Barbara Wickham, OBE, has been the country director for the British Council, in Bangladesh, since January 2015. She started her professional career in 1978 teaching English as a foreign language in Cairo.

The stigma attached to Bangladeshi writers putting forth their thoughts in English is not new. It is often frowned upon by puritans of Bengali literature, acting as ‘gatekeepers’ raising questions on the motives of the writers themselves.

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First National Biotechnology Summer School organised by National Institute of biotechnology (NIB) and Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh, was recently held at Chattogram. Twenty-seven universities and twenty-five organisations participated in the event. Bangladeshi scientist and professor, Haseena Khan inaugurated the event. Vice Chancellor of University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC), Professor Nurul Absar, attended the event as the chief guest, whereas chairperson of Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Zeba Islam Seraj, attended as a special guest.

Gregorian English Language Club organised their second National English Carnival-with title sponsor BBS Cables recently. The carnival witnessed the participation of enthusiastic students from more than 40 institutions including the prestigious Cadet Colleges across the city. With 17 mega events and a record of around 4000 participants, this carnival was successful in bringing many English language enthusiasts under one roof. This year’s slogan ‘The Art of Communication is the Language of Leadership’ inspired students to embrace the English language as a way of reaching out across the globe.

“Think equal, build smart, innovate for change” is the slogan for International Women’s Day 2019. The cornerstone of this year’s theme predominantly focuses on innovation that would concern the advancement of gender equality, fundamentally leading to women empowerment. The modules that have been signifised particularly include social protection system, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

The National Finale of Famelab 2019, hosted by British Council, took place on March 23 in The Westin Dhaka. Famelab, the world’s leading science communication competition, requires each contestant to present a STEM topic of their choice with content, clarity and charisma in three minutes, using props.

Born in 1983, Nahida Nahid completed her graduation in Bangla Language and Literature from Jahangirnagar University. Besides teaching at Comilla University, she has also done extensive academic research on Bangla Literature. Her first book, Olokar Fu,l was published in 2017, followed by her book, Juthochari Adharer Golpo, in 2018, which won the Kali O Kolom Young Poet and Writers’ award that year. Her latest book, Purush Paat, narrates nine stories, focusing on men in contrast to their societal gender roles.

All across the world, women are stepping out of the safe confines of their homes to explore unknown cities, countries and continents.

Prabhudan Halder Dino's Love, Education and Food (LEF) for Life is a school that has been providing underprivileged children with education, food and vocational training since 2001. Over 300 children are schooled under the organisation. Besides literacy, LEF for Life teaches these children different life and leadership skills.

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English Club of the Laboratorians, Government Laboratory High School Dhaka, hosted their 3rd Laboratorians’ National English Carnival 2019 from March 8-10, at their Dhanmondi campus with the motto ‘Join the Revolution’.

Youth Festival Season 3, one of the most anticipated events of the year was organised on the campus of St Joseph Higher Secondary School from March 7 - 9.

Notre Dame University Bangladesh Business Club (NDUBBC), in association with Dhaka University Career Club, organised a peek-in programme titled ‘Essence from Experts’ as part of ‘DUCC presents Young Professional Summit recently, at the NDUB campus.

I was not surprised when I learned Bandhobi, neither was I surprised by the reactions it incited. What surprised me was how quite a few people of note jumped to blindly defending her work. I am particularly stumped by an opinion published on the Daily Star by Arafat Kazi, titled “Defending my Bandhobi”. It’s important to remember that whatever the quality of work is, bullying or harassment of any type isn’t commendable.

The journey of Pencil began as a Facebook group that started on September 12, 2016, with an assemblage of diverse writers, singers,

First officer Anita Rahman is one of the crew members who conducted the operation for bringing home both of Bangladesh Biman Airlines' Dreamliners.

To celebrate the Local Guides of Google's global community, Connect Live is back and will be bigger than ever. The event will be held

The theme for 2019's International Women's Day campaign is 'Balance for Better', encouraging more balanced and equitable

This International Women’s Day, Bangladesh Debating Council organised the first ever Shevolution, an event for women, by women.