 622 197 204 29 11 16 364 182

McGraw-Hill Pearson Oxford Springer SAGE Cambridge Publisher Publisher University Publisher eBooks eBooks Press Publisher 2014 2015 2016 Annual Report 2016 | 115

Online Journal Articles downloads 2010-2016

55086 48588 45015 39397 41911 31463 25494

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 116 | Annual Report 2016

BRACU Administration

Overview ! ensure healthy and hygienic environment BRACU Administration plays a crucial role by of the university providing administrative and logistical support to ! provide and maintain transport facilities for facilitate academic and other related activities of faculty, staff and students the university. ! provide and support renovation works for Core Functions of Administration the university The Administration Office has a wide-ranging Highlights 2016 number of core functions which are integral to the th ! Successfully completed 11 Convocation smooth running of the university. Below are some with many kinds of logistical support of its core functions and responsibilities: ! Provided logistical support for admission ! provide logistical support to ensure tests every semester smooth running of all academic and non- ! academic activities Provided support for conducting classes and exams ! provide support to the admission process ! Provided logistical support for all ! look after all fixed and variable assets workshops, seminars and conferences ! ensure maintenance of all assets across the university ! provide logistical support across the ! Provided all kinds of logistical and university transport support for BRACU, BRACU new ! ensure high-level safety and security campus and Residential Semester, Savar. ! ensure successful completion of any event ! Provided all kinds of renovation works for of the university the university Annual Report 2016 | 117

118 | Annual Report 2016 Counseling Unit

“Knowing others is Wisdom, knowing yourself The mission of the Counseling Unit is to offer is Enlightenment”- Lao Tzu unbiased mental health services and support to Recognizing the importance of mental health assist in moving towards positive changes. It support in personal and professional development supports an environment that fosters personal and well-being, BRAC University Counseling Unit growth, development, and psychological has been offering mental health services for wellbeing. The unit also follows the American BRACU students, faculty members and staff since Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics to 2002. Following an extensive assessment of maintain confidentiality, nonjudgmentality and counseling needs in 2005, the Counseling Unit was respect for individual and cultural differences. formally established in the same year. In response Mental Health Services Offered to the growing need for counseling service, the unit Counseling Service: The Counseling Unit offers now consists of nine professional counselors individual, group, couple and parent counseling working under the supervision of Lady Syeda sessions. Some of the issues that students come Sarwat Abed, Director, BRAC Institute of with for counseling are: concerns related to Languages. Professor Mehtab Khanam, parenting; academic concerns (e.g., problem with Chairperson, Department of Educational and presentation, difficulties in group work, etc.); Counseling Psychology, advises the unit in case adjustment issues (e.g., adjustment with the supervision and professional growth with her vast course, peer, faculty member), addiction, anxiety; experience and knowledge in the field. This unit relationship issues and etc. provides counseling for problems resulting from fast-paced and complex lifestyle through offering Starting university is an exciting life-event full of empathetic listening, appropriate therapeutic changes and challenges. Students may face a procedures, and by helping to maintain a good variety of challenges in personal development, balance of psychological, emotional, physical and academic performance and adjustment to spiritual aspects of our being as a whole. The university life. Therefore, this unit assists students counselors provide a wide range of support to learn to manage personal issues and services and educational programmes at the situational crises, develop strategies to adjust to Mohakhali and at the Residential Campus at Savar. campus life and cope with academic stress, and Annual Report 2016 | 119 grow self-awareness, personal responsibility and Seminars: Every semester, the Counseling Unit skills. arranges seminars on a variety of psychosocial In the year 2016, the unit provided counseling issues for raising community awareness on mental services to a total of 403 clients both at the health wellbeing. In the year 2016, the Counseling Mohakhali Campus and at the Residential Campus. Unit conducted 3 seminars on "Learning Today, Out of all these clients, most of them were self- Saving Tomorrow: Awareness on Addiction" at referred and some were referred by the BRACU Savar Residential Campus on 13 February, 4 June authority. The total number of sessions were 1073. and 9 September 2016 respectively, to educate the youth about the negative consequences of abusing Workshops/Training: The unit also offers a variety drugs. In the seminar, the unit provided necessary of workshops and training on mental health issues, information regarding available counseling and healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and positive other resources to prevent or cure drug addiction. habits for students. In 2016, the unit offered as Besides, to promote and convey the importance of many as 27 workshops on a variety of issues such parent's contribution to the students' success and as "Meditation", "Anger Management", "Stress well-being, this unit also hosted two seminars titled Management", "Emotional Intelligence-way to "Parenting" with the parents of BRACU students on successful life", "Managing Exam Anxiety", "Self 28 May and 17 December 2016. In addition, like Love and Self Respect", "Love, Laugh and Learn", previous years, in 2016, the Counseling Unit also "Bullying and Mental Health", "Let's Appreciate hosted a seminar to observe World Mental Health Ourselves", "Group Dynamics", "How to Say Day on 20 October 2016. Hello", "Self Empowerment against Sexual Harassment", "Sowing the seeds of Friendship", Additional Activities at BRACU etc. Besides, the Counseling Unit organized a In 2016, the Counseling Unit also worked in series of workshops at the Resiential Campus as a collaboration with other offices inside the part of the observance of World Mental Health Day. university. As part of that, the unit facilitated a In 2016, on the basis of students' need, the unit session in Faculty Orientation Workshop, which offered a workshop on motivational session for was offered by the Professional Development English 091 students and 3 workshops on Centre; hosted short sessions on parenting; "Adjustment with Self and Others" for the students advised students of the First Year Advising Team of BRACU girls' Hostel. In 2016, this unit also (FYAT) programmes, conducted short sessions on reached out to other stakeholders of the university counseling at FYAT Day; and conducted academic community through counseling sessions, skills workshops. Some of the members of the educational programmes and workshops for Counseling Unit also worked as the instructors of faculty members and staff at BRACU. the classes of Introduction to Psychology (PSY

Highlights of 2016

Counseling Mohakhali Campus Residential Campus 403 Clients Counseling No. of Clients: 246 No. of clients: 157 1073 Sessions No. of Sessions: 619 No. of Sessions: 454 Seminar No. of Seminars: 03 No. of Seminars: 03 No. of Audience: 1465 Seminars No. of Audience: 250 6 Seminars Workshop No. of Sessions: 07 No. of Sessions: 20 1715 Audience No. of Participants: 190 No. of Participants: 745 Other Work ! Class Conduction ! Awareness Campaign Saad Supports ! FYAT Advising ! BRAC Visit and Social Workshops ! Parents Orientation Learning Lab 27 Workshops Session ! Research and Writings 935 Participants ! Faculty Orientation Articles 120 | Annual Report 2016

101) and Psychology for Architecture (PSY 421), gender people and gender conforming people in which were offered by the Department of life satisfaction and life stress” in an international Economics and Social Sciences. In addition, the conference in Singapore. Moreover, one member of unit conducted a number of promotional activities the unit published an article titled "You Deserve such as preparing and updating the Counseling Better" in Dhaka Tribune, 05 March 2016. Another Unit's website and brochure, and ribbon binding to member published an article titled Òm¤ú‡K© wek¦vm, kÖ×v, promote mental health awareness inside the fv‡jvevmv, AvšÍwiKZv eRvq ivLybÓ in The Daily Ittefaq on campuses. On the basis of needs, the unit also 25 July 2016, while another member published an assisted and participated in various activities of the article on ÒwKfv‡e K_v ej‡eb mšÍv‡bi m‡½Ó in Prothom residential campus, such as BRAC Visit Alo in October 2016. Programme, Social Learning Lab, Parents Meeting and Public Health Orientation Seminar. Professional Skills Development BRACU highly appreciates and encourages its Extended Support faculty members and staff to maintain and The Counseling Unit is also actively involved in a enhance their knowledge and professional skills, variety of training initiatives, educational so that they can deliver better quality service and programmes and collaborative efforts inside and meet the expectations and the requirements of outside the university. For the last five years, this their profession. In 2016, members of the unit has been facilitating motivational sessions for Counseling Unit attended different training, the students of the Medhabikash Programme workshops, seminars and conferences such as under the BRAC Education Program (BEP). In the Faculty Orientation and Development year 2016, this unit conducted 2 workshops for Programme, Certificate in Higher Education them. Teaching, Workshop on Learning Outcomes- Research and Article Publication Lesson Planning-Reflections; Workshop on In 2016, members of the unit published various Psychodynamics, Psychotraumatology and Eye articles to create community awareness on mental Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; health issues. Two members of the Counseling Unit Transactional Analysis 101; Mindfulness as a presented and published a research titled “Parental Therapeutic Tool, Psychodrama; sessions on dynamics in mental health and well-being of Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), Learning adolescent children” in an international conference outcomes, Lesson Planning and Critical in India. Another member presented and published Reflection. a research paper titled “Difference between third Annual Report 2016 | 121 Finance and Accounts Department

BRACU Finance and Accounts Department §Donor Reports operates under the supervision of the Treasurer, §Taxation activities in respect to the university who is directly appointed by the Chancellor and its faculty and staff (President-Government Republic of Bangladesh). §Student enrollment and registration The Finance and Accounts Department serves the § following primary activities: Faculty and staff payroll §Fixed assets management - receives tuition, admission and other fees from the students §Cash and cheque management §Budget preparation and budgetary control - receives research grants from donors §Financial forecasting, project proposals, etc. - makes all types of payments and arranges to meet the various requirements for the new IOU/Advances campus at Merul, Badda Other activities by this department include: It also handles a number of Donor Projects Audit, §Weekly Fund Position Report, Monthly Internal Audit round the year and the Statutory Central Budget Variance Report Audit for various stakeholders. §Annual Financial Statements The Finance and Accounts Department also §Scholarship Reports provides financial information, analysis and reports §Provident Fund and Gratuity Fund Financial to the management and assists in the policy and Statements decision-making process of BRACU. 122 | Annual Report 2016 Human Resources Department

2016 for the administration and management staff Employee Strength focusing on individual development as well as organizational development. Project staff, Service staff, 14, 2% The HRD follows the University Grants Commission 129, 15% guidelines to shape its recruitment policy with the objective of recruiting talented faculty members Admin, 192, 22% and administrative staff. In 2016, HRD launched the Course contract e-recruitment system through which 134 faculty, 150, 17% employees joined BRACU as faculty, administrative staff, project staff, and service staff. Interviews Regular faculty, arranged by HRD included written test, computer Part time 373, 43% faculty, 11, 1% test and face-to-face interview for recruiting administrative staff. The department follows separate procedures for recruiting faculty members which includes demo-classes, panel interviews, BRACU Human Resources Department (HRD) is etc., before the final selection. highly dedicated to create a platform for human resource development to comply with the mission There are separate human resource policies for of the university. This is carefully done by its good academic and non-academic staff. These practices and innovative approaches. The policies procedures include all the issues pertinent to and procedures are being updated regularly to human resource management at BRACU. A code of cope with the timely demand. This department conduct on sexual harassment is in place and plays a significant role in implementing followed by all employees working at BRACU. management decisions without compromising the HRD welcomes every new employee in a friendly benefits and scope of improvement for all the manner with an overview of the organization before employees working at BRACU. the formal orientation. The department also The department also works towards achieving the provides an orientation kit to new employees, a objective of making BRACU a centre of excellence. form for official ID, a form for computer access and In 2016, it has introduced a new performance e-mail access. HRD at BRACU manages biometric appraisal system for faculty members and worked attendance system for the administrative staff. to align the appraisal system once a year for all Employees can see their attendance and profile confirmed administrative staff. The department information anytime from anywhere through web organized two separate training programmes in access to their profile. Annual Report 2016 | 123

