By Sabah Srishty Rahman
MUSE’s Déjà Vu section contains conversations with alumni of the Department of English and Humanities to learn about their experiences at ULAB and how they are navigating their lives now. In this issue, we speak with recent graduate and MUSE veteran(!), Abrar Farhan Zaman, who was an active and well-known member of the department as well as a talented member of the ULAB Debate Team and Model UN Club, and is now pursuing a career in Learning & Development. Abrar gives insight into his many accolades and experiences in his talk with sub-editor Sabah, while also diving into his reasons for transferring from BRAC to ULAB and giving special thanks to the people he met at DEH who influenced his journey.
Before university, my life was shaped by formative experiences in both family and community settings. My maternal grandfather, a Cambridge graduate, introduced our family to a card game called Black Out, which became a tradition during the blackouts of 1971. I remain the reigning family champion. My mother was the head of Training of Trainers at the Bangladesh Institute of Management. From an early age, I would sit in her classes, observe her teaching, and help check copies at home. These moments sparked my interest in education and informed my early understanding of mentorship.
Outside the classroom, I took on leadership roles in several online communities. I was a guild leader in Runescape, head of roleplaying in the largest RP guild in Europe for Elder Scrolls Online, and a raid leader in Final Fantasy XIV. These roles taught me collaboration, strategy, and team management. I also served as a moderator and event organizer for Mazecity, Bangladesh’s first anime community, and contributed as a donor to its forums in 2013. I worked closely with Fardeen Azwaad from DEH in Mazecon, our flagship convention. These early experiences gave me a foundation in leadership, storytelling, and learning principles that continue to guide me.
Prior to joining ULAB, I studied English Literature at BRAC University from Fall 2017 to Fall 2018. During this time, I had the privilege of representing BRAC at the Asian English Olympics in Jakarta, an experience that expanded my perspective and encouraged me to think more ambitiously. I even found a rare moment of respite at a penguin cafe, a brief escape from my otherwise intense focus on competition.
I had the honor of speaking on behalf of 650 students as the 47th RS Day speaker at TARC. That speech proved to be a pivotal moment in my life, reshaping my self-perception and significantly boosting my confidence. Additionally, I led BRAC’s debate team as the first speaker at the United Asian Debating Championship in Bandung, where I was present to witness Bangladesh’s first-ever UADC championship victory in 2018. The sense of collective celebration within our community is a memory I will forever cherish.
During my third semester at BRAC, I frequently engaged in discussions with Sheikh Nahiyan Sir in the ENH seminar room. At that time, he was in the final stages of his undergraduate studies and working on his thesis. Our conversations spanned a wide range of topics, from Zia Haider Rahman’s In the Light of What We Know to a discussion of linguistics, particularly Ms. Shenin Ziauddin’s contributions to the field. On one occasion, he advised me to explore the faculty list at ULAB, given my passion for literature. Following his recommendation, I researched ULAB’s faculty and was thoroughly impressed by the caliber of the professors. I shared my thoughts with my grandmother, who supported my decision to transfer and assisted in convincing my parents. It was an added advantage that the founder of ULAB hailed from Jessore, my hometown, and was personally acquainted with my grandparents. The decision to transfer was not an easy one, but I ultimately chose to prioritize my love for literature.
From a young age, I was certain that I wanted to study English. My grandfather, a poet, would often read me the works of Oscar Wilde, while my mother, dedicated to fostering my intellectual curiosity, would diligently save to purchase books for me. I had read all seven Narnia books by the time I was in 4th grade. To this day, the 6th book remains my favourite, although only a few have ever read it.
Whenever I travelled, I would often return home with an array of books—English translations of Chinese epics, Japanese novels, and South Korean short stories. I spent far more time in Kinokuniya than in sightseeing, as books became my gateway to a multitude of worlds. Eventually, while on the search for rare books on eBay, I came across Shakespeare in Charge by Kenneth Adelman and Norman Augustine, a book aimed at teaching corporate executives about leadership. I shared this discovery with my father, which allowed me to bridge my passion for literature with his interest in leadership. I pursued English Literature for my O’ levels at Scholastica Uttara, where I achieved the highest mark in the country in the May/June 2015 session. In addition, I founded the Scholastica Creative Writing Club, which later evolved into Scholastica Voice, the student-led newspaper.
Serving as the general secretary and captain of the ULAB Debate Team was a transformative experience. I established a connection between ULAB and the Bangladesh Debating Council, leading to a joint effort in hosting the national debate camp at ULAB Campus B in 2019. At that time, I faced significant challenges with mobility and relied on a walking stick, yet my passion enabled me to overcome every obstacle. When the purpose is strong enough, the means reveal themselves.
