BRACU Express

BRACU Express An independent monthly publication by BRAC University students. Visit our website to uncover myriad of stories.

For any queries, contact us at [email protected] BRACU Express is a monthly independent newspaper produced by students at BRAC University. It is a platform to reach and get to know students, faculty, staff and all those countless unheard voices who work to make this campus a strong, involved community. A significant portion of the pieces are written by contributors consisting of students,

alumni and faculty. BRACU Express is free and will be available on newsstands throughout the campus on the last week of every month.

16/01/2025

For better quality and the entire video : https://youtu.be/QWzlBLHySw8

Music is sometimes our only friends during our times of sadness. Our only solace during a bad day. And sometimes, our outlet of excitement as well. But what drives a musician to do what they do? A***n Shreshta (Senior, CSE) helps us by providing a glimpse of the man behind the guitar. He is a member of not only one but three bands- Gonje Fereshta, NAAD and ‘অ আ ই’. His talent knows no bounds with him performing the role of a composer, a lyricist, vocalist, guitarist and what not depending on which band needs what from him.

Dive into A***n Shrestha’s inspiring story and explore his passion for music and life on BRACU Express. Stay tuned with us as we unravel more of BracU's hidden and shining talents at the music industry!

Videography : Tanvir Rahman and Maheer Helal
Video Editing : Tanvir Rahman

Read the entire article here: https://bracuexpress.com/the-americanization-of-kpop/Korean pop has come a long way since ...
14/01/2025

Read the entire article here: https://bracuexpress.com/the-americanization-of-kpop/

Korean pop has come a long way since the release of the global hit "Gangnam Style." While KPop undeniably has Western roots, the genre still has its unique flavor and style, separating it from traditional pop. However, the current music produced by this genre is more American than ever, from industry giants like releasing titles sung in English with BTS's "Butter," "Permission to Dance," and "Dynamite" to increasing collaboration with American artists with Rose and Bruno Mars's "APT," to companies debuting members who are fluent in English.

Brac University’s successful contest programming team, BracU_Crows, achieved yet another victory by being the champion a...
11/01/2025

Brac University’s successful contest programming team, BracU_Crows, achieved yet another victory by being the champion at the KUET Inter-University Programming Contest (IUPC) 2025, outperforming 160 teams with their stellar problem-solving skills, cracking 8 problems in record time! Their consistent achievements continue to elevate BracU's reputation in competitive programming.
Let’s celebrate their outstanding achievement and cheer them on for even more significant milestones ahead!

On January 3rd, BracU student Anata Choudhury clinched the championship title at the Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman Memorial C...
09/01/2025

On January 3rd, BracU student Anata Choudhury clinched the championship title at the Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman Memorial Chess Tournament, held at Dhaka University, remaining unbeaten with 8 points out of 9. Tahmidul Haque(Freshman, CSE) emerged as the top performer among 1800-2000 rated players. In an interview with BRACU Express, Tahmidul reflected on their success, saying, “I believe this victory will keep BRAC University Chess Club - BUCHC members motivated and attract more people to chess on the campus, motivating us to excel further and conquer more prestigious tournaments around the country.”

Read the entire article here : https://bracuexpress.com/kothopokothon-priyo-maloti-team-brings-the-story-of-resilience-a...
07/01/2025

Read the entire article here : https://bracuexpress.com/kothopokothon-priyo-maloti-team-brings-the-story-of-resilience-and-activism/

BRAC University Film Club 's event ‘কথোপকথন’ welcomed the team of the feature film ‘Priyo Maloti’ on a recent event on campus. Actress Mehazabien Chowdhury, director Shankha Das Gupta, and co-actors Shahjahan Samrat and Azad Abul Kalam engaged with students to discuss the film's themes of social justice and resilience. The director praised the youth’s power to protest and shared the challenges of filmmaking. An unreleased song was premiered as a surprise, with vocalist Ahmed Hasan Sunny expressing hope in the younger generation. The evening concluded with cheers, leaving promises of future visits from the guests.

Read the entire article here : https://bracuexpress.com/techconnect-career-fair-links-students-with-leading-companies/Br...
05/01/2025

Read the entire article here : https://bracuexpress.com/techconnect-career-fair-links-students-with-leading-companies/
Brac University hosted the much-awaited TechConnect: Engineering & Computer Science Career Fair by Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations - OCSAR. Top companies like TherapBD, Walton, Strativ, and more engaged with students, offering insights, resume collections, and career guidance. Alumni and students alike praised this platform for bridging the gap between education and industry.

