The Office of Academic Advising (OAA) of BRAC University (BRACU) organised a briefing session for around 50 select third-year student volunteers, giving guidelines and explaining their roles, duties and responsibilities as mentors of students who are going through their initial semesters.
The interactive “Mentor’s Briefing Session: Summer 2018” at the BRACU auditorium on 23 April 2018 featured Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Ansar Ahmed PhD and OAA Director Dr Sharmind Neelotpol, who is also an associate professor of the Department of Pharmacy.
Professor Ahmed advised acting as a support for students who are finding it difficult to cope with the new environment.
He said there were many factors in life that could prove difficult even for meritorious students and mentors should keep that in mind and make a mental assessment that reaches beyond academic abilities when trying to assist students.
Dr Neelotpol said the OAA was now trying to support even students in their third and fourth semesters.
She advised refraining from giving out confusing advice and that which might be misguiding, especially for cases when the mentor has little knowledge of a matter.
She also pointed out that a mentor should never impose a decision, rather motivate and give a number of solutions so that the individual concerned can choose the most suitable one.
Faculty members and other officials of BRACU were present at the event.