New employee joining report 2016

50 41 40

30

20 17 15 12 10 9 10 6 7 6 5 2 4 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 124 | Annual Report 2016 Information Technology Department

Objective In order to function smoothly, the department has a The principal objectives of the IT department are to Data Centre with an automated data processing provide all the members and departments of software application in the system which includes: BRACU with: University Students Information System (USIS); a number of servers in clusters; powerful open ! standard and updated IT services source platforms like RHEL and Ubuntu used as the ! a smoothly operating automation system operating system; and a powerful open source ! high level network security database utilizing Postgre SQL. The USIS cluster operates in a configuration called the “no single Responsibility point of failure”. However, to enhance the The core responsibilities of the IT are to: performance of USIS, a need to separate the ! maintain a fully functioning high level functions of Admissions, Exam and Transcript and automation system Enrollment activities have been detected and ! provide email and database services discussed. ! provide 24-hour onsite services related to IT In 2016, owing to some changes in policy and ! provide IT logistics to all the members of BRACU financial incongruity, the infrastructure and ! hardware maintenance support was reclaimed tend to all IT equipments across the university from biTS. Following the transformation, there was Facilities Provided by BRACU IT Department also an employee migration from biTS to BRACU, ! Support for over 2030 personal computers restructuring the in-house BRACU IT team. The used by faculty members and labs of various contract with biTS for providing software departments. maintenance and support for the USIS and 11 other ! softwares was also terminated following Internet bandwidth of over 310 Mbps from operational discordance. Consequently, a software BRACNet, Novocom and BTCL development team was put together in 2016 to ! Secured mail server using the open source redress the system glitches associated with the Zimbra USIS and address the changes requested by ! Customized Student Information System various offices of BRACU. (USIS) software and enrolment software The hardware infrastructure of BRACU consists of ! Data back-up service provided by redundant several servers out of which the USIS server cluster data base servers is the most significant. The infrastructure includes a ! A data centre that is maintained using state-of- network connectivity connecting all the six campus the-art brand servers from IBM, HP and DELL buildings by optical fiber. Possibilities of procuring ! 3-tier power backup system for the server two firewalls – NGFW for network protection and room operation Web server Application Delivery Appliance- have been discussed upon to provide protection against ! IT related support for over 67 well-equipped malware, hacking Trojans, viruses, DDOS attacks, classrooms etc. Furthermore, a connection to BdREN ! Instant support to 23 computer labs information highway is being explored presently. ! Over 40 IT support personnel, including This connectivity to BdREN is expected to help network and server specialists, who are BRACU use the information highway connecting deployed to provide instantaneous support to the Trans Eurasian Information Network (TEIN). all departments Annual Report 2016 | 125 Institutional Quality Assurance Cell

The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of The role of IQAC BRACU was established in July 2015 with a view to The IQAC was set up following an administrative ensuring quality in all types of activities of the order of the university authority. It is organized in a university. IQAC was established as project for a manner which befits the size, existing structure and period of 3 years with financial assistance from capacity of the university as delineated in the HEQEP, UGC and World Bank. IQAC will become a Act.The role of IQAC is to: permanent organ of the University after three years and its operations will be sustained and maintained 1. support the university in achieving its vision under the revenue budget of the university. through providing quality tertiary education 2. function as a central quality assurance cell for General Objective the university and review existing standards and To promote a quality enhancement culture within procedures the university by ensuring that the academic entity 3. develop new standards, policies, systems, adopts and implements Quality Assurance (QA) processes, and procedures by adapting and standards and benchmarked quality criteria. incorporating best practices Specific Objectives of the IQAC 4. systematically monitor and evaluate university 1. Review existing policies and procedures of practices and processes through audit, survey BRACU and other instruments as deemed fit to ensure 2. Assess and strengthen capacity for effective generally acceptable standards of quality governance, teaching-learning, research and Organogram of IQAC, BRACU community services

3. Institutionalize quality assurance systems Quality Assurance Vice Chancellor Committee (QAC) within the university Prof. Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. [Advisory Body] 4. Prepare the university to meet the external quality assurance assessment and Director accreditation requirements [Prof. Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph. D.) Additional Director 5. Monitor and evaluate self-assessment (SA)

practices and processes through audit, survey Office Manager Accounts Officer Communications Officer and other instruments; and [Mr. Shafik Waes] [Mr. Md. Nazmul Hasan] [Mr. Md Mahi Uddin] 6. Co-ordinate all QA related activities at the Office Assistant national level; and liaise with UGC and other [Mr. Md. Abdul Malek] external QA agencies. 126 | Annual Report 2016

Workshops/Training Programmes this event. Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D., IQAC organized some important workshops and Director, IQAC, BRACU delivered his introductory training programmes to implement its broad speech at the beginning of the programme. Dr. objectives in 2016 Aunul Islam, Ph.D., DIC, Quality Assurance Specialist from the UK was present as speaker. He Training on Self-Assessment (SA) Held at discussed and shared how non-academic staff can BRACU contribute to the quality assurance process in A training on Self-Assessment (SA) was held on 14 innovative ways. Major General (Retired) January 2016 at GDLN Conference Room, BRACU. Muhammad Sahool Afzal, Registrar, BRACU, Dr. IQAC organized this event. Professor Md. Tafazzal Shahidur Rahman, Additional Director of IQAC, Hussain, Ph.D., Director of IQAC, BRACU delivered BRACU and a total of 60 administrative staff of his introductory speech at the beginning of the BRACU participated the workshop. The workshop programme. Professor M Abul Kashem, Ph.D, was ended with a participatory questions-answer Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist, Quality session. Assurance Unit (QAU), UGC, discussed on SA concepts and techniques. Dr. A.B.M. Rahmatullah, Workshop on Quality Assurance, Institutional Additional Director, IQAC, American International Review, Assessment Process and Accreditation University- Bangladesh, talked on priority areas Standards: Role of Teaching Faculty and standard-wise documentations to prepare SA A Workshop on Quality Assurance, Institutional report. A total of 24 members of Self-Assessment Review, Assessment Process and Accreditation Committee (SAC) of different programmes/entities Standards: Role of Teaching Faculty was held on 10 attended the training programme. Dr. Shahidur March 2016 at BRACU auditorium. IQAC of BRACU Rahman, Additional Director, IQAC, BRACU and (BRACU) organized this event. Professor Md. other officials of IQAC, BRACU were also present at Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D. Director, IQAC, BRACU, the training session. delivered his welcome address at the beginning of the program. Town Hall Meeting for the Administrative Employees Dr. M. H. Rahman, Quality Assurance Specialist A Town Hall Meeting for the Administrative from Canada was present as keynote speaker. He Employees was arranged by the Human Resources discussed on 'Building Quality Education: Department (HRD) on 15 February 2016. This event Institutional Standards' in the first session and on was facilitated by IQAC, BRACU. The purpose of 'Building Quality Education: Program Standards' in the meeting was not only to share feedbacks the second session of the workshop. Members of obtained from opinion survey done at the end of Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), SAC, 2015 by HRD for administrative employees where Chairpersons/ Heads and representatives of they were asked to rate their job satisfaction level faculty from Institutes/Schools/Departments of and to give some recommendations regarding the BRACU attended the workshop. Both the sessions changes that they perceive as important at BRACU were concluded with two different technical but also to hear their concerns that are above and sessions on question and answer. Dr. Shahidur beyond the survey. The interactive session ended Rahman, Additional Director also with other with the inspiring speech by Dr. Farhat M. officials of IQAC, BRACU were also present at the Iftekharuddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (current workshop. charge). Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D. Workshop on A LOOK AT THE DIGITAL FUTURE Director, IQAC Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Additional A workshop on 'A Look at the Digital Future' was Director, IQAC were also present. held on 31 March 2016 at GDLN Conference Room. Workshop on Quality Assurance in Tertiary IQAC of BRACU (BRACU) organized this event. Education: Administrative Challenges & Role of Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D. Director of non-teaching Staff. IQAC, BRACU, delivered his welcome speech at A Workshop on Quality Assurance in Tertiary the beginning of the program. Education: Administrative Challenges & Role of Mr. Ariful Bashar, Director, Strategy and Innovation Non-teaching Staff was held on 23 February 2016 of Red Rocket Ltd., was the keynote speaker. at BRACU auditorium. IQAC of BRACU organized During the presentation, Mr. Bashar focused on the Annual Report 2016 | 127 basics of digital marketing and shared his August 2016, at GDLN Conference Room, BRACU. experiences as a pioneer in the digital and social IQAC of BRACU organized this programme. media business platform. He also shared some Professor Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Ph.D., Director, innovative videos which encouraged the audiences IQAC, BRACU, delivered welcome address at the specially the students to get them involved in the training workshop. Digital Marketing areas with their innovative ideas. Professor M Abul Kashem, Ph.D. and Professor Faculty members, students and administrative staff Sanjoy Kumar Adhikary, Ph.D., QA Specialists at participated in the workshop. Major General QAU, UGC were present as the facilitators at the (Retired) Muhammad Sahool Afzal, Registrar, training workshop. Professor Kashem, BRACU, BRACU, Professor Firdous Azim, Ph.D., discussed various processes of the data Chairperson, ENH, BRACU, Mr. N I M Alamgir, management in the first session, and Professor Head IT, BRACU, Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Additional Adhikary gave a presentation on the SAR writing Director of IQAC, BRACU, were also present at the procedure in the second session. A total of 34 workshop. The workshop sought feedback from participants including members of Self- the participants and concluded with an interactive Assessment Committee (SAC), administrative staff, question-answer session. and IQAC officials, were present at the workshop. Training Workshop on Data Management & Self- The programme was concluded with two different Assessment Report Writing technical sessions of question and answer. This A training workshop on Data Management & Self- was a very useful training workshop on Self- Assessment Report (SAR) Writing was held on 23 Assessment Report (SAR) Writing.

