Campus Report :
The University of East London (UEL) Bangladesh Alumni Network, UK held its Annual London Event at its Stratford campus on November 20 this year. This was an engaging and encouraging event which brought UEL graduates from Bangladeshi ethnicity, their family and friends together. All the major Bangladeshi community TV channels covered the event.
Officiating at the ceremony, Kamile Hudson, Senior alumni advancement officer of UEL emphasised the significance of the Alumni network and the importance of connecting with the University. She praised the efforts made by the organising committee in bringing together alumni across the spectrum of disciplines and ensuring its Bangladeshi ex-students remain connected to their roots.
Kamile stated in the future, the university will be further exploring ways in which the network can further expand its offerings with an aim to hold first alumni event in Bangladesh in co-operation with the UEL Bangladesh Alumni Network (UELBAN). She also handed a token of appreciation to Shahadat Munna for his significant contribution to the Higher education sector in the UK. Munna’s college previously run a UEL partnership programme through which 500 Bangladeshi students graduated from the university. Kazi Jasim Uddin received a token of appreciation for his contribution to the cultural activities.
Dr Syed Ali Tarek, President of the Bangladesh Alumni Network, emphasised on the connectivity and the importance of networking and collaboration as a way forward. Bangladeshi Alumni from the UEL has been contributing in the UK through their services in public, private and not for profit sectors.
Dr Syed exemplified how Bangladeshi graduates of UEL can inspire students from the ethnic minority communities. He set the vision of the network is to offer various programmes in the coming years which will enable the Bangladeshi Alumni of UEL to stay connected. He said a summer Music festival is on the cards and the committee is committed to achieving this target in 2018.
Guest speaker Shahadat Munna promised that he would give strategic direction to the Alumni Network so that it reaches to a wider audience many of whom are UEL alumni. Vice President Tojo Hossain shared his thoughts on how he has seen a once small group of graduates grow into a vast network. He stressed that the numbers are continuously increasing, and it is about time when this alumni network becomes the leading UK university regional alumni association.
An Art competition was also held. This competition was open for kids of all ages. In total 15 junior artists took part in the competition. The judges declared Sajid Mohammed Aadheen and Shaelyn Rayna as the winners of the Art competition. Nubaid Abdullah was runners-up in the competition. All the junior artists were extremely pleased to be a part of the event. The event was further lightened up by Community champion singers like Saida Tani who is best known for her folk, soulful, spiritual & unique style of singing and performance followed by Pretom Saha and Tanim Ahmed. UEL Alumni Kazi Jasim Uddin also performed a few songs on public demand. He has composed the UEL Bangladesh Alumni Network’s theme song which was performed at the end of the event. A captivating two and half hours of musical extravaganza ensured the event was an engaging one for everyone present.
A drink reception, with lunch, was held at the venue, and a raffle followed this. UELBAN Secretary, Shaha Riadh and Treasurer M Ershad U Bahar ensured the programme had houseful occupancy.
Ayaz Karim, Head of public relations and corporate communications co-ordinated the event and assured the programme run smoothly. The event concluded with a photoshoot with all the members of the UEL Bangladesh Alumni Network (UELBAN).
