By Tuni Nigar
The Department of English and Humanities (DEH) at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh successfully hosted the 11th Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition on October 23–24, 2025, bringing together students, scholars, and performers from universities across Bangladesh. The two-day event revolved around the theme “Fairy Tales and Folklore: Happily N/ever After,” encouraging participants to critically examine traditional narratives while exploring their darker, complex, and often subversive dimensions.
The conference served as a vibrant platform for both scholarly exchange and creative expression, with students presenting research papers, engaging in discussions, and showcasing theatrical and cultural performances inspired by folklore and fairy-tale traditions. Participants from 22 universities representing seven districts (including Dhaka) joined the conference, reflecting a wide geographic and academic diversity.
The event was organized with the generous support of a grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony was graced by Abul Foyez Md. Alauddin Khan, Additional Secretary (Admin) of the ministry, who attended as the Chief Guest. In his address, Mr. Khan commended the students for their enthusiastic participation in creative and intellectual pursuits. He highlighted the importance of such platforms in nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness among young scholars. Reflecting on his own academic journey, he expressed admiration for ULAB’s commitment to fostering academic dialogue and cultural engagement through events of this scale and significance.
The conference featured a competitive paper presentation segment, where students presented original research engaging with the conference theme from diverse theoretical and cultural perspectives. After careful evaluation, Romana Ruhin Ridi of BRAC University received the Best Paper Award, while Raisa Anan of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh secured the Runner-Up Paper Award.
In addition to the academic sessions, the event also included a lively Cultural Competition where universities presented theatrical and performance-based interpretations of fairy tales and folklore. Among the six competing institutions, ULAB’s production titled “The Rizzlers of Fairy Tales” won the Championship, while “What is Beauty and Who is the Beast?” by Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology earned the Runner-Up Award.
To ensure fairness and academic rigor in the evaluation process, respected academics from non-participating universities served as judges. The research papers were evaluated by Sarkar Hasan Al Zayed, Associate Professor of English and Modern Languages at Independent University, Bangladesh, and Rabita Rahman, Assistant Professor of English at Jahangirnagar University. The cultural performances were judged by Abdus Selim, Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature at Central Women’s University, and Razia Sultana Khan, Advisor to the Department of English and Modern Languages at Independent University, Bangladesh.
The awards presented to the winners included a crest, certificate of recognition, and prize money, acknowledging both the academic and creative excellence displayed during the conference.
Over the years, the DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition has evolved into one of the department’s most anticipated annual events. By bringing together students from diverse institutions and backgrounds, the conference continues to foster inter-university collaboration, intellectual engagement, and artistic experimentation.
The 11th edition once again demonstrated how literature, folklore, and performance can become powerful mediums for dialogue and reinterpretation. Through rigorous academic discussion and imaginative cultural presentations, the event celebrated the enduring relevance of fairy tales and folklore while inviting students to question their meanings in contemporary contexts.