Major Events

Workshop on Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Town Hall Meeting for the Administrative Employees Administrative Challenges & Role of non-teaching Staff

Workshop on Quality Assurance, Institutional Review, Assessment Process and Accreditation Standards Role of Teaching Faculty 128 | Annual Report 2016

Medical Centre

BRACU medical centre provides medical service · At the medical centre, blood sugar test of 133 to its students, faculty and staff. The centre is people and blood grouping of 35 people were well-equipped to provide necessary emergency performed. medical service, advice and referral service to the · The medical team designed and posted various university community. Both the medical centres, awareness posters pertaining to health issues one in the main campus at Mohakhali and the and subsequent preventive measures, such as other at the Residential Campus at Savar, have a Asthma, Anti-Smoking, Zika Virus, dengue fever medical team consisting of qualified and and seasonal diseases. professional doctors and nurses. · Health check-up of around 3200 students was The year 2016 was a busy year for the medical done by the team. Among them, 1900 were team. The major activities of 2016 are listed newly admitted students while 1300 students below: were from residential semester. · A total of 7463 patients visited the medical · Two blood donation programmes were centre, of which 3141 were at BRACU main organised at the main campus and another one campus and 4322 were at Savar Campus. at the midwifery programme (SPH) in Among them 5195 were students and 2268 collaboration with SHANDHANI of Dhaka were faculty members and staff. All were given Medical college and OCSAR. adequate advice and prescription after their clinical evaluation. · To ensure safe drinking water, water sample was collected and tested at MNS department and · Out of the most frequently occurring cases, icddr, b for a total of 25 times in 2016. Samples 1194 were trauma and burn injuries. Other were collected from six buildings of BRACU, cases were Respiratory Tract Infections (793), hostels, BIGD and Savar campus. common cold and viral fever (729), bronchial asthma (205), GIT problems (1035), skin · As a community service, the medical team diseases (362), eye and ear problems (130), attended to about 350 patients among the dental problems (99), hypertension (115), family members of BRACU staff and faculty. gynecological problems (202) and other · Medical team visited BRACU female symptoms (2599). accommodation (every week) and BRACU · About 12 students were sent to the lab to be cafeteria (every working day) to ensure the diagnosed for drug addiction. healthy environment and food hygiene. · The medical team vaccinated 43 high risk · Medical team collected blood samples for blood people for Typhoid, Cervical Cancer, Tetanus test in BRACU lab of MNS Department and and Hepatitis-B. Pharmacy Department. Annual Report 2016 | 129

Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations, Office of Co-curricular Activities and Office of Student Affairs

Office of Career Services and Alumni Professional Skills Development Program Relations (PSDP) Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations PSDP, a flagship 13 week modular course, is a (OCSAR), BRACU started its journey in 2001 with unique, intensive course dedicated to preparing the aim to help students in their professional final year students for the corporate world. The development. curriculum of the new PSDP goes beyond CV writing skills, job search skills and interview skills. It Since its inception, OCSAR is poised to also provides essential guidance to the students on consolidate and expand its range of services for issues such as self-assessment, career students by ensuring their optimal preparedness exploration, the job search process, and further for the professional world and induction as active education. members of a revamped alumni association through a democratically mandated body. In 2016 time a number of PSDP classes were conducted by experienced personnel from The OCSAR has a director, four full-time staff, different economic sectors in order to provide working to develop the leading career service office students with the real vibes of corporate world. in the country, one which compares favorably with the best career services globally. The interactive sessions with the students were not only effective but, has also helped students gather The Core Programmes of the OCSAR knowledge on corporate trends and required The core programmes are; career counseling, CV leadership attributes in future career progression. writing, interview skills; Professional Skills Stronger links with different industries help Development Program (PSDP); on-campus students prepare for the world of work. On the other recruitment sessions; individual advising; hand, corporate organisations get an idea of workshops and seminars; networking session; BRACU students' perceptions and expectations internships; full time and part-time job placements; from the different economic sectors. and alumni relations. Representatives from Citibank NA, Unilever Apart from dealing with these core issues, OCSAR Bangladesh, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre is engaged with a range of related strategic (BYLC), Square Group, Chevron, Augmedix, activities that are important for both graduating Grameenphone Limited, GlaxoSmithKline BD students and the university as a whole. Limited, VSO Bangladesh and Accenture, some of whom are alumni of BRACU, conducted PSDP 130 | Annual Report 2016 sessions on various career related issues as guest ! 300 job opportunities were circulated by speakers in the PSDP sessions. OCSAR and 4678 CV's were submitted to companies ( one candidate has applied to Individual Advising multiple companies) To facilitate students with maximum assistance ! regarding career choices, job search and academic Job placement of 500 graduates of the 10th counseling, OCSAR offers individual advising & 11th Convocation in MNC's and local session to the final year students. The purpose of companies was achieved individual advising is to help students explore their In 2016, OCSAR introduced a dedicated web portal strengths, interests, weakness and other (http://ocsar.bracu.ac.bd/) for BRACU graduates to transferable skills alongside assistance regarding provide internship and job related services to career and academics choices. The advisors guide efficiently serve the students seeking employment. students to choose suitable career paths. The This web portal also keeps track of both current and advisors are always open to assist students as well alumni in various industries and contacts of as encourage and motivate them in all that they employers recruiting from BRACU. pursue professionally and personally when required. Sector wise job placement 2016

Internship Agro business 1% Security/Support Services 1% Architecture 2% RMG 2% Asset/land Developing 1% In the year 2016, OCSAR arranged internships for Research/Consultancy/Training 6% 397 BBA students and 137 MBA students. Additional Others 3%

25 students from EEE, 26 from ENH, 14 from CSE, 5 Bank/Non-Bank Fin. Data Entry/ Institution 12% from ESS, 2 from MNS were placed in a variety of Operator/BPO 0% MNC/FMCG/Group Development organizations according to their preferred choice of of Companies 11% Sector 6% Medical/ industry such as banking, telecommunication, Pharmaceutical 3% Media/Advertisement/ pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, advertising and Event Mgt. 4% Education 18% event management, E-commerce and other areas. Manufacturing 4%

Law/Legal 3% The following chart shows the sector-wise IT/Telecommunication/ E-Commerce 13% Internship Placement (Spring 2016- Fall 2016): Engineer/Construction/ Government & Power Industry 1% Embassy 9% Freight Forwarding/Shipping/ Hospitality & Tourism/ Transportation 1% Sector wise internship placement 2016 Airtines 1% Gas/Petroieum 0% Telecommunication 10% RMG 2% Pharmaceuticals 1% Others 2% BRACU Alumni Network Non-Banking Banking 23% OCSAR is also responsible for maintaining the Financial 8% growth of BRACU alumni network. The service it has to offer is open to all alumni. OCSAR aspires to MNC 6% widen the alumni network by keeping in touch with

Development 4% Media & its graduates employed in all types of corporate Advertising 6% and public sectors. Also, OCSAR updated the

Manufacturing 4% E-Commerce 8% alumni database by calling over phone all past

IT & Technology 8% graduates over a period of 4 months. FMCG 8% HR & Consultancy 2% Group of Alumni Association of BRACU (AABRACU) held its Hospitality & Tourism 2% Companies 6% annual Iftaar mahfil on 11 June 2016 at BRACU campus and as a part of its community Job Placements engagement. The association has launched its new OCSAR connects employers with the students and website [http://www.aabracu.net/] which is vice versa through various job placements. It works believed to be one of the best alumni websites of with more than hundred companies from different the country. Professor Rahim B Talukdar, Advisor, sectors including multinational corporations (MNCs), BBS, Ivan Shafaat Bari, Director, OCSAR & Student telecommunications, banks, IT, hospitality and other Affairs and Md. Tajdin Hassan, President, areas. Over the years, OCSAR has catered to AABRACU inaugurated the website. This website strengthen linkage with different organizations from will bridge between job seekers and employers of different industry and provided them with suitable this network as well as disseminate alumni candidates for the relevant positions. information to keep the alumni members up-to- The following chart shows the sector-wise job date. placement of the year 2016: Annual Report 2016 | 131

In order to assess the members of its alumni, of BRACU Savar Residential Campus on 23 OCSAR maintains an internal database of January 2016. The purpose of the event was to graduates including information of their show acknowledgement to the women who are organization of employment and their designation, working in our society. which are updated at regular intervals. Mr. Ivan Shafaat Bari, Director, OCSAR, opened the Besides, successful and skilled BRACU alumni are session with his introductory speech. The keynote invited by OCSAR to conduct sessions of the speech at this event was given by Mr. Sabirul Islam Professional Skills Development Program (PSDP) Founder, Inspire 1 Million People, and Brand on a regular basis. This also opens an avenue for Ambassador of Everjobs Bangladesh. current students to build strong set of connections within the BRACU alumni network. OCSAR also Along with him, there were other distinguished facilitates the “Marvels” an open focus group guest speakers including Ms. Zinat Sanu Swagata, discussion sessions each semester in actor, musician, Director, social worker, Mr. Naveed collaboration with BizBee, one of the Business Mahbub, Electrical Engineer, Ford, Qualcomm, clubs of BRACU. In this session BRACU graduates, Kyocera Wireless, Takata, Ms. Rubaba Dowla, who are already established in different sectors, Chief Service Officer and Head of m-commerce, groom the students exclusively within small Airtel Bangladesh Limited, Ms. Shompa Reza, groups. Furthermore, AABRACU is also publishing model and actress, founder of the schools Anando different columns focusing on the recent trends of Niketan and Rodela Chottor and Cartoonist job market in the BRACU monthly newspaper, the Tanmoy, Assistant Editor & Cartoonist at 'Unmad' – BRACU Express, in cooperation with OCSAR. the monthly satire magazine, and Ms. AABRACU is regularly using the office space Nazmunnahar Laizu, Dorm Supervisor, BRACU allocated to them and conducting by-weekly Residential Campus. meeting of the Executive Body Members at OCSAR. PDF Winter Boot Camp 2016 One of the major accomplishment of AABRACU is OCSAR represented BRACU at the PDF Winter when it organized the first ever Alumni Fest without Boot Camp 2016 held at Sheikh Hasina National monetary contribution from BRACU on; 18 March Youth Center, Savar from 29-30 January 2016. 2016, where five alumni were acknowledged for their excellence in different areas. The program was also On day one, Ms. Shanzida Shahab Uddin, Career attended by industry leaders. AABRACU has also Services Executive, OCSAR, conducted a session organized “The Alumni Gala” on 10 December 2016 on CV & Cover Letter Writing. She discussed about in Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation for the how to present educational and professional th degree awarded graduates of the 11 Convocation. history in front of prospective employers through Md. Tajdin Hassan, president of AABRACU spoke of CV. the importance of having a united alumni community which was further consolidated through General On day two, Mr. Ivan Shafaat Bari, Director OCSAR, Secretary Niaz Makhdum's sharing of his time as a discussed present job market scenario in student and what it meant to have a strong network. Bangladesh with the participants. The event's objective was to celebrate the He explained employers' attitude, what they achievements of the new alumni and serve as a expect from graduates and their perceptions of platform for all alumni to engage and build stronger the employability skills of new graduates. He networks. urged the participants to develop a range of skills OCSAR is also working with the Planning and attributes that include team work, Commission of the Bangladesh Government to communication, leadership, critical thinking, develop the National CSR framework. It is worth problem solving and office managerial abilities mentioning that OCSAR, BRACU is the only since employers expect graduates to University representative in the country working on demonstrate those skills on the job. this project with the Government of Bangladesh along with renowned Bangladeshi industry BRAC Onnesha representatives. OCSAR provided support to CSE department to get approval from Bangladesh Telecommunication Major highlights of 2016 Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for frequency A session on “Women at Work” at Savar Campus allocation and radio receiver equipment clearance OCSAR, in association with Everjobs.com, to receive signal from BRAC Onnesha once it is at conducted an inspirational session at the premises . 132 | Annual Report 2016

