Alumni Talk: “From Local Roots To Global Pursuits: Navigating Higher Studies”
On June 28, 2024, ULAB’s Department of English and Humanities conducted an alumni-led discussion session for students to help encourage and shape them for future academic endeavors. The guest speaker was Mr. Arunav Das, DEH alumnus, who was welcomed back and warmly introduced to the students by Ms. Nadia Rahman, Assistant Professor, DEH.
Having completed his BA in English and MA in Literature and Cultural Studies from ULAB, Mr. Das also obtained an MA in World Literature from Nalanda University as an International Scholar of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 2024. His next academic venture is a doctorate in English and American Literature at the University of South Carolina in Fall 2024, where he has secured a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). Additionally, Mr. Das is an independent filmmaker and has directed two documentaries screened in international film festivals around the world including Dhaka International Film Festival 2023, earning awards in India.
The aim of the discussion was to expose students to numerous opportunities and prepare them for the procedures that follow after graduation. Mr. Das delved into the intricacies of applying for scholarships by explaining the expectations of foreign universities. He urged students to fully utilize the resources – such as conferences and workshops – provided by the department as that would boost their applications. From writing an immaculate Statement of Purpose to receiving financial aid, Mr. Das covered all the requirements that interested students would need to know. As a former student of ULAB himself, Mr. Das drew from his own experiences at DEH which, in turn, led to a very active Q&A session with the attendees.
After Mr. Das responded to all the student queries, Ms. Nadia Rahman and Ms. Nusrat Tajkia, Lecturer & BA Coordinator, presented the Guest Speaker with a token of appreciation and brought the discussion to a close with a photo session.
Report by Fatema Aftab Miah (211013016)
