Commencement and Defense Fall 2025
The Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh organized the BA and MA thesis defense, followed by the Commencement Ceremony for Fall 2025 on Sunday, 28 December 2025. The day began with the thesis defense, where graduating students presented and defended their research before internal and external examiners, ensuring academic rigor and quality assessment.
Following the completion of the defense, the department hosted the commencement ceremony themed “Changing Hues,” which celebrated the academic achievements of the graduating cohort. The event was anchored by Anka Nizwa (Batch 241), who ensured a smooth and coherent flow of the program. The ceremony opened with an address by Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, who congratulated the graduates and reflected on the diverse academic and professional paths available to students of English and Humanities, encouraging them to embrace change while remaining connected to DEH and upholding the values cultivated during their time at ULAB.
This reflective tone was further enriched by Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, who read a poem that encapsulated and “summed up” the spirit of the occasion. Through his address, he emphasized the necessity of sustaining a critical spirit, underscoring that the ability to question, analyze, and think critically remains central to humanities education and must not be abandoned as students move forward in their academic and professional lives. Professor Mahmud Hasan Khan subsequently highlighted the strength of DEH’s curriculum. He addressed the graduating students as future assets who would carry the department’s intellectual legacy into their professional lives.
Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Special Advisor, ULAB Board of Trustees, spoke on the evolving nature of higher education, the need for adaptability and essential skills, and the significance of thoughtful career planning in a changing world, drawing meaningful connections to the theme “Changing Hues.”
The Commencement Speaker, Mr. Raihan Rahman, PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a ULAB gold medalist alumnus, reflected on his academic journey, underscored the central role of language, stories, and critical inquiry in the humanities, highlighting the wide range of career opportunities available to English graduates, and expressing gratitude to DEH and ULAB for equipping him with strong research and academic writing skills, which enabled him to gain admission to the PhD program he is now enrolled in. He was later presented with a token of appreciation by Professor Kaiser Haq.
The cultural segment featured a recitation of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s “Bidrohi” by graduating student Ayesha Azharul, musical performances by Sumiya Sikder Easha, and an interactive word association game conducted with the assistance of the emcee, which collectively added cultural depth and audience engagement to the event. Students reminisced about their DEH life and expressed their appreciation for faculty mentorship, peer support, and the intellectual growth fostered by the department, acknowledging the challenges and rewards of their academic journey.
The ceremony further included the distribution of certificates to graduating Scholars Program students by Dr. Mohammad Mahadhi Hasan, Scholars Program Advisor, along with members of the Scholars Program Committee. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Nusrat Tajkia, who acknowledged the guest speaker, faculty members, administrative and IT teams, teaching assistants, volunteers, and contributors, emphasizing that while the ceremony marked the conclusion of a formal academic phase, it also signified the continuation of the graduates’ enduring relationship with DEH and ULAB.
Report by Namasree Ray (233013154)