Office of Co-curricular Activities Office of Co-Curricular Activities (OCA) provides BRACU Chess Club (BUCHC) encouragement and full support in the participation Trainers from the club went to BRAC schools to of students in a wide range of activities that teach chess to the underprivileged students. As a promotes leadership, life skills, and personal start, the two schools were selected that are development while enhancing campus life. OCA situated in Korail Bosti and Shaat Tola Bosti. collaborates with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community to make the co curricular arena a BRACU Communications and Language Club vibrant one. (BUCLC) They offer a special free course for developing 251 events were organized by 24 clubs and OCA in English communication skills for children from the year 2016. underprivileged families. For the first time since the inception of BRACU, BRACU Computer Club (BUCC) OCA organized open election for 13 clubs in the year 2016. They are: BUFC, FCBU, BUAC, BUCuC, They have developed a website for Bangladesh BUDTF, Monon, BUDC, BUEC, BUPH, BUEDF, Business Disability Network [http://bbdn.com.bd/]. BUBEF, BIZBEE and BUMA. BRACU Law Society (BULS) They provide free human rights knowledge to Student Engagement in BRACU Club Elections - 2016 people living in the slums all around Dhaka city. BUCuC BUDTF BUPS BUECBUDC BUFC BUAC FCBU BUMA MONON BIZBEE EDF BEF 1000 BRACU Marketing Association (BUMA) 880 They organize Marvels, a signature event that 710 680 636 650 creates a bridge between current students of 541 520 473 443 BRACU and Alumni of BRACU. Here, established 419 Alumni's are invited to inspire the current students. 280 280 BRACU Pharma Society (BUPS) They distributed reliefs among the flood victims. BUCuC BUDTF BUPS BUECBUDC BUFC BUAC FCBU BUMA MONON BIZBEE EDF BEF They organized an event, Winter Clothes Distribution: “WINTER DIMPLE” on 30 January Film Club Election 2016. On 28 January 2016, BRACU witnessed the first BRACU Monon ever election to select the governing body of BRACU Film Club (BUFC), one of the largest clubs They arrange blood donation camps every of the university. semester in association with Quantum Foundation. They also raised funds and contributed for the Launch of BRACU Express treatment of Bayezid, a deformed child admitted at BRACU Express, BRACU's official campus DMCH. newspaper inaugural publication, took place on 27 Business and Economics Forum (BUBEF) September 2016. They organize the “Meet The Leaders” programme Sports facility for BRACU students where top managements from different leading In December 2016, BRACU made arrangements for business organizations (DBBL, Young Consultants, Cricket net practice and Futsal facility at Niketon in etc) come to share key practical insights about the the unused warehouse of Aarong with their kind contemporary business world with the student approval. community. Social Impact of BRACU Student Clubs BRACU Debate Club (BUDC) Football Club BRACU (FCBU) BUDC is one of the top achieving clubs of BRACU winning the nationals of UIU British Parliamentary They organize a football camp once every semester debating championship in November 2016. with special children. BRACU Earth and Environment Forum (BUEEF) Cricket BRACU (CBU) They arranged campus cleaning program and Arranges cricket camp for the under privileged organized multiple seminars on River Pollution and children once every semester. Climate Change and have sold trees for the Sir Annual Report 2016 | 133

Abed Foundation on the occasion of his Birthday Seminar on Nano Technology celebration. A Seminar on Nanotechnology took place on 17 International Association of Business February 2016 at the GDLN centre of BRACU Communicators (IABC) | BRACU conducted by a brilliant Alumni of BRACU Mr. Sabbir Ahmed Khan, who is now currently affiliated They organized BUGMUN (BRACU Global Model with Lund University. United Nations) which is the only International MUN in Bangladesh and the biggest one with highest Social Business InnoVision Seminar by number of committees. UNESCO Club BRACU Drama and Theater Forum (BUDTF) To formulate the idea of making the youth more responsive on the way to social business, UNESCO ! Anti-Drugs Drama Competition by the Ministry Club hosted a workshop on Social Business of Home Affairs InnoVision which was initiated by SBYA Global on ! Theater Visit every week (Fridays) Shilpakala, 17 February 2016 at the Indoor Auditorium. Charukola, Jahangir Nogor Seminar on Climate Change BRACU Cultural Club (BUCuC) BUEEF arranged a seminar on Climate Change in ! SAUFEST Participation Dhaka which was held on 9 February 2016, at ! Jukebox: Fund raising concert for the under BRACU. Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat, Water Resource and Climate Change Specialist, Mr. Asif privileged Zaman, Environmental Engineer and Mr. Quamrul ! Inter University Cultural Fest organizer Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of the Forum of Robotics Club at BRACU Environment Journalist were the speakers at the event. ! International Competition (NASA) ! ROBU Fest-2016 Diversified Art Exhibition by Art Society Art society of BRACU organized an exclusive art ! BRAC Onnesha first ever NANO Satellite by exhibition that took place on 7 February 2016. The Universities in Bangladesh exhibition was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Rahim Art and Photography Society (BUAP) B. Talukdar, Advisor, BBS, Professor Ferdous Azim, They won the Championship title of the National Chairperson, ENH, Mr. Ivan Shafaat Bari, Director, 'Alpona (Avjcbv)' Competition organized by Berger OCSAR and Mr. Mehedi Haque, renowned cartoonist at “UNMAD”. The exhibition showed Paints Bangladesh Limited “Tomar Ronge Rangao students' eagerness to work with pencils and Campus “(†Zvgvi i‡O ivOvI K¨v¤úvm)” on the eve of brushes. “Pohela Boishakh 1423 (c‡njv ˆekvL 1423)”. Blood Donation Campaign Major club events of 2016 OCA and Medical Center in association with BRACU Celebrated the 80th Birthday of Sir Shandhani Bangladesh arranged a blood donation Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG campaign on 14 March 2016. Students and BRACU celebrated the 80th birthday of Sir Fazle employees of BRACU also participated at the event Hasan Abed, KCMG, Founder & Chairperson, by donating blood. BRAC and Chairperson, Board of Trustees (BoT), Public Speaking Competition BRACU. Vice Chancellor of BRACU Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. and a team of teachers and BUCLC hosted a Public Speaking Competition among the undergraduate students on 21 March students greeted Sir Abed with flower bouquet, 2016. Mr. Solaiman Shukhon, Head of Business, fruits and a greeting card. BRACU students handed WE phone, aamra smart solutions, graced the over to Sir Abed sketches of him done by them. occasion as the Chief Guest. INFLUX: Spring 2016 Seminar on “Leadership Aspects of the Influx: Spring 2016 is the second round of the Corporate World members' selection procedure of IABC| BRACU. It BRAC Business School in collaboration with is held every semester and the club conducts Bangladesh Supply Chain Council (BSCC) and interview session in which applicants are tested in Entrepreneurship Development Forum organized a terms of their aptitude, creativity, interactive skills, seminar on “Leadership Aspect of the Corporate stage presence and general knowledge. World”, on 8 March 2016. 134 | Annual Report 2016

Intensive Comedy Unit (I.C.U) BRACU MONON team from BRACU, the Green team managed to get Club a victory over the BUET Chess team and was the Intensive Comedy Unit (I.C.U), the biggest event of top university team in the tournament. BRACU MONON with various stand-up comedians BRACU Celebrates a Vibrant Victory Day is organized every semester. On 15 December 2016, BRACU Art Society, ROBU Fest 2016 BRACU organized an Alpona competition on the BRACU Robotics Club (ROBU) arranged an intra university premises, called “Bijoyer Rong Alpona University ROBU Fest on 29 March 2016. Protijogita”. BRACU Football League (BUFL) BRACU Premiere League-2016 On 30 July 2016 the biggest sporting event of The sixth edition of BUPL 2016 was held in BRACU, BRACU Football League was organized. Shamoly club field from 5-25 November 2016.12 The event was powered by Ahmed Group, and teams of different clubs participated in the partnered by Madchef, The Daily Star and Somoy tournament. News. Hult Prize 2016 Club Fair - Club De Carnaval Fall-2016 OCA provided logistic support to BBS in organizing Club Fair Fall 2016 was organized by BUFC titled the Hult Prize @ BRACU 2016. The idea that won 'Club De Carnaval'. This event took place from the the seed capital of 1 lac taka by the City Bank is 25-27 September 2016. The title sponsor for this providing low cost biodegradable sanitary napkins three daylong event was MGH Group and Rancon for sanitation and sustainable income for the Motors associated as the corporate sponsor along refugees. with Nandos, Peyala, Star Cineplex, Wedding BUGMUN 16 Diary, Radio Foorti, Banglalion as partners. Shomoy television and StudentBD24 covered this BUGMUN 2016, the grandest residential MUN event as media partners. experience being held at BRACU's Savar Campus, took place on 15-20 December 2016. BUAC organized Adventure Tourism Fair: Thrill Exhibit Footballers for Humanity: A Day with the Special BUAC organized their extra ordinary event titled Children “Thrill Exhibit”; a two day-long Tourism Fair from 2- On 10 November 2016, Football Club of BRACU 3 October 2016 with 12 renowned travel agencies undertook an initiative to help spread happiness of Bangladesh as stall participants offering various among the children with special needs of this society. corporate trips in home and abroad. They visited the Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (Bangladesh Disabled Foundation) and spent time BRACU Chess Tournament with the gifted children there. BUCHC organized a chess tournament on 25 October 2016 which was open to all BRACU BRACU Intervarsity Debating Championship 16 students & faculty members. Niaz Murshed, BUDC organized an Intervarsity Debating subcontinent's first Grandmaster inaugurated the Championship where 11 private and public event. Ejaz Hussain, an MA in TESOL student, universities participated in a 3-day-long event. clinched the championship of the tournament. World Universities Debating Championship Shams Ud Duha, Lecturer of BIL, became champion among the faculty members. Dr. Sayeedur Rahman, Asif Hasan from BUDC participated in the World Academic Coordinator of MA in TESOL program, Universities Debating Championship 2016-17, earned the second position and Professor Syed which took place in HAGUE, Netherlands. rd Saad Andaleeb finished with the 3 position. IIT Techfest BUCHC Participated in International Rating Asia's prestigious Sci-tech festival Techfest was Chess Tournament held in IIT Bombay, India. This year a team of young BUCHC participated in 1st Advocate Enayet Peer tech enthusiasts from BRACU's Robotics Club Khan Memorial International Rating Chess showcased their innovations in the exhibition. Tournament held in Barisal City from 26-31 Saraswati Puja Celebration December 2016. Indoor Games Club, in collaboration with OCA, Into the National League organized the Saraswati Puja this year in the Two teams from BRACU participated in the BRACU auditorium. National Chess League 2016. As the strongest Annual Report 2016 | 135