Beyond debating, I also represented the ULAB Model UN Club at Daffodil’s flagship Model UN, portraying President Kennedy in the joint historical crisis committee. I also collaborated with DEH’s Nafiur Rahman, president of the Rotaract Club, to invite my father, president of Rotary Dhaka North, to mentor the ULAB Rotaract members. Professor Imran Rahman acted as my father’s mentor at both IBA DU and the Rotary Club, which added a personal significance to the experience for my family.
I am always eager to foster collaboration. One such initiative involved working with Joti ma’am and Talal Mohammed from the English Zone to create ‘Battle of Bards’—a series combining Shakespeare with debating, aimed at encouraging literature students to critically engage with the texts they study. Anika Tahsin Ma’am joined us in our second event and encouraged us to continue, which I genuinely appreciated.
On a different note, I was president of AXIS MIL, representing ULAB at the UNESCO Youth Hackathon in 2023. I enjoyed designing content and curriculum that would raise awareness about fake news and dark patterns in gacha games used to induce impulse spending. As the editorial coordinator of the ULABian, I used the platform to share inspiring stories from our campus. What’s more, I worked as the sub-editor for MUSE, where I enjoyed contributing to the publication’s creative and editorial direction.
In 2023, I was a runner-up in the HULT Prize competition, an experience that honed my leadership and problem-solving skills. Each of these roles has augmented my ability to think critically, work collaboratively, and pursue excellence.
I was fortunate to be coached by Fardeen Ameen during my time debating for Scholastica Uttara. Mr. Ameen, who served as the chair of the Bangladesh Debating Council, provided me with a blueprint for leadership within the debating community, demonstrating the sacrifices required to elevate the sport. He was a significant source of inspiration for me. The discipline, tenacity, and courage needed to compete against the best debaters in the country and internationally played a crucial role in my academic resurgence. I subscribe to the belief that one must “fail forward”—viewing every loss as an opportunity for future success, provided that lessons are learned and thoughtful reflection is applied. This mindset proved invaluable to me.
On the flip side, literature fostered my empathy, a quality essential for analyzing the incentives of various stakeholders in debates. It is also important to note that becoming a top debater requires an avid engagement with reading or, at the very least, staying attuned to current events. My studies in Literature at DEH provided me with a distinct advantage in this regard, significantly enhancing my reading stamina.
As an alumnus, I am truly pleased to witness DEH alumni members, such as Joti Ma’am, Neha Ma’am, and Mehek Ma’am, returning to the university as faculty members to mentor the next generation of students. I am confident that the department is in excellent hands, and I am certain that current students have much to learn from them, provided they approach the experience with respect and an open mind.
It is also gratifying to observe the growing number of virtual and hybrid conferences being hosted by DEH. The international conference convened by Rafi Sir was a significant milestone, and I hope to see many more such events in the future. Any ULAB student who dares to dream big, dedicates themselves to the work, and seeks assistance when needed can achieve anything they set their mind to. The future of DEH is undoubtedly bright, and our esteemed faculty will continue to guide students toward success.
Of all the courses I took in my time at ULAB, South Asian Literature, a course facilitated by Sudeep Chakravarti, remains my all-time favorite. Sir encouraged us to nominate South Asian texts, which was a remarkable opportunity, and I immediately recommended Babu Bangladesh by Dr. Numair Atif. This posthumous masterpiece holds a special place in my heart. Although the author is no longer with us, his ideas continue to resonate through his writing.
We also explored Professor Kaiser’s The New Frontier along with several other exceptional texts. I particularly immersed myself in climate fiction and produced a podcast episode discussing Saad Z. Hossain’s The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday. I can honestly say I have never experienced greater joy than in this course—it felt like Christmas had come early. I hope to one day teach a similar course and inspire my students to develop a deep appreciation for South Asian literature.
The department has supported me extensively throughout my journey. For instance, Mehek Ma’am, my academic advisor, played a pivotal role in my academic resurgence following the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without her guidance, I am uncertain whether I would have been able to overcome the challenges I faced. She also invited me to join MUSE, which has been a source of great inspiration and joy during my time at ULAB. Professor Kaiser, whose work includes some of my favorite Bangladeshi poems, provided invaluable insights, and it was an honor to learn from him. Ms. Nadia and Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman generously shared many resources with me, which helped broaden my reading and academic understanding.
