AUW host its first humanities conference

Asian University for Women (AUW) welcomed over 100 delegates at Hotel Agrabad in Chattogram for its inaugural humanities conference. Among the attendees were more than 40 paper presenters from various universities in Bangladesh and abroad, engaging in discussions on topics like literature, history, philosophy, culture, identity, migration, and gender.

Organised by AUW's humanities programme, which is still in its early stages, the event demonstrated the programme's ambitious goals. Mipru Marma and Jyoti Tina hosted the conference. Prof. Masudur Rahman, the conference convenor, described it as the beginning of conversations waiting to happen.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

AUW Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Sangita Rayamajhi delivered a welcome address highlighting the significance of the humanities. She noted that humanities is always at the centre of every discipline and every aspect of life, asserting that it is what makes us human, even in an age dominated by science and technology.

Guest speaker Raja Devasish Roy, recognised for his work on indigenous rights and environmental governance, highlighted the connection between climate change, biodiversity, language, and human rights.

Dr Kaiser Haq, professor and Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), delivered the keynote speech "Why Humanities Matter Today". He challenged the idea that humanities graduates have worse job prospects, noting that career uncertainty affects all fields.

The day closed with four thematic panels featuring scholars from AUW, the University of Chittagong, BRAC University, ULAB, Independent University, Bangladesh, Chittagong Independent University, State University of Bangladesh, Tribhuvan University in Nepal, and Concordia University in Canada, covering everything from literature and visual culture to memory, gender, migration, and South Asian history.