Office of Student Affairs The learning experience at BRACU extends Major Events of FYAT in 2016 beyond classrooms, lecture halls and textbooks. Briefing for FYAT Advisers and Mentors The university experience and life unfold in campus As an integral part of FYAT, each semester the activities, club events, field tours, the residential faculty advisers and peer student mentors take part campus, community service, internships, and in a “Briefing Session” at the UB-1 Auditorium career planning. The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) where they are introduced to the objectives and offers several services that support student activities to be undertaken throughout the next two learning and development, such as the first-year semesters. Director of OSA inaugurates the advising teams, academic and learning workshops session. The FYAT team gives detailed and targeted services for at-risk and probation explanations on the developmental advising students. The mission of OSA is to enhance the procedures and the schedules to the advisers and teaching, learning and mentoring of students and mentors and responds to the queries from the to promote a culture of collegiality, creativity and participants regarding the programme. The briefing leadership in the university and community. sessions for Spring 2016, Summer 2016, and Fall First Year Advising Team (FYAT) 2016 semesters were held on 21 December 2015; Mission of FYAT 24 April 2016 and 18 August 2016 respectively. Total 93 faculty member and 93 senior students, The central mission of FYAT is to provide an representing every department, were involved with integrated programme of academic advising that the first year advising programme in 2016. seeks to inform and support new students, monitor academic performance and needs, and guide Meeting with Parents at Freshman Orientation academic planning during the first year. The FYAT As a part of the Freshman Orientation programme, advisers and mentors will focus exclusively in those each semester OSA arranges an interactive areas of university education and student life that session for parents and guardians of the freshman concern all students at the university. In other students. During the session, the Director of OSA words, FYAT will design and deliver student- introduces the student services and campus centered services in those areas of academic resources that support student learning and curriculum and co-curricular activities that are development at BRACU. Programmes offered by critical to the learning and personal growth of all OSA, such as FYAT, PASS and Tutorials, are briefed students, but often falls outside the purview of to the parents. Also, representatives of various individual departments. The First Year Advisers academic and non academic departments provide thus seek to complement the existing structure of detailed overviews of their respective programmes departmental advising and registration by and services for students. In 2016, Freshman providing guidance in general areas of academic Parents' Orientation programme was held on 03 and campus life at BRACU. January, 02 May and 30 August 2016 for Spring, Goals Summer and Fall semesters, respectively. The specific objectives of the FYAT programme are FYAT-Day and Individual Advising as follows: The FYAT Day is held as a part of the Freshman ! foster common first year experience for all new Orientation programme at the beginning of each students semester. Held on the second day of orientation, the ! provide a welcoming and supportive FYAT Day provides an opportunity for all new environment for fresher students to meet and interact with the Faculty ! inform students about university requirements Advisers, Student Mentors and other new students in and campus resources small group settings. The day-long event includes ! facilitate the transition to academic and student group sessions with FYAT members, student life at BRACU presentations on the academic requirements and ! provide individual points of contact for all new student services at BRACU and an informal cultural students session conducted by existing students and new ! monitor academic performance in first-year students from FYAT. OSA organized the FYAT Day for courses Spring 2016 semester on 04 January, Summer 2016 semester on 03 May and for Fall 2016 semester on 31 ! assess student learning needs and other issues August, respectively. that impact performance ! advise students about planning and personal Total 922 students were part of FYAT in Spring 2016 goal-setting for academic success at BRACU followed by 676 students in Summer 2016 and 341 136 | Annual Report 2016 students in Fall 2016. Students took part in one to the lack of proper study habits, lack of seriousness, one advising sessions during their first semester having difficulties with particular subjects, personal and were advised and referred according to their issues, exam anxiety and etc. Objectives of the individual need. In the second semester, advisers workshops are: and mentors followed up with the students, ! to assist the student to realize the reasons especially the ones who are in academic probation. behind their probation status and to make sure Probation Advising & Student Support (PASS) they avoid these reasons in future academic Programme journey ! Objectives of the PASS Programme to improve the basic study skills of the students for better academic performance ! to help the students come out of probation ! to prepare the students to set realistic target for ! to assist students on probation to identify the their exams and study techniques for the exams academic challenges for poor performance and assist them with proper solution ! to aid the students to evaluate their own performance on the basis of their exam marks ! to retain the number of students by decreasing and to plan proper action for remedy the dropout rate caused by probation through probation removal programme Achievements of PASS Programme in 2016 ! to provide a point of contact for the probation 1. Probation Removal and Student Retention students Support in Spring 2016 ! to motivate the probation students and aid them A total of 60 last chance probation students and with proper campus resources 118 first time probation students were included in ! to foster developmental academic advising for the PASS programme for Spring 2016. First time the probation students probation students were jointly cared for by their ! to improve the retention of at-risk students at respective departments and probation advisers at BRACU OSA. ! to develop the overall student quality in terms of Out of the 60 last-chance probation students, academic result results of 49 students were found at the end of Spring 2016 semester. Out of the 49 students, 26 Major Activities of PASS (53.06%) successfully came out of probation. The major activities of PASS programmes are individual and/or group advising, series of PASS 2. Probation Removal and Student Retention workshops and tutorials for specific 100 level Support in Summer 2016 courses. For the last-chance probation students it In Summer 2016, a total of 387 students were is mandatory to take part in the individual probation included in the PASS programme. Out of these 387 advising at least two times; one before and another students, 359 were in probation for the first-time after mid-term exam. Duration of each individual and 28 were considered for the last-chance to advising session is 30-40 minutes. In case of first continue their study. First time probation students time probation students they have to meet with were jointly cared for by their respective their departmental probation adviser for individual departments and probation advisers at OSA. advising. The students are also advised in groups/individual by probation adviser at OSA Out of 28 last chance probation students, at the before and after mid-term exam. Duration of the end of Summer 2016 semester, results of 24 group advising is 50-60 minutes. students were found. 17 (70.83%) out of 24 students successfully came out of probation. After the mid-term exam, the office of student Moreover, in case of the first-time probation affairs collects the result of students and finds out students 67.46% survived from being into the students who are at risk. Students are then academic probation for two consecutive advised to register their names for academic semesters. success workshops (ASW)/PASS workshops, subject tutorials and individual advising. 3. Probation Removal and Student Retention Support in Fall 2016 PASS Workshops In Fall 2016, a total of 344 students were included in PASS workshops are specially designed for probation students of BRACU. As the semester the PASS programme. Out of these 344 students, progresses, the students may realize that they are 99 were considered for the last-chance probation not doing well enough to come out of probation for students to continue their study and the rest of the Annual Report 2016 | 137

245 students were in the first-time probation category. First time probation students were jointly 92 cared for by their respective departments and probation advisers at OSA. For the last-chance probation students OSA had an integrated programme in the form of individual and/or group 58 advising and tutorial supports. 49 Total Student Out of the 99 last-chance probation students, at the 34 end of Fall 2016 semester, results of 92 students CGPA > 2.00 26 28 were found. 58 (63.04%) out of 92 students 23 CGPA < 2.00 successfully came out of probation after attending 17 PASS programme. 11 Tutorials OSA offers and coordinates tutorials offered by the Spring 16 Summer 16 Fall 16 various departments for all BRACU students, especially the freshmen, at-risk students and students on academic probation. Initially the tutorials freshmen and probation students from Summer were offered for students who did not perform well 2016 semester. OSA offer tutorials in selected during the Mid-term examinations in specific 100-level courses and also where student failing courses and thus were at risk of failing in the final rate is very high. Along with the faculty members exam. Tutorials operate in conjunction with lectures; from OSA, student tutors, who are senior they usually occur either before or after the class students of BRACU, conduct these tutorial lectures. The tutorials generally last 120 minutes and sessions. During the tutorial sessions, faculty typically in a smaller group than the lectures, with members and tutors give individual attention to classes comprised of 15 to 20 students. students' specific needs and students have the opportunity to engage with the course materials In BRACU departments have their own built-in more directly. In Summer 2016, 84.68% programme where at-risk students are identified students scored 60% and above in their final by their course instructors, and are assigned exam who attended the tutorials regularly for specific times for tutorials. However, after Math 110 course. In Fall 2016, the percentage of analyzing the results of both first year and student was 86.99% who got 60% and above probation students, OSA has introduced after attending the tutorials. tutorials on a pilot scale especially for the 138 | Annual Report 2016

Major Events

BRACU Cultural Club participated in EWU Inter University Cultural Festival 2016 BRACU Adventure Club (BUAC) participates in Dhaka International Half Marathon 2016

Footballers for Humanity: A Day with the Special Children

BRACU Football league 2016

BRACU Premier League Finalist 2016

BRACU Chess Tournament 2016

“Pitha Utshob” at BRACU

BRACU Students represented Bangladesh in the BORNEO Model United Nations BRACU Adventure Club organized 'Adventure Tourism Fair: Thrill Exhibit'

BRACU Football League 2016 Blood Donation Campaign Annual Report 2016 | 139 Office of Communications

The Office of Communications (OoC) is actively It ensures that BRACU's strategic messages reach involved in being the communication and all stakeholders including prospective employers of information focal point in disseminating all BRACU BRACU graduates, students, parents and related information, events and activities. guardians, potential future students and guardians, alumni, partners in education, business Be it media coverage and documentation, organisations, media, donors and universities promotional material development and evolution of around the world. synergy and rapport, OoC shines the spotlight on the BRACU brand, ensuring that the message gets OoC delves into the depths of BRACU's melting pot home. of students, teachers and staff every day creating comprehensive corporate marketing, OoC also deals with information related to BRACU communications and PR strategies, keeping documents, films, videos and publications and BRACU one step ahead in its league. promotes BRACU's reputation and credentials. Among the myriad of platforms OoC makes use of Besides, OoC plays a part in planning and to keep stakeholders up to date and maintain a top- organising major events at BRACU, formulates notch network are the BRACU website and communications and updates documents Facebook page and other evolving and up-coming periodically. mediums. 140 | Annual Report 2016 Office of Registrar

