ULAB: the bridge between tradition and the future
Sunday, 26 August 2007
The current global fashion is to rank universities according to their academic programmes, research profile and ability to attract students. All of the top universities are either American or British and they all follow a liberal arts curriculum. Most of the rest of the world's universities seek to emulate the American universities but fail in one significant aspect. Their curriculum remains locked in to the narrow vocational model- they train people for jobs. The University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh also seeks to follow the American model and very consciously seeks to follow the liberal arts curriculum because it perceives this as the core reason for Harvard, Yale, Brown and Weslyan's [to mention a few] success.
ULAB Founder, Kazi Shahid Ahmed, believes in creating works that benefit the people of Bangladesh and are of service to the country. In this spirit, he created a place of learning where students would be fully steeped in the values of their own heritage, yet trained to face the modern global workplace. The vision is to establish ULAB as an internationally recognized, modern and most updated educational institution in the region of South Asia. To bring this vision into reality ULAB emphasizes: unique curriculum, quality faculty and staff, state-of- the -art facilities and environment
ULAB started its journey in 2004 and introduced the liberal arts curriculum for the first time in the country. The Liberal Arts syllabus exposes students to a broad range of subjects, ideas, approaches and method of learning. The purpose behind this is to produce people who can think for themselves rather than follow. But depth of knowledge is not sacrificed. Students are introduced to the major thinkers of all cultures, east and west. They are encouraged to seek out what is best and apply it to their lives. Thus the students exposed to the liberal arts curriculum is a well-rounded, compassionate, thoughtful and active member of society. ULAB provides an education with sustainability in its core value. Students are taught world civilizations as well as Bangladesh culture in depth. ULAB was the first to introduce Bangla course, which means every students must take and pass this course regardless their major.
ULAB's current undergrad programmes are Business Administration, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, English Language and Literature, Media Studies and Journalism and EMBA in the slot of graduate programs. Institute of Suitable Development (ISD) and Performing Arts are the two more innovative programs hoping to be launched very soon.
Not only the unique curriculum and best possible teachers, ULAB provides an excellent environment and state-of-the-art equipments and facilities to the students. Automatic entrance control and 24 hours CCTV surveillances system along with well-trained security guards are deployed to ensure security at campus. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned and contain all modern teaching implements, including high-resolution 3M Brand multi media projectors. The air-conditioned library has a rapidly expanding collection with computerized catalog access, a seminar room and a language lab. Most Bangla and English newspapers are available, along with many important national and international journals and magazines.
Computer and ETE labs are equipped with most updated equipments. Also free high-speed Internet access and free email accounts are available for every student. ULAB also offers a modern media lab, the first in any private university in Bangladesh.
ULAB is rich in club activities, there are in fact 14 clubs operating at present time. These clubs are run by students' body and actively arrange cultural programmes, tours, seminars, symposiums, fund raising programmes and so forth. Through these clubs students are exposing their innovation and nurturing the talents of organizing both small and large scales programmes. ULAB has the only tournament-standard cricket field of any private university in Bangladesh, located in Ramchandrapur (Mohammadpur), Dhaka. In February 2006, ULAB hosted its first tournament on the field, the Fair Play Cup, in which other private universities participated.
Career Service Office is the newest addition to ULAB system. This office will work very closely with the students to ensure developing necessary skills. The management of ULAB signed MOU with JOBS -ICT; this international institution will work with students along with the Career Service Office to develop their essential skills so that they can meet the challenge of professional world.
ULAB is now located at Dhanmondi. It also is developing the permanent campus at Ramchandrapur (Mohammadpur), Dhaka, with all the physical facilities possible over a 5-acre of land.
ULAB follows a well-crafted curriculum that provides a sound grounding in vocational and professional education. Students have the liberty to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. They are being trained for the future. ULAB seeks to prepare for jobs that do not yet exist but will in a dynamic and changing economic environment that now characterizes Bangladesh.
However, it remains sensitive to traditions and provides its students with a secure and safe environment in accordance to the wishes of parents and guardians. ULAB is the bridge between tradition and the future.
ULAB Founder, Kazi Shahid Ahmed, believes in creating works that benefit the people of Bangladesh and are of service to the country. In this spirit, he created a place of learning where students would be fully steeped in the values of their own heritage, yet trained to face the modern global workplace. The vision is to establish ULAB as an internationally recognized, modern and most updated educational institution in the region of South Asia. To bring this vision into reality ULAB emphasizes: unique curriculum, quality faculty and staff, state-of- the -art facilities and environment
ULAB started its journey in 2004 and introduced the liberal arts curriculum for the first time in the country. The Liberal Arts syllabus exposes students to a broad range of subjects, ideas, approaches and method of learning. The purpose behind this is to produce people who can think for themselves rather than follow. But depth of knowledge is not sacrificed. Students are introduced to the major thinkers of all cultures, east and west. They are encouraged to seek out what is best and apply it to their lives. Thus the students exposed to the liberal arts curriculum is a well-rounded, compassionate, thoughtful and active member of society. ULAB provides an education with sustainability in its core value. Students are taught world civilizations as well as Bangladesh culture in depth. ULAB was the first to introduce Bangla course, which means every students must take and pass this course regardless their major.
ULAB's current undergrad programmes are Business Administration, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, English Language and Literature, Media Studies and Journalism and EMBA in the slot of graduate programs. Institute of Suitable Development (ISD) and Performing Arts are the two more innovative programs hoping to be launched very soon.
Not only the unique curriculum and best possible teachers, ULAB provides an excellent environment and state-of-the-art equipments and facilities to the students. Automatic entrance control and 24 hours CCTV surveillances system along with well-trained security guards are deployed to ensure security at campus. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned and contain all modern teaching implements, including high-resolution 3M Brand multi media projectors. The air-conditioned library has a rapidly expanding collection with computerized catalog access, a seminar room and a language lab. Most Bangla and English newspapers are available, along with many important national and international journals and magazines.
Computer and ETE labs are equipped with most updated equipments. Also free high-speed Internet access and free email accounts are available for every student. ULAB also offers a modern media lab, the first in any private university in Bangladesh.
ULAB is rich in club activities, there are in fact 14 clubs operating at present time. These clubs are run by students' body and actively arrange cultural programmes, tours, seminars, symposiums, fund raising programmes and so forth. Through these clubs students are exposing their innovation and nurturing the talents of organizing both small and large scales programmes. ULAB has the only tournament-standard cricket field of any private university in Bangladesh, located in Ramchandrapur (Mohammadpur), Dhaka. In February 2006, ULAB hosted its first tournament on the field, the Fair Play Cup, in which other private universities participated.
Career Service Office is the newest addition to ULAB system. This office will work very closely with the students to ensure developing necessary skills. The management of ULAB signed MOU with JOBS -ICT; this international institution will work with students along with the Career Service Office to develop their essential skills so that they can meet the challenge of professional world.
ULAB is now located at Dhanmondi. It also is developing the permanent campus at Ramchandrapur (Mohammadpur), Dhaka, with all the physical facilities possible over a 5-acre of land.
ULAB follows a well-crafted curriculum that provides a sound grounding in vocational and professional education. Students have the liberty to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. They are being trained for the future. ULAB seeks to prepare for jobs that do not yet exist but will in a dynamic and changing economic environment that now characterizes Bangladesh.
However, it remains sensitive to traditions and provides its students with a secure and safe environment in accordance to the wishes of parents and guardians. ULAB is the bridge between tradition and the future.