Read the entire article here: https://bracuexpress.com/global-minds-unite-for-the-38th-bsm-international-conference-host...
04/01/2025

Read the entire article here: https://bracuexpress.com/global-minds-unite-for-the-38th-bsm-international-conference-hosted-by-brac-university/

The 38th Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) Annual International Conference 2024, held at BRAC University on December 28–29, brought together around 600 participants under the theme "Microbes in Health and Nutrition." Featuring technical sessions on topics like Antimicrobial Resistance, Epidemiology, and Vaccine Biology, the event showcased groundbreaking research and fostered collaboration. Highlights included the Lifetime Achievement Award for Professor Zia Uddin Ahmed, engaging poster presentations, and the Youth Emerging Scientist (YES) session. The conference concluded with inspiring speeches and a prize-giving ceremony, marking a successful platform for exchanging knowledge and celebrating scientific excellence.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 "𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗨"For the days when you want to indulge and treat ...
03/01/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 "𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗨"

For the days when you want to indulge and treat yourself, here’s our final guide to the premium food spots near BracU! These places offer the perfect escape, from Griddle’s aesthetic rice bowls to Savoy’s sweet ice creams and Brew Buddies’ desserts. Whether it’s a bad quiz or a good day worth celebrating, these spots lift your spirits and satisfy your cravings.

Read the entire article here: https://bracuexpress.com/splurging-details-compensating-bad-days-with-a-wallet/

02/01/2025

Tunes of BracU - 7 : Shams Mansoor Ghani

Watch the entire interview in better quality : https://youtu.be/LKunpL7c9UU?si=k7Tx4ewdpGK2kiYc

For many people, music is a staple part of our lives. Some only listen, while others, no matter how hectic our days are, look to making music. Today, we explore the journey of such a music maker, the Assistant Professor of the School of Architecture and Design (SoAD), Shams Mansoor Ghani . Along with all of that, he is also the songwriter, producer, and keyboardist at Warfaze and Onibarjo .

After being in the music industry for over two decades, one of the best aspects of becoming a musician in Bangladesh is that if we can pull the listeners' heartstrings and inspire something in them, they tend to be lifelong companions of our music, explained Ghani. Lastly, he also mentioned another challenging aspect of success in the music industry: the lack of people willing to spare expenses to support artists.

Tune into our YouTube channel for the entire interview. Keep an eye as we unravel the hidden and rising stars of BracU in the music industry every week!

Videography and editing : Maheer Helal

As we begin 2025, let’s step with hope, lighting in our way, and determination driving us forward. May this year bring n...
01/01/2025

As we begin 2025, let’s step with hope, lighting in our way, and determination driving us forward. May this year bring new opportunities, meaningful connections, and countless moments of joy. Here’s to growth, success, and making memories that last a lifetime. A joyful New Year from all of us at BRACU Express! Wishing you peace, prosperity, and endless happiness in the days ahead!

Graphics by: Zarab Juhayer
Caption by: Ahnaf Ishmam Prithul

What a year it has been! 2024 at BRAC University  was nothing short of extraordinary. BRACU Express invites you to journ...
31/12/2024

What a year it has been! 2024 at BRAC University was nothing short of extraordinary. BRACU Express invites you to journey through a year that pushed boundaries, sparked courage, and celebrated brilliance. From the thrill of starting afresh on a new campus to resilience in the July protests, Brac University celebrates a year that truly defined what it means to be part of BracU community.

It began with a monumental move to our new campus—a space that became the stage for countless achievements, from cultural celebrations like Falgun Fest to academic victories at the NUMO and ICPC. With the appointment of Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar as Vice-Chancellor, BracU stepped confidently into the future as Dr. Anwar’s vision promises to lead the university to new heights.

Amid the July protests, BracU showed the world what unity looks like, standing tall in the face of adversity. Our robotics teams innovated to bring relief during August floods, and Code Black earned international acclaim, proving that BracU’s creativity knows no bounds.

What’s more, we listened to NASA’s Joseph M. Acaba inspire us to reach for the stars. Adding to the momentum, the Bangladesh Women’s National Football Team visited, empowering students with their stories of resilience and strength.

