Brac University organized an orientation program for the new students of Spring 2021, on 27 February, 2021. The orientation program was held at the university’s Mohakhali Campus with very limited participants, following safety measures and hygiene. The program was broadcasted live on the university’s Facebook page for the rest of the audience. Earlier during the pandemic, the university conducted its orientation programs successfully over the virtual platform for the last two semesters.
“The limit is not in the sky, the limit is in our mind” said Brac University Vice-Chancellor Professor Vincent Chang, while addressing the students at the orientation. He shared this spirit from a book titled Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach, an American author. “We shall not be limited by these walls of this room, or the city’s boundary, or the country’s border, or even the sky. We shall not limit our imagination or determination” he added, while making his inspiring speech.
Professor Chang also quoted famous Irish poet Oscar Wilde – “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars”. Therefore, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged the students to be those ‘some of us’ during this pandemic turmoil. “The sky is not the limit and as the Vice-Chancellor of Brac University, I assure you that Brac University’s sky would never be a limit”, he promised.
Dr. David Dowland, Registrar, Jonathan Cartmell, Vice-President International, Dr. Samia Huq, Dean, School of General Education and Professor Mohammad Mahboob Rahman, Vice-President, Administration also attended the event as distinguished speakers. The orientation program was conducted by Mr. Saif Hossain, Assistant Professor of Brac Business School. The students were given an overview of the university and academic activities through several video screenings.
Mr. Cartmell highlighted several aspects of Brac Unversity’s current internationalization activities and global affiliations. He encouraged the students to utilize these opportunities and thrive for excellence. Dr. Samia Huq discussed the universities initiatives to revamp its’ General Education program according to its international standards. She elaborated some significant features of Brac University being part of the prestigious ‘Open Society University Network (OSUN)’. Professor Mohammad Mahboob Rahman highlighted why the students have made the right decision to choose Brac University, while sharing with them Brac University’s top ranking in research spending and immense possibilities of this university to get positioned on the global map of higher education. Dr. David Dowland in his speech highlighted some of the resources, facilities and opportunities available for the students at Brac University and encouraged the students to make the best use of these resources and opportunities.
The program ended with awarding merit scholarships to the students by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Chang. The scholarships were awarded to both domestic and international students of the university.