The Registrar's Office supports the academic STUDENT STATUS mission of the university by providing management Undergraduate 6821 and administrative support and assistance to the academic community. This is achieved in Postgraduate 674 accordance with academic policies and Sub-total in BRACU 7495 procedures established by the Private University Postgraduate in School/Institutes Act 2010, rules and regulations formulated by the JPGSPH (MPH) 35 Ministry of Education, University Grants BIED 105 Commission of Bangladesh, the Board of Trustees, Syndicate and Academic Council. The Registrar's MEd 84 Office plays a key role in the review, development MECD 21 and achievements of the goals and objectives of BIGD 148 the university. MAGD 22 The Office serves as the repository of faculty MDS 92 information and schedules, course enrollments, MDMP 1 course offerings, student records, grades, and degrees conferred. Such records are maintained MPSM 33 using information systems and web-services Total 288 designed to enable students, academic advisers, Total of all postgraduates 962 staff, departments and programmes to conduct Total UG & PG 7783 their professional duties in a decentralised Diploma in Midwifery 402 environment. Total Students 8185 It offers a wide range of academic and ALUMNI 7353 administrative services associated with admissions, records, registration, advising, The Office is divided into three operating offices: graduation services, academic space management and scheduling for students, faculty and staff. It is 1. The Admission Office also responsible for compliance with rules and 2. The Programme and Registration Office regulations, policies and the Student Code of 3. The Transcript and Documentation Office Conduct. Annual Report 2016 | 141

Admission Office calendar. The examination timetables are displayed At the outset of BRACU in 2001, the Admission on notice boards and the BRACU website. The Office initiated its activities for the enrollment of university views academic malpractice seriously students under the guidance of the Registrar's and does not condone plagiarism or cheating in Office. The Office plays a vital role in managing and examinations. A breach of any rule will render a maintaining the university's central admission student liable to disciplinary action which may systems, policies and procedures. It is also result in the student's expulsion from the university. responsible for fulfilling all the requirements related The university has in place standard operating to students' admission procedures. procedures to ensure that examinations are The table below shows an overview of registered conducted professionally and with integrity. Various students for the years 2014-2016: security measures and levels of checks are in place for handling the examinations. The results and award Undergraduate Postgraduate lists are presented to the Academic Council and Year Syndicate for approval and to BoT for confirmation. Male Female Total Male Female Total One of the biggest events supported by the 2014 3173 2143 5316 723 559 1282 Transcript and Documentation Office is the th 2015 3412 2571 5983 674 903 1577 Convocation. In 2016, the 11 Convocation was held in International Convention City Bashundhara 2016 3781 2588 6369 561 482 1043 (Naboratri, Hall-04) Dhaka. A total of 1282 students (813 from undergraduate, 458 from post graduate Programme and Registration Office and 11 from diploma level) were awarded the degrees at the event presided over by Mr. Nurul Islam The Programme and Registration Office is Nahid, MP, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Education, committed to facilitating administrative processes Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for students and faculty members through proper on behalf of Hon'ble President, People's Republic of scheduling, effective student registration and Bangladesh and Chancellor, BRACU. Professor planning academic calendar (Page: 142). Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants The Office is mainly responsible for the supervision Commission of Bangladesh, attended the event as and management of all administrative and the Hon'ble Guest. Ms. Shabana Azmi, actor and operational functions which includes maintaining social activist, attended the convocation as the up-to-date semester course offerings, class and Convocation Speaker. Approximately 5,000 final examination scheduling and invigilation, students, parents, faculty members, administrative managing efficient use of classrooms for courses staff and guests attended the function. and admission tests, providing student-related Undergraduate Programmes 350 information, and assisting the management and 312 other administrative offices on academic matters; 300 ensuring course enrollment and registration 250 through University Student Information System 200 (USIS). In addition, it supports more than 7500 150 students' course registrations each semester. 111 100 55 55 51 51 38 43 33 In 2016, the Programme and Registration Office 50 20 18 14 5 4 3 has handled the registration process of 1323 0 students (740 male and 583 female) who enrolled ARC BBA EEE CS CSE ECE ECO ANT ENH LLB PHY APE MIC BIO PHR for the Residential Semester (RS). Postgraduate Programmes 200 177 Transcript and Documentation Office 180 160 The Transcript and Documentation Office is 140 responsible for managing and maintaining 120 academic records, ensuring the integrity of 100 80 examinations and generating course transcripts 56 and certificates. The office also verifies students' 60 47 47 40 29 28 13 14 19 10 academic records and issues various certificates 20 7 5 3 5 3 and letters pertaining to students' records and 0 academic information. MBA MDS MCA CSE MED MPH MAGD EMBA MECD MDMPMPSM MA ENG MS BIO MA TESOL Examinations are conducted every semester MSCSE/ME MSEEE/MEEEE during the period indicated in the academic Graduating Student-11th BRACU Convocation 2016 142 | Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 | 143 Procurement Department

BRACU Procurement Department is committed to · ensured competition among the suppliers and help achieve BRACU's mission, objectives and solicited participation of all qualified suppliers in goals. The department now has six officials who are the Invitation for Quotation process experienced and hardworking as well as · proposed changes in the current procurement extensively contributing to the smooth operation of policy to better suit the present situation the university's departments, schools and institutes. In the year 2016, they were committed to · complied with the procurement rules and ensuring the procurement and delivery of the right regulation, faced minimal audit exceptions goods and equipment at the right time and the right Table-1: cost. The department knows the importance of an Category-wise purchase (January- 2016 effective and value-driven-team, which is why it December- 2016) believes in building relationships, maintaining professional integrity, and nurturing a cost-saving attitude into their daily work. In addition to that, two of the team members are also providing procurement support to BRAC Construction and BRAC Procurement in order to complete BRACU New Campus Project. In 2016, the total purchase amount was 97.93 million takas, of which, purchase for BRACU amounted to 70,087,826 takas, purchase for James P Grant School of Public Health totalled 24,820,607 takas and purchase for BRAC Institute of Governance and Development was 3,018,339 takas. Some key highlights of 2016 are as follows: · procured goods, equipment and services by ensuring quality, safety, cost effectiveness, and timely delivery 144 | Annual Report 2016

Figure-1: Category-wise purchase (January- 2016 Figure-2: Number of material requisition requests December- 2016) received from different departments, institutes and schools (January- 2016 December- 2016)

Miscellaneous 250 2500 8% Computer, UPS 16% 200 2000 150 1500 Vehicle 14% 100 1000 Stationaries 50 500 Electrical Goods 9% 3% 0 0 Vehicle Repair and Jul-16 Toner and Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16May-16 Jun-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Maintenance 4% Cartridge No. of MR Requests Cumulative MR Requests 8% Printing 7% Our first priority is the timely delivery of quality Lab Accessories 5% Advertisement 11% Office Maintenance 3% goods and materials, while maintaining Educational Equipment 3% Furniture & procurement policies and professional integrity. We Fixture 9% have continued and will continue to deliver excellence in what we do. Annual Report 2016 | 145

Relationship Management Office

The Relationship Management Office (RMO), 6) providing support services to international BRACU, facilitates student development with students. In 2016, 10 international students innovative programmes in which students and enrolled in the undergraduate programmes at emerging scholars are mentored to realize their BRACU potential and assume roles of leadership, 7) students who are reported to have engaged in responsibility and service to the society. The RMO behaviour that violates University Student closely interacts with university management, Conduct Procedures are addressed through the administration, OSA and BRAC Head Office and is student conduct process and encouraged to responsible for the tailored communication and refrain from engaging in such behaviour again presentation of BRACU for certain audiences. Its by means of a combination of educational, responsibilities also include the brand positioning administrative and student conduct of BRACU in the national and international ranking interventions. This year we assisted 14 students of universities. get involved with BRAC's Community Service They continue to be committed to maintain a programmes, which emphasize experiences campus environment that is conducive to the that support students' search for how they will educational mission of the University. RMO also contribute to their communities and our global serves students better by continually improving society freshman orientation. 8) the RMO manages and works closely with The core responsibilities of RMO are: student volunteers. The goal is to connect students who want to volunteer with 1) managing the Central Information Desk opportunities on campus events that develop 2) managing the BRACU Scholarships/Financial students' leadership skills, and help them to Aids programme gain valuable service experience. 3) arranging jobs in BRACU for scholarship In 2016, RMO conducted a survey to evaluate how awardees visitors felt about our services. A total of 153 4) arranging the Freshman Orientation visitors filled up the survey questionnaire. Programmes every semester 5) managing BRACU Female Students' Accommodation where 113 students reside 146 | Annual Report 2016

Relationship Management Office (RMO) visitor's satisfaction survey

Satisfaction on the way of treating Satisfaction on the waiting time Satisfaction on the way of answering

courtesy

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 1 - Not Satisfied and 5 - very Satisfied 1 2 3 4 5

BRACU Scholarships/Financial Aid and despite his excellent grades and Programmes extracurricular performance in secondary school, he would not have been able to study without this The RMO team supports the BRACU Scholarship scholarship. Committee by providing data and information for raising funds for the scholarships, the application Scholarship Expenses process, selection, supervision of the scholarship recipients and donors. In 2016, about seven 30 June 2016 30 June 2015 hundred (700) Bangladeshi and international BDT BDT students of undergraduate and graduate degrees Full Tuition Fee Waiver 36,816,542 19,579,463 were fully or partially supported by 'BRACU Partial Tuition Fee Waiver 45,409,154 99,703,468 Scholarship and Financial Aids' scheme. Full Tuition Fee Waiver The scholarship fund supports the investment of from Ford Scholarship 8,325,905 6,859,490 the advanced education of extremely bright and Endowment Fund economically disadvantaged students. Scholarship from OSF 28,532,972 1,387,000 Md. Rahmat Ullah is studying Scholarship from 4,809,500 268,000 MBA and as a former homeless Porticus person, he “has a dream” to 123,894,073 127,797,421 support refugees and the homeless, especially women and children, when he becomes a Scholarships/Financial Aid 2016: successful professional after graduating from BRACU. He also loves poetry and participates in poetry competitions in his free time. Because his 25.84% Summer-16 family is exceptionally poor, Rahmat has also 38.44% worked the entire time that he has been in school. Spring-16 International Scholarship Recipients Fall-15 35.72% “I extend my sincere heartfelt gratitude for the scholarship awarded to me. Engineering has

been my dream from the age of Merit (37.58%) eight. Having narrowly missed 0.32% 0.00% 0.15% Need (5.94) the government scholarship [in 8.33% Performance (14.70) Uganda], I had no more hopes 9.36% 37.58% BRAC Scholarship (23.62) left for higher education. Thanks to God who restored my hopes 23.62% Siblings (9.36%) Freedom Fighter (8.33%) 5.94% by bringing the BRAC University opportunity to 14.70% me.” Bukenya Henry Spouse (0.32%) BRACU Staff (0.00%) Bukenya is one of four children to a single mother Debater's Blue (0.15%) who is a hairdresser. His siblings are still in school Annual Report 2016 | 147

