By K. M. Kaisarul Islam
DEH Reunion 2026
On June 12, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities hosted the DEH Reunion 2026. The event brought together past and present members of the DEH family for a day of celebration through games, music, and barbecue. Notable members of the department were in attendance including Prof. Dr. Shamsad Mortuza, Vice Chancellor of ULAB, Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head of the Department, and Prof. Kaiser Hamidul Haq. Current students, alumni and faculty members all took part in the cultural segment of the event with guest bands GraveChant and Unforgiven Shadows being the highlight performances. Paper Canoe- ULAB Literary Society brought out the colorful ambiance of the event through their hand crafted paper decorations.
Summer Orientation 2026 (Online)
On May 19, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities welcomed the newly admitted MA and BA students in the Summer semester 2026, through an online orientation. The online event started with Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman welcoming the new students into the department. The orientation was centered around introducing students to not only the success of DEH but also the history and its journey. Prof. Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, spoke about the department’s growth and future. Prof. Kaiser also encourages students to develop a lasting relationship with their university through the various academic opportunities. Next, major departmental initiatives, such as MUSE, the English Zone, as well as the Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition were introduced. The teaching assistants for the summer term were also formally introduced to the incoming batch. The event concluded with an introduction to the respected admins and faculties of DEH.
The Cinematic Cold War Between the PRC and the US in Hong Kong (1950s-1960s)- Seminar
On June 28, 2026 the Department of English and Humanities held a seminar on the “Cinematic Cold War Between the PRC and the US in Hong Kong (1950s-1960s)” with guest speaker, Prof. Ying Du of East China Normal University. The event covered the policies and strategies of the People’s Republic of China and the United States in controlling cinematic production and access in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia during the 1950s and 1960s. In attendance were the students and faculty members from different departments as well as treasurer, Prof. Milan Kumar Bhattacharjee and the Registrar, Lt. Col. (rtd.) Foyzul Islam.
Allen Ginsberg at 100: Poetry, Protest, and Posterity
On July 20, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities, in collaboration with Paper Canoe- ULAB Literary Society and ULAB Language Club- ULC, organized an event celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of poet Allen Ginsberg. The panel of discussants included Prof. Shamsad Mortuza, Vice Chancellor, ULAB, Prof. Kaiser Haq, Dean of Arts and Humanities, ULAB, and Nusrat Tajkia, Lecturer, Department of English and Humanities, ULAB. Furthermore, Oliur Rahman Sun, Lecturer, Department of English and Humanities, ULAB hosted the event. Starting with a video screening of Ginsberg’s journey, the event focused on the lasting impact of the poet’s work. Finally, undergraduate students Mahdi Tanisha Mahmud and K.M. Kaisarul Islam recited select verses from various works of Ginsberg. The event concluded with a Bengali rendition of “September on Jessore Road” by Shoeb Karim, translator and songwriter.
“What Does It Mean to Be Human in the Age of ‘Posthumanism’ and Global Fascism?”- Public Lecture by Dr. Azfar Hussain
On July 23, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities held a Public Lecture by Dr. Azfar Hussain on the topic “What Does It Mean to Be Human in the Age of ‘Posthumanism’ and Global Fascism?”. In his lecture Dr. Hussain explored the historical shifts in humanism. Furthermore, he warns how modern global fascism and authoritarianism systematically dehumanizes marginalized identities. The lecture also analyzes the July Uprising of 2024 in Bangladesh. Dr. Hussain described the movement as transformative, youth-led, and decentralized mass movement against fascism. Crucially, the speaker highlighted the interconnected struggles for justice and dignity while drawing comparisons between 1971 and 2024. The event concluded with a call to reject false narratives to build an inclusive society, where the people live in solidarity.
“Celebrating Women and Building Bridges”- Seminar with Qaisra Shahraz
On August 9, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities held a seminar titled, “Celebrating Women and Building Bridges” with guest speaker acclaimed novelist, scriptwriter, and gender activist Qaisra Shahraz MBE. The seminar was attended by students and faculty members of ULAB. The speaker spoke about her lifelong commitment to researching Muslim women’s lives. Furthermore, Qaisra shared her research findings in interviewing over 100 Muslim women from 5 countries. Talking about her work as a founder of MACFEST and the Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation, Qaisra emphasized how literature, art, and cultural advocacy can be powerful tools to challenge Islamophobia and elevate women artists.
“Women in Politics and Literature: Contributions of Jahanara Shahnawaz and Shaista Ikramullah”- Seminar with Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan
On August 18, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities organized a seminar titled, “Women in Politics and Literature: Contributions of Jahanara Shahnawaz and Shaista Ikramullah” with guest speaker, Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Professor of Global Literature at International Islamic University Malaysia and Editor-in-chief of Asiatic: IIUM Journal of English Language and Literature. The seminar focused on the political and literary contributions of South Asian Muslim women writers. Furthermore, Dr. Hasan spoke of figures such as Jahanara Shahnawaz and Shaista Ikramullah, who pioneered the political and literary crossroads during the colonial period.
Thesis Defense and Commencement Ceremony for Summer 2026 Graduating Batch
On August 30, 2026, the Department of English and Humanities held the Thesis Defense and Commencement Ceremony for the Summer 2026 graduating batch. The event celebrated 53 Bachelor of Arts (BA) and 26 Master of Arts (MA) graduates under the theme, “Dream, Dare, Deliver”. Featuring speeches from Head of Department Arifa Ghani Rahman and Dean of Arts and Humanities Prof. Kaiser Haq, the event was attended by many notable faculty members as well as students of the department. Furthermore, ULAB alumna and Lead of Strategic Communication at Info Power Limited, Rahnama Haque addressed the attendees as the commencement speaker. Highlighting her own career journey, Rahnama Haque inspired the students emphasizing the versatility in opportunities for an English Graduate. Finally, the event included an entertainment section with music, recitation, and dance performance. Next, Dr. Mushira Habib presented certificates of Scholars Program to four graduate students. The event was concluded with a vote of thanks followed by a group photo.