Orientation Fall 2025: “Weaving Stories”
On September 25, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities at ULAB organized the orientation program for the incoming BA and MA students of Fall 2025. The event’s theme was “Weaving Stories,” and the orientation speaker was alumna Tasfia Ahmed Mohima, Communication Architect, Communication Department, Human Resources Division at Renata PLC.
Nadia Rahman, Assistant Professor, hosted the occasion and warmly welcomed the enthusiastic freshers, which set the ambience of the event. With the question “Who are we?” Ms. Nadia Rahman invited the Head of the Department, Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, to inaugurate the program. She addressed the newcomers, guided them on navigating university life, and advised them on codes of conduct. Afterwards, she introduced the faculty members, the teaching assistants, and the department’s administrative officers, before inviting each faculty member to give brief self-introductions.
Distinguished faculty members at the occasion included the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Professor Kaiser Haq; Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Special Advisor to the ULAB Board of Trustees; and Professor Mahmud Hasan Khan. Professor Kaiser Haq delivered an engaging and relatable speech, speaking in the language of Gen Z while also reflecting on the consequences of being victims of AI. Professor Shamsad Mortuza warmly welcomed the freshers and shared his thoughts on the orientation speaker’s humane engagement with crises.
Professor Mahmud Hasan Khan emphasized his appreciation for the students’ presentation skills, alongside their strengths in writing and research. Following this, Dr. Md. Mahadhi Hasan introduced the DEH Scholars Program, designed for high achievers to be involved with advanced learning. He emphasized how this program provides students with guidelines to strengthen their engagement with academic research and to help orient them in the field.
The orientation speaker, Tasfia Ahmed Mohima, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the department and its faculty members who had guided her during her student life. She shared how, from a place of uncertainty, DEH transformed and shaped her into someone capable of thriving in the corporate world. Reminiscing how the department had woven her life story, she encouraged students to engage actively and participate in different seminars, workshops and internships.
The cultural segment began with two beautiful songs, “Brishtite Bheja Ami Tumi” and “Bhabonar Mor”, written and performed by K.M. Kaisarul Islam, who was introduced by Ms. Anika Tahsin, the adviser to Paper Canoe – ULAB Literature Club as the newly elected president. This was followed by brief speeches from BA fresher Ikra Akter and MA fresher Nafiza Nawar Nishu who spoke about their journey of joining ULAB and their future goals and expectations.
The most engaging part of the program was the “Rapid Fire” game, directed by DEH lecturers Mehek Chowdhury and Vincent Dip Gomes. Questions were directed at both students and the faculty members. The witty and humorous responses kept the atmosphere lively, with the highlight being a playful jest to Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman about how her chalk or marker would “feel” while being put to work.
The cultural segment continued with an incredible musical performance by Neha Ghose, Lecturer and Advisor to the English Zone, who sang “Bhalo Achi, Bhalo Theko.” Fresher Meraj Hossain Shadhin concluded the session by performing Warfaze’s “Purnota.”
In concluding, Master’s Coordinator, Assistant Professor Nadia Rahman delivered the vote of thanks, and the event ended with a group photo session. The orientation program was successfully organized by Batches 243, 251, and 252.
Report by Mashiyat Hasan (233013089)