Highlights from 2016 Activities

BRACU Freshman Orientation Programme, Summer 2016 A real time briefing session on "Women Empowerment" organized with Wedu (Investing in Women Leading the Change)

BRACU Freshman Orientation Program BRAC USA representative meets with students

Parent's briefing session on Freshman Orientation Day BRACU student participates in BRAC's community service programme

Welcoming the new international students Fall 2016

Foreign students celebrate Christmas day A scholarship recipient shares flyers about BRACU scholarship programmes with the mothers of graduating secondary students. 148 | Annual Report 2016

Residential Semester

The Residential Semester (RS) at BRACU is a • analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the unique experience in university education in country Bangladesh. All students are required to attend RS, • identify the social responsibilities of a good usually after the completion of their first semester at citizen of their country and community the main campus. What makes the programme Since its inception in 2003, a total of 11,120 exceptional is that for the first time students live in a students have completed RS. In 2016, a total of communal atmosphere and function as a team. 1,323 students attended RS. During this experience, not only do they take responsibility for their own learning and actions, but Semester Male Female Total also support their peers and, at times, lead teams. Spring 107 193 300 Through interactive classes and planned activities, Summer 312 191 513 they develop the collaborative and leadership skills needed to reach their goals. The curriculum, which Fall 321 199 520 was designed by a group of educational experts, Total 740 593 1, 323 includes English, Bangladesh Studies and Ethics and Culture. These classes help the students Courses and Activities become global citizens, with an awareness of the One of the major focuses of RS is to foster needs of their country, their communities and their integration between academic and experiential fellow students. Consequently, RS students are learning. A range of Experiential Learning Activities expected to achieve the following objectives: (ELA) is offered to the students of RS and under the guidance and supervision of the instructors. The • improve English language skills students take part in group work, presentations, • develop leadership skills and identify the ethical simulations and self-discovery experiences. ELA guidelines and responsibilities of a leader includes Social Learning Lab, Lalbagh and • experience community living and develop the Liberation War Museum visit, BRAC programme skills to live in harmony visit and a number of seminars and workshops that • respect the many forms of diversity are extended units of the academic courses Ethics Annual Report 2016 | 149 and Culture, Bangladesh Studies and English. Economic Development and its Achievement These unique experiences aim to facilitate the and Challenges students in developing problem-solving and As part of the Bangladesh Studies course the critical thinking skills that they can use in the real purpose of this session was to inform students world. about the achievements of Bangladesh since 1971, Moreover, RS provides opportunities for the and to inspire them to think of the progress of the country along with Bangladesh's progress on the students to participate in sports, cultural activities, Millennium Development Goals. Professor Syed M. leadership-building activities and celebration of Hashemi, Former Director of BRAC Development historical events. In 2016, programmes were Institute, facilitated the session. As a follow up to organized at the Savar campus to celebrate this session, groups of students were assigned to International Mother Language Day (Ekushey do an in-depth research study to understand the February) and National Independence Day. The progress of the nation. Topics of the study included students, the faculty members and the health, education, income and employment, administration officers all participated in these day- agriculture, industry, gender and the role of NGOs. long programmes. The student groups then prepared a presentation Every semester, the students of RS participate in based on the information. the following activities: Planning for Your Future Know the Country and Culture, Quiz Competition, In 2016, the "Planning for your Future" session was Debate, Spelling Bee, Creative Writing, added to the usual set of sessions held every Presentation Skills, Script Writing & Film Making, semester. The session was facilitated by Sayed Yoga and Meditation, Drawing and Sketching Taher Ahmed, Director and Consultant, Learning and Development of Enroute Career Development In 2016, eight new activities were introduced in RS: Center. All the RS students keenly participated in Baking, Old Home Visit, Sharing Happiness, Design the session. The main objectives of this session for Change, Dance, Ikebana, Chess, Basics of were to create awareness among students about Robotics and Animated Film Making. Moreover, in the challenges after graduation, change their 2016, students had to read at least one English mindset to think and be positive and start preparing novel during the semester. The books were taken for the next stage of their lives. from the large collection of English works that are Drama on Court Martial available at the Savar campus library. This practice aims to encourage students to develop the habit of As part of Ethics and Culture course, a drama reading English books. named 'Court Martial' was staged by the theatre group 'Theater Art Unit' at BRACU Savar Campus. Seminar and Workshops: The objective of the drama was to make students There are a number of mandatory seminars and realize the idea of class distinction and how it still workshops that are organized for all the students. exists in different forms in the society. The These seminars and workshops are conducted by performance highlighted the fact that truth is not experts in their respective fields and allow students always what we see and hear, it can be more than to listen to and converse with experts who can help that. The drama further portrayed that punishment them gather valuable advice and knowledge from on the basis of law is not necessarily ethical all the the real world. time. It ended with the implied message that we The workshops and seminars that were reprised in should think twice before judging any incident. In 2016 were: "Seminar on Drug Abuse”, "Story of other words, we should seek the truth. BRAC", "Social Emotional Evening: An Evening Seminar on Diversity with a Freedom Fighter", "Economic Development: A session on "Cultural Diversity and Inclusiveness" Its Achievements and Challenges" and "Public was organized at the BRACU Savar campus for the Health Seminar". students of RS in 2016. Mr. Shabbir Ahmed, DGM, Highlights HRM, BRAC and a BRAC official from BRAC Learning Centre conducted the session. The Some new sessions and seminars were introduced objective of the session was to familiarize in 2016, including “Session on Environment, students with the concept of diversity and Development and Governance”, “Session on inclusion and the importance of acquiring Diversity and Inclusion”, “Drama on Court Martial”. 150 | Annual Report 2016 knowledge about these issues and inculcating Memorial, Savar. Mr. Ivan Shafaat Bari, Director, practices that would enable students to establish OCSAR, BRACU, inaugurated the programme. A a nurturing community, where everyone will have total of 60 students participated in the programme an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. to clean up the surroundings of the memorial site. Through this session, students were exposed to Students were divided into five groups, and they the current essential components of global worked at five different locations of the National society that will equip them with the knowledge of Memorial. The main objective of the event was to good practices for everyday life. enhance the spirit of patriotism among the students National Memorial Cleanup Programme and to make them realize the dignity and sacrifices A 'clean-up' activity, initiated during the 2016 made by the people who struggled to bring about semesters, took place at the National Martyrs the independence.

Major Events

RS Cultural Programme Celebrating "Pohela Falgun"

National Memorial Clean-up Programme Annual Report 2016 | 151

Session on "Economic Development and its Challenges" Social Learning Lab (SLL)

Playing Handball Session on "Planning for your Future"

Observing 21st February in Residential Campus RS Drama 2016 152 | Annual Report 2016

Partners in Education

Over the years, BRACU has partnered with the following reputed academic and research institutions around the world to enhance our own educational experience by learning from others.

BRAC Business School (BBS) Asia ! Asian Institute of Management, Manila ! Hanoi School of Public Health, Vietnam ! Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok ! Public Health Foundation of India, India ! Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, USA ! RTI International, India ! University of South Australia ! School of International Health, Nagasaki University, Japan James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) Bangladesh BRAC Institute of Educational Development National (BIED) ! ! BRAC Bank Street College of Education, New York, USA ! icddr,b ! BRAC Education Programme (BEP) ! BRAC University ! Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) ! National Institute of Mental Health ! Committee on Scientific and Technological ! University of Dhaka Cooperation (COMSTECH) International ! Columbia University, New York, USA ! WHO TDR (including universities under the TDR ! Department for International Development (DFID) scheme) ! Directorate of Primary Education (DPE), ! Faculty of Health Sciences, American University Bangladesh of Beirut, Lebanon ! Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands ! Department of Public Health, University of (EKN) Zambia, Zambia ! George Washington University, USA ! Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, ! Institute of Education & Research (IER), Dhaka Indonesia University ! National School of Public Health Universidad de ! LEGO Foundation, Denmark Antioquia, Colombia ! National Curriculum & Textbook Board (NCTB), ! School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Bangladesh Ghana ! Phulki, Bangladesh ! School of Public Health, University of ! Witwatersrand, South Africa National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi North America ! Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands ! Centre for Communication Programme (CCP), ! Teach for Bangladesh Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public ! Health, USA Underprivileged Children's Education Programme (UCEP) ! City University of New York, USA ! Unite for Body Rights Alliance ! Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, ! Harvard University, USA The World Bank, USA ! ! Result for Development Institute, USA Aga Khan Foundation, Canada ! ! School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA Center for British Teacher (CfBT) ! ! The World Bank, USA Portland State University, USA ! University of Massachusetts, USA Europe ! University of Sussex, UK ! Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK ! Open Society Institute, London ! University of Heidelberg, Germany ! Victoria University, Canada ! University of Dundee, UK Annual Report 2016 | 153

! Yale University, USA Department of Architecture (ARC) ! James P. Grant School of Public Health ! University of Manchester ! NUFFIC, Netherlands ! Lancaster University ! School of Law University of Illinois, Chicago ! ! BRAC Agricultural Research and Development EMMA Asia (Erasmus Mundus Mobility with Asia) Centre (BRAC ARDC), Gazipur, Bangladesh ! AGA Khan Cultural Trust ! Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) ! British Council ! International Centre for Diarrhoea Disease ! Loughborough University Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) ! Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and ! University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (DU) Settlements ! Institute for Developing Science and Health Department of Computer Science and Engineering Initiatives (ideSHi) (CSE) ! The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) ! Kyushu Institute of Technology ! Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy ! TechShopBD Commission ( CEA) , Grenoble, France ! EATL ! Bangladesh University of Health Science (BUHS) ! University of Ulsan, Korea ! Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Department of Electrical and Electronic ! Bangladesh Institute of Research and Engineering (EEE) Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and ! Electrical Engineering Department, Frederick Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) Dhaka, Bangladesh University, Cyprus ! BRAC Institute of Governance and Development Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BRAC University, Bangladesh (BIGD) ! Department of Electrical and Electronic ! European Union (EU) Engineering, United International University, ! Canadian International Development Agency Bangladesh (CIDA) ! Department of Electrical and Electronic ! Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering USAID and Technology, (BUET) Bangladesh ! German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) ! School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ! Help Age International Science, National University of Sciences and ! International Centre for Research on Women Technology, Pakistan (ICRW) ! School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, ! School of Public Policy and Management, Korea Nepal Development Institute, Korea ! School of Engineering, Bangkok University, ! Lahore University of Management, Pakistan Thailand ! Master Card Foundation ! Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Malaya, Malaysia ! Ministry of Women and Children's Affair, Bangladesh ! Department of Electronic and Information, Politecnico di Milano, Italy ! Natural Resource Institute, University of Manitoba, Canada ! Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Dortmund University of ! Save the Children, UK (SCUK) Technology, Germany ! Swedish International Development Cooperation ! Department of Electronic and Computer Agency (SIDA) Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland ! United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ! College of Science and Technology, Royal (UNODC) University of Bhutan ! University of Bath, UK ! School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, ! VU University Amsterdam, Netherlands City University London ! Woman in Informal Employment: Globalising and ! Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Organising (WIEGO) lnstitut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia ! Care Bangladesh 154 | Annual Report 2016