You can also get the bigger picture by exploring the e-paper version on our website by clicking the link below:
https://bracuexpress.com/special-feature-of-2024/

Closing the chapter of 2024, BRACU Express has worked tirelessly to document our journey, celebrating moments of bravery, inspiration, achievement far and wide. While we couldn’t cover and highlight every event at BracU this year, we celebrate each incredible event with pride. With renewed energy, we step into 2025, ready to continue connecting and inspiring through our stories. Here’s to every student, faculty, and staff member who made it unforgettable. Here’s to 2025 and all it promises! ✨

This winter, BRAC University Adventure Club (BUAC) unveiled the curtains of a fascinating journey of events for adventur...
30/12/2024

This winter, BRAC University Adventure Club (BUAC) unveiled the curtains of a fascinating journey of events for adventure enthusiasts: University Adventra: The Legacy Chase 2024. Twenty-two teams, including BRAC University, Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology, BUET, Dhaka University, North South University, East West University, Chittagong University, Aeronautical Institute of Bangladesh (AIB), and Army Institute of Business Administration - Army IBA took part in the event. The event featured multiple thrilling, barrier-breaking challenges that started on 20th December with a preliminary round and an online riddle segment—followed by an activity round and treasure hunt on 26th December at the Rainforest Eco-Resort, Gazipur. “Team Short Circuit” from AUST and “Team Unpredictable” from AIB performed best as required by the event’s importance of consistency and calmness in challenges. Hence, they were announced as Champions and Runner-up of the University Adventra 2024, respectively.

The inspiration emerged from the club’s core goal of pushing limits, embracing resilience, and sparking the adventurous spirit. The club hopes to reach a nationwide platform that will unite adventure enthusiasts. University Adventra focused on the thrill and strategically challenged physical endurance, intelligence, and teamwork to stand apart from traditional university events. However, BUAC faced challenges in quickly planning the best way to include other universities.

Vice President Nafisa Rahman (Senior, CSE) of BUAC revealed that such inter-university competitions bring students out of their comfort zones to build teamwork spirit and give critical thinking a chance to build resilience. She says, “ This event was a turning point for the club’s journey, proving the stigma of us only arranging tours untrue.” She hopes future panels will continue events like this on a large scale to unite the adventurous minds. BUAC hopes this event inspires students to reach far out rather than only academics by embracing challenges, fostering unity, and breaking all barriers.

Written by: Rawhi Deema Reza
Photos: BUAC

The last few days at BRAC University were filled with joy, colors, and winter cheer as the Mentors' Study Abroad  presen...
29/12/2024

The last few days at BRAC University were filled with joy, colors, and winter cheer as the Mentors' Study Abroad presents WinterFest, organized by the BRAC University Entrepreneurship Development Forum-BUEDF and powered by Asian Paints Bangladesh, brought together students, entrepreneurs, faculty, and staff to celebrate the festive season.The campus buzzed with activity, packed with enthusiastic visitors exploring various unique stalls and vibrant attractions.

The event offered something for everyone, from internationally renowned brands like ASUS and Chatime to handmade local creations crafted by small businesses. Stalls featured various items, including handmade skincare, jewelry, paintings, clothing, perfumes, food items like pickles, baked goods, and even traditional "Pitha." Vendor Sitima Sarker proudly shared her joy seeing students embrace her traditional handmade jewelry inspired by Bangladeshi heritage. ASUS representative Al Amin Rahid was equally thrilled to witness tech-savvy students exploring the latest laptop and gaming innovations.

The vendors were undeniably the heart of the fest, each showcasing unique talents and experiences. Sadab Khondoker(Senior, BBS) achieved remarkable success by becoming the highest seller on the first day with his delicious homemade cookies. While some vendors thrived, others expressed concerns over high stall fees, making it challenging to offer student-friendly prices. Despite this, Jarin Salsabil Samiha(Sophomore, BBS), celebrated her success, noting the joy of seeing repeat customers and highlighting the timeless Bengali winter fashion of shawls paired with sarees.

The final day of Winter Fest was a spectacular conclusion. To kick-start the day, BUEDF presented a sensational lineup featuring in-house bands FURY Horizon, Xenon, and Nivrit. The grand finale enthralled the crowd with exhilarating performances by Aftermath Bangladesh and Shironamhin , marking one of the most extraordinary musical lineups ever witnessed at BRAC University.
BUEDF’sWinterFest wasn’t just a celebration—it was a testament to the creativity, diversity, and unity of the BRACU community, leaving unforgettable memories in its wake.