Dr. Sohana Manzoor’s course on Gender was particularly enlightening. Having witnessed discrimination against women in debate, where I was even reprimanded for advocating feminist motions, her course reminded me of the importance of this fight. I also highly recommend her creative writing, which is remarkable. Start with After the Battle of Plassey, the Begums. Sohana ma’am explored the point of view of Meharunnisa, a character often vilified by our patriarchal society.
Last but not least, Sudeep Sir’s guidance was perhaps the most influential in my academic development. He taught me that peace is always worth pursuing, and his narrative nonfiction, which treats the individuals he writes about with profound dignity, has set a standard for me. Anyone who believes that Bangladeshi education is subpar is gravely mistaken. I received far more value than I paid for, and I would not have chosen any other path.
I formed close friendships with individuals across various departments during my time at ULAB. Eric, from the CSE department, served as our team leader in the HULT Prize runner-up team in 2023, and he has since become a valued brother to me. Although he is currently stationed in Jessore, he continues to check in on the team periodically to ensure our well-being. Abid, from the MSJ department, who was also mentored by Sudeep Sir, is currently pursuing Journalism on a full scholarship at Delhi University. I eagerly await his return, as he is one of my closest friends. It was Abid who offered the advice that motivated me to become the editor of the campus newspaper and the president of AXIS MIL. Deepto, from the BBA department, aspired to study at Harvard. To his credit, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to acquire knowledge, despite the structural barriers we face in Bangladesh. His work ethic inspired me, and I am confident that he will one day earn a doctorate in business administration.
Within DEH, my closest friends include Md. Sahedul Islam Hira Bhai, Nafiur Rahman, Fahim Ibrahim Chowdhury, and Rifat Abdullah, who now resides in Germany. I also count Nuhash, who graduated alongside me, as a close friend, as we have shared many experiences and supported each other through various challenges. Although I do not message them as frequently as I should, I make an effort to keep track of how they are doing and reach out whenever I sense they may be feeling down. I have the utmost confidence in all of them and am certain that they will achieve great success, no matter the obstacles life presents.
After graduation, I have chosen Learning and Development (L&D) as my profession, a decision influenced by my experience coaching the championship-winning debate team at Scholastica Uttara in 2019. I discovered a deep passion for working with individuals who possess a strong drive to achieve, making L&D a natural extension of that experience. During my time at DEH, I was provided with numerous opportunities to mentor my peers, which laid the foundation for my future success in this field. For instance, Dr. Fakrul Alam allowed me to introduce the topic of the day to my fellow students during the first 15-20 minutes of his class. He would incorporate my ideas into his lecture and analyse them from new perspectives. Similarly, Professor Kaiser permitted me to present my interpretation of poems and share handouts in his Modernism class before delivering his lecture. These experiences of mentorship were invaluable in helping me identify and model exceptional lecturers.
For any DEH student interested in pursuing a career in L&D, I have promising news. ULAB’s first valedictorian, Don Sumdany, is a leading corporate trainer in Bangladesh. I have personally attended two of his masterclasses. I highly recommend attending his Career Vision sessions, which he conducts every semester exclusively for ULAB students. On my part, I have studied the works of Tony Robbins and Stephen R. Covey extensively, and I have learned from their programs. I am happy to share resources and ideas with anyone interested, and I encourage you to reach out to me via social media or email. I view ULAB students as potential collaborators instead of competitors, so we can always work together towards a win-win.
One piece of advice I can offer to all students right now is this: When conducting a training session, always explain the “why” behind your presentation. Align the participants with the goals of the session and demonstrate how it directly benefits them. Additionally, it is important to consider brain-based principles and the principles of andragogy when designing your sessions. In the future, I plan to create and share free resources for interested DEH students through our designated Facebook groups, so I encourage you to stay tuned for that.
Finally, I want to give a special thanks to MUSE itself. MUSE was both my sanctuary and solace. It became a place where I connected with outstanding faculty members in the Beacon segment and had the privilege of learning from their wisdom. I also had the opportunity to write about Solarpunk and edit the creative work of some of the most imaginative minds on our campus.
If you aspire to be a writer or editor, make it a goal to become a sub-editor at MUSE during your time at ULAB. To turn this goal into a reality, I recommend using Tony Robbins’ Rapid Planning Method. Take an A4 sheet of paper and divide it into three columns. In the first column, outline your Massive Action Plan—detail the steps you will take to reach your goal. In the second column, define the result you are aiming for. In the third column, write down your “why”—understand the deeper reason why this goal is important to you.
Destiny is shaped through decisions. If you decide today to send submissions to MUSE and work your way towards becoming a sub-editor, you can become the author of your life.