! Department of Electronic Engineering, Southeast ! Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) University, China ! Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) Department of English and Humanities (ENH) ! University of Dundee, UK ! Umea University, Sweden ! Institute of Social and Environmental Transition ! Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Consortium (ISET), India ! Christian Commission for Development in Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Bangladesh (CCDB) (MNS) ! Christian Aid ! BRAC ARDC, Gazipur, Bangladesh ! ActionAid ! BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh ! Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) ! CNRS, CEA, Grenoble, France ! International Center for Climate Change and ! icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh Development (ICCCAD), IUB ! University of Dhaka, Bangladesh ! Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), ! BCSIR BUET ! Bangladesh University of Health Science (BUHS) ! International Water Association (IWA) ! idesHi Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) ! BAEC ! Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Centre for Climate Change and Environmental (EDI) Research (C3ER) ! University of Oklahoma, USA ! James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), ! University of Southern Queensland (USQ), BRACU Australia ! BRAC ! Department of State, USA ! Oxfam ! American Centre, Bangladesh ! WaterAid ! C&A Foundation ! Center for Environmental and Geographic ! British Council, Bangladesh Information Services (CEGIS) ! Tufts University, USA Annual Report 2016 | 155

COMMITTEES

Mr. S. N. Kairy

Professor Salehuddin Ahmed, Ph.D.

Mr. Monojit Kumar Ojha, FCA 156 | Annual Report 2016

Faculty Selection Committee The Faculty Selection Committee shall review all applications for faculty appointments, interview the applicants and recommend the appointments of all faculty members.

Chairperson Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor BRAC University

Members

Professor Fuad Hassan Mallick, Ph.D. Mr. Faruq Ahmad Choudhury Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chairman Chairperson, Department of Architecture Delta BRAC Housing BRAC University Member, Board of Trustees & Syndicate BRAC University Professor Anisuzzaman, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Dhaka University Professor Dilara Chowdhury, Ph.D. Member, Board of Trustees & Syndicate Former Professor BRAC University Department of Government and Politics Jahangir Nagar University

Head or Chairperson of the concerned Institute/School/Department One External Member for Concerned Institute/School/Department

Meetings Four meetings of the Faculty Selection Committee took place on 13 April, 19 June, 26 July and 24 October 2016. Annual Report 2016 | 157

Disciplinary Committee The Disciplinary Committee is charged with ensuring student discipline in all fields of university activities; both academic and non-academic. The committee reviews all discipline cases referred to it and recommends appropriate administrative actions against the violators of discipline and reviews broader policy implications of these cases.

Chairperson Mr. Abdul-Muyeed Chowdhury Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Bangladesh Former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh and Former Executive Director, BRAC

Members

Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. Muhammad Sahool Afzal Vice Chancellor Major General (Retired) BRAC University Registrar BRAC University Professor A. A. Ziauddin Ahmad Chairperson Ms. Amina Hasan Abedin Department of Mathematics and Natural Assistant Professor Sciences Department of Electrical and Electronic BRAC University Engineering BRAC University Professor Rahim B. Talukder, Ph.D. Adviser Co-opted member BRAC Business School Ms. Nazmus Sabeka BRAC University Senior Assistant Registrar Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed Office of the Registrar Director BRAC University BRAC Institute of Languages Member Secretary BRAC University Samia Huq, Ph.D. Proctor BRAC University

Meetings Four meetings of the Disciplinary Committee took place on 1 February, 28 April, 23 August and 22 September, 2016. 158 | Annual Report 2016 Auditor's Report Annual Report 2016 | 159 160 | Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 | 161 162 | Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 | 163 List of Acronyms

Abbreviation Elaboration Abbreviation Elaboration AAA Arcasia Awards for Architecture BUCuC BRAC University Cultural Club AABRACU Alumni Association of BRAC University BUDTF BRAC University Drama and Theater Forum AAF Australian Award Fellowship BUEEF BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum ACE Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme BUET Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology ACEID Asian Conference on Education & International BUGMUN BRAC University Global Model United Nations Development BULS BRAC University Law Society ACHR Asian Coalition for Housing Rights BUMA BRAC University Marketing Association ADB Asian Development Bank BUNSC BRAC University Natural Sciences Club ADP Annual Development Programme C3ER Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research AECD Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka CAN Community Architects Network AERE Atomic Energy Research Establishment CDKN Climate and Development Knowledge Network AFIP Armed Forces Institute of Pathology CED Centre for Entrepreneurship Development AIA American Institute of Architects CETL Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning AOGS Asia Oceania Geosciences Society CfPW Center for Psychosocial Wellbeing AoW Academy of Work CGST The Centre for Gender and Social Transformation APUF Asia Pacific Urban Forum CHET Certificate in Higher Education Teaching ARCASIA Architects Regional Council of Asia CIPS Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Arch.KIDS Architecture for Kids CARC Control & Applications Research Centre ASM American Society of Microbiology CoP Community of Practice ASW Academic Skills Workshop CPTU Central Procurement Technical Unit B.Sc.ECE Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Communication CRP Centre of Rehabilitation for the Paralysed Engineering CSE Computer Science and Engineering B.Sc.EEE Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic CV Curriculum Vitae Engineering DALA Developing Aspiration and Livelihood for Adolescents BAS Bangladesh Academy of Sciences DLI Deep Learning Institute BASIS Bangladesh Association of Software and Information DMCC Disaster Management and Climate Change Services DoE Department of Environment BBS BRAC Business School DRFM-B Digital RMG Factory Mapping in Bangladesh BCC Bangladesh Computer Council DSCSC Defence Services Command and Staff College BDITEC Bangladesh IT Engineers Examination Council EATL Ethics Advanced Technology Limited BDOSN Bangladesh Open Source Network ECD Early Childhood Development BEN Bangladesh Environment Network EEE Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEP BRAC Education Program EG Economic Growth BIED BRAC Institute of Educational Development EMG Environmental Management and Governance BIGD BRAC Institute of Governance and Development EMMAsia Erasmus Mundus Mobility with Asia BIL BRAC Institute of Languages ESID Effective States and Inclusive Development BILS Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies ESS Department of Economics & Social Sciences biTS BRAC IT Services Limited FCBU Football Club BRAC University BMS Bangladesh Mathematical Society FES Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung BNH Bangladesh National Herbarium FYAT First Year Advising Team BoT Board of Trustees GAGE Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence BPC Business Plan Competition GDLN Global Development Learning Network BPS Bangladesh Physical Society GoB Government of Bangladesh BRAC-CDM BRAC Centre for Development Management GP Governance and Politics BRACU BRAC University GPMS Government Performance Management System BTRC Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission GS Gender Studies BUAC BRAC University Adventure Club HEQEP Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project BUAP Art and Photography Society HRD Human Resources Department BUBEF Business and Economics Forum IABC International Association of Business Communicators BUCC BRAC University Computer Club IAP Inter Academy Partnership BUCHC BRAC University Chess Club ICAEE International Conference on Advances in Electrical BUCLC BRAC University Communications and Language Club Engineering 164 | Annual Report 2016

Abbreviation Elaboration Abbreviation Elaboration icddr,b International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, NUS National University of Singapore Bangladesh OCA Office of Co-curricular Activities ICLEI International Conference on Language, Education and OCSAR Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations Innovation OSA Office of Student Affairs ICTD Information and Communication Technology Division OSM Open Street Map ICTL International Conference on Teaching and Learning PASS Probation Advising and Student Support IDCOL Infrastructure Development Company Limited PDC Professional Development Centre IDRC International Development Research Center PDF Physically-challenged Development Foundation IDS Institute of Development Studies PFMR Participatory Factory Mapping Research IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering PGD Post-Graduate Diploma IEER Institutional Enabling Environment Report POCAA Platform of Community Action and Architecture IFRB Institute of Food and Radiation Biology PPRC Power and Participation Research Center IGC International Growth Centre PSDP Professional Skills Development Program IIEGRA Innovation for Improving Early Grade Reading Activity PPSC Public-Private Stakeholders Committee INSPIRE International Strategic Partnership in Research and PT Peer Tutor Education PTC&B Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology INTACT It's Time for CollaboratioN TowArds Close CooperaTion QA Quality Assurance IOM International Organization for Migration QAC Quality Assurance Committee IQAC Institutional Quality Assurance Cell QAU Quality Assurance Unit ISHTEC International Symposium on Heat Transfer and Energy RATB Rafiq Azam Travel Bursary Conservation RED Research and Evaluation Division ISI Indian Statistical Institute RGKF REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship ITEE Information Technology Engineers Examination SABP South Asia Biosafety Program ITPEC Information Technology Professionals Examination SA Self-Assessment Council SAC Self-Assessment Committee IUB Independent University, Bangladesh SAR South Asian Region JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency SCC Sylhet City Corporation JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency SCM Stop Child Marriage Kyutech Kyushu Institute of Technology SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation LAR Local Assessment Report SDGs Sustainable Development Goals LSE London School of Economics SECS School of Engineering and Computer Science M.Engg.EEE Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic SEIP Skills for Employment Investment Programme Engineering SoC State of Cities M.Sc.EEE Master of Science in Electrical and Electronic SoG State of Governance Engineering SRHRG Sexual, Reproductive Rights and Health & Gender MAGD MA in Governance and Development SSCOPE Schooling, SRHR, Gender & Counseling for MDMP Masters in Development Management and Practice Adolescents of Post- Primary Education MDS Master of Development Studies STI Science, Technology and Innovation MEd Master of Education SUN Scaling Up Nutrition MGA Member and Geographic Activities TLC Teaching and Learning Centre MNC Multinational Corporations ToT Training of Trainers MoPTIT Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information TRI Time Reverse Imaging Technology UCCE Urban, Climate Change and Environment Cluster MOST Ministry of Science and Technology UGC University Grants Commission of Bangladesh MoU Memorandum of Understanding UNDP United Nations Development Programme MPSM Masters in Procurement and Supply Management UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural MSc Master of Science Organization NACOM Nature Conservation Management UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster NAED Noman Award for Excellence in Design Reduction NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services NCC Narayanganj City Corporation USQ University of Southern Queensland NCTB National Curriculum and Textbook Board WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene NGO Non-Government Organization WC Writing Centre NIB National Institute of Biotechnology WWM Workplace Wellbeing Management NOAMI National Oceanographic And Maritime Institute YLD Young Leader's Dialogue NUMO National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad

BRAC University 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Bangladesh Ph: +88(02) 9844051-4 www.bracu.ac.bd