Written by: Umayrah Iram

BRAC University campus radiated compassion and solidarity during the three-day charity event under “𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯” hel...
28/12/2024

BRAC University campus radiated compassion and solidarity during the three-day charity event under “𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯” held on December 22, 23, and 24. This heartfelt initiative, spearheaded by Dia Nur Sehba (Sophomore, CS), Ishrat Aurin (Junior, BBS), and Nibir Neelim (Senior, CS), aimed to support Brac Business School’s alumnus Imtiaz Rabbi in his fight against osteosarcoma and raise awareness about terminal illnesses. The event, organized in collaboration with the BRACU Response Team, Social Impact Lab, and Peace Café, exemplified the university’s spirit of community and action.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭: 𝗔 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁

The event began with fundraising stalls beside the multipurpose hall, offering eco-friendly handicrafts and artworks for sale. Donations poured in as students and faculty engaged enthusiastically. Participants received yellow ribbons as a token of cancer awareness, a symbol of hope carried throughout the three days.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮: 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

On the second day, a photography exhibition showcased Rabbi’s captivating works, creating a moving tribute to his creative spirit. The cafeteria's open space came alive with “Gaan Adda,” an unplugged musical session featuring student bands and solo performers. Attendees enjoyed enchanting melodies while enthusiastically contributing to the cause.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

The final day featured an impactful cancer awareness seminar with distinguished speakers, including Dr.Arifur Rahman (Oncologist, Bangladesh Specialized Hospital Ltd.), Dr. M. Mahboob Hossain (Professor, Microbiology, BracU), and Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder (Project Coordinator and Head of Preventive Oncology, Gonoshasthaya Community Based Cancer Hospital). They enlightened students on cancer detection, treatment, and careers in cancer research. The stalls alongside the artwork and photography exhibition continued, and the campus welcomed the band Shironamhin, who also wore yellow ribbons and urged everyone to donate on the final day. As such, donation boxes overflowed with contributions that concluded a successful three-day charity event for Imtiaz Rabbi.

Written by: Nahid Hassan

In October, the BUET CSE Fest Game Jam competition, took place at the ECE Building of BUET. The aim of the competition w...
28/12/2024

In October, the BUET CSE Fest Game Jam competition, took place at the ECE Building of BUET. The aim of the competition was to attract aspiring developers. Among all 15 teams of passionate developers, Arman Ferdous (Junior, CSE) secured the second runner up position in the competition with his game “Define Hero.” Based on the theme “heroes never die,” this competition pushed participants to craft an interpretation of unique heroism.

“Define Hero” sets apart with a unique story where the protagonist is not the hero. The narrative unravels in a city once saved by a hero called Dalton who was immortal. He turned against the very people he had protected once. Players are shoved into a quest to redefine heroism by defeating Dalton. The game stands out for its innovative approach with its retro 2D top-down design, stealth mechanics and elements that solve puzzles. The journey to success wasn’t easy. He utilised his programming skills and mastered concepts like raycasting shaders and enemy AI within a week despite being new with Godot game engine. He admits that his greatest challenge in this process was pixel art but his passion for developing games made this possible, specifically in crafting the climactic fight with Dalton.

Arman recollects the joy of completing his game and being recognised by talented developers. His admiration towards gaming technology deepened through this experience and now inspires him to experiment with the evolution of game development. Regarding this achievement he said, “I believe taking a less obvious interpretation of the theme helped my game stand out.” Upon asking, he advised the younger developers to start something simple, learn unconventional techniques and develop their pattern gradually. This accomplishment of Arman Ferdous is the evidence of hard work and inspires others to pursue their passion.

Written by: Hasin Esrak

Stuck at uni from dawn till dusk, clueless about where to get a proper, budget-friendly meal that actually kills those r...
27/12/2024

Stuck at uni from dawn till dusk, clueless about where to get a proper, budget-friendly meal that actually kills those rats running in the tummy? Can’t imagine lunch without rice? Fear not! The second course of BracU Express presents “Foodie Finds at BracU" is here to save the day by showing you lunch spots you might or might not have spotted.

To go to the first two places you don't even have to walk far. Just if you go up the stairs that’s in front of the pocket gate there are two places you can have lunch items. On the left hand side upon entering we have ‘Bite delight’ with their tehari out on display. Along with their snack items they have options for lunch like their ‘student meal’ for 180tk that includes fried rice, chicken chili, and vegetables. Well, their display says they also have chicken and beef tehari for lunch. Next door, ‘Chipichapa’ famous ‘Handi’ serves hearty meals like chicken or beef with polao, khichuri, or plain rice starting at 100tk. The portions are generous, and the homely flavors are a hit with students with an in-person student survey rating it 10/10. If you're not too keen on venturing far from uni, this is perfect for you.

Walking out of the pocket gate and after escaping Helen aunty there is one cart with a unique twist: fried rice sold by weight! At 20tk for 100 grams, you can customize your portion and pair it with BBQ chicken, wings, or shashlik priced between 20tk-60tk. It’s perfect for a quick, affordable meal, though you’ll need to stand or take it to go.

For more variety, you can head to Food Valley. On the first floor, Robin Biryani House offers delicious khichuri, polao, and tehari meals from 60tk-120tk, with great taste and portions. The adjective is not only our words, the customers did rate it a 9.5/10. Upstairs, Tong Dokan serves chicken fried rice (60tk) but there isn't a lot of options to pair the rice with aside from BBQ wings (90tk/6pcs) and chicken lollipop (120tk/6pcs), which makes the accumulative price less budget-friendly. Tripti offers rice bowls priced at 130tk-150tk—good value with decent flavors. From personal experience with one of their rice bowls, the pricing felt fair given the generous portion size. While the chicken leaned slightly toward the drier side, the accompanying salad added a refreshing balance, so I think we could forgive that. A personal rating would be 8/10. Lastly, 'Elysia Eats' offers a diverse range of fried rice meals priced between 99tk and 250tk. Their menu includes intriguing options like Korean and Naga fried rice paired with various sides, making it an excellent spot for those looking to explore unique flavors.

But if you are an old school person who is craving to eat in the traditional way, cross Food valley to enter “Khushbu” in the new chipichapa to get served an earthen plate-load of steaming khichuri, polao or fried rice with lots of options to pair those with. Next to that we have Meat Up with a very friendly warm host who serves love on a plate in appropriate amounts and in a comfortable budget of 100/= to 200/= at most.

If you’re up for a short walk, “Jafran Khacchi House” is a crowd favorite for its flavorful beef khacchi, priced at just 140tk along with its polao, tehari and khichuri, is located just past food valley and a left followed by a right turn. It’s highly recommended if you’re craving a more traditional feast and/or to fulfill your midday khacchi cravings with a solid 9.5/10 meal.
Now, shifting focus to the main gate of BracU—step out and take a short stroll to the left toward ‘Lava Java,’ and you’ll soon spot the charmingly popular ‘The Ruti Ghosh.’ This serves fried rice platters(120-199tk), khichuri packages (250-320tk), and plain rice with a variety of sides, though the prices are on the higher side (150-290tk). But if you’re in the mood to splurge, their food won’t disappoint. The rating is 9.5/10.

For a more classic vibe, ABC Restaurant is the place to be. A short walk straight from The Ruti Ghosh leads you to here, with an inviting display of snack items at the front. From plain rice to khichuri and naan, their meals are budget-friendly, tasty, homey, feel good and satisfying. Bonus: their tea is a hidden gem and a must-try. The restaurant is rated at 8/10 but from a personal opinion, the tea itself was 10/10.

Written by: Faria Alam & Antara Raida Huq

The final round of Extendiars, a research-based presentation competition organized by the BRAC University Research for D...
26/12/2024

The final round of Extendiars, a research-based presentation competition organized by the BRAC University Research for Development Club - ReD, occurred on December 23rd. The event, divided into two segments: idea presentation and poster presentation, was a daylong event.

With over 58 registrations, the initial rounds required the applicants to submit an abstract of their idea and a poster/slides on how to make Bangladesh a more sustainable living space. Of them all, 13 were selected for the final round, which the esteemed faculties of BRAC University judged. Each team presented their ideas in a very informative way to the research enthusiast audience and was then asked thoughtful questions about their ideas, helping them receive constructive feedback. Some ideas even received the encouragement to be presented to the university authorities based on their promise of effectiveness, attention to detail, and alignment with SDGs. This was followed by the poster presentation segment judged by the Advisor and Co-advisor of the club, Md. Saif Kabir (Lecturer, OAA), where the remaining teams presented their ideas of a viable Bangladesh as a colorful, informative illustration.

The prize-giving ceremony began at 4 PM, with the honorable registrar, Dr. Dave Dowland, as the chief guest. Everyone thanked BUReD for inspiring limitless solutions that create lasting change. With “Shrek4” emerging as the winner of the Idea presentation segment and “Eco-Feast” in the poster presentation segment, the event brought the curtains down with promises of a better and more impactful second season with life-changing solutions.

Written by: Faria Alam
Photos by: Maliha Rahman

BRACU Express  presents you with the best Christmas movies to make your holiday season magical. From timeless classics t...
25/12/2024

BRACU Express presents you with the best Christmas movies to make your holiday season magical. From timeless classics to modern gems, these films are packed with heart, humor, and holiday cheer. Snuggle up and let the festive spirit shine! Happy watching, happy holidays!

Written by: Friyana Zaman
Designed by: Nushin Tarannum Ibshar

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