English Carnival 2026 Celebrates the Department of English's 16th Anniversary: Words for the Planet, Actions for Tomorrow
Theme: Words for the Planet, Actions for Tomorrow
The Department of English, University of Asia Pacific (UAP) marked its 16th anniversary by hosting a vibrant two-day English Carnival 2026 featuring a diverse range of academic, cultural, and creative activities that celebrated the richness of the department.
Day One: Inaugural Ceremony of the English Carnival 2026
The carnival commenced on 23 September 2026, Wednesday, with an inaugural ceremony and a series of academic and creative events. The inaugural ceremony began at 9:50 AM in the presence of the Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, Hon’ble Acting Vice Chancellor of UAP, Special Guest Prof. Dr. Bijoy Lal Basu, Professor, Department of English, University of Dhaka, faculty members, students, alumni and representatives of the university administration and Public Relation Department Office. The session was chaired by Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, and conducted by Assistant Professor Dr. Abu Sufian and Assistant Professor Ms. Keya Chakraborty. The ceremony opened with a welcome address by the Head of the Department. In his address, Mr. Chowdhury described the Carnival as a celebration of the Department’s journey, achievements, relationships, and aspirations. He also highlighted three distinguished alumni who would be recognized during the Carnival: Ms. Rokshana Iqbal Joya, now an Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise, after qualifying in two consecutive BCS examinations; Mr. Imamul Muttakin, a PhD scholar in English Literature at the University of Kerala and a recipient of a fully funded ICCR Scholarship; and Mr. Shaikh Reza Haider, who completed his MBA from IBA, University of Dhaka. Their achievements, he noted, are a source of pride for the Department and an inspiration to its students. The special guest, Prof. Dr. Bijoy Lal Basu, delivered his remarks, highlighting the significance of such carnivals in fostering students’ communication and soft skills. The chief guest, Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, then formally announced the inauguration of the event and extended his best wishes for the successful completion of the celebration. Adding a special cultural dimension to the inauguration, along with the students two faculty members, Ms. Subrina Islam and Ms. Sumaiya Jahan Shoshi, jointly performed a Tagore song. The ceremony concluded with a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony following a special video screening and the soft launch of the department’s website. A crest of appreciation and a certificate were presented to Samiul Alam Shajal in recognition of his contribution to the development of the website.
Research Seminar at the Carnival: Following the inauguration ceremony, a research seminar titled ‘Fundamentals of Research in English Language and Literary Studies’ was held at the UAP Auditorium. The session was organized as part of the 10th Edition of CPAD Symposium of the Department of English, UAP which featured Professor Dr. Bijoy Lal Basu, Department of English, University of Dhaka, as the Keynote Speaker. Dr. Basu shared valuable insights into different aspects of research in English language and literary studies, focusing on research approaches, academic inquiry and the development of meaningful research practices. The session was moderated by Dr. Abu Sufian, Assistant Professor, Department of English, UAP. The seminar was highly interactive which had a Q/A session. Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, UAP, presented a crest of appreciation to the Keynote Speaker as a gesture of gratitude for his valuable contribution. The inauguration ceremony of English Carnival 2026 was graced by Hon’ble Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan as the Chief Guest and chaired by Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, UAP. Faculty members, students and alumni participated in the program with great enthusiasm.
Extempore Speech Final Competition: As part of the celebration, the Public Speaking and Debate Club (PSDC) of the Department of English organized the much-anticipated Extempore Speech Final Competition on 23 September 2026, Wednesday, at the UAP Auditorium. The event was held from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, with Kishore Alo serving as the media partner. The final round featured 10 finalists, selected through the earlier stages of the competition, with participants representing academic levels. The topics covered contemporary educational, technological and environmental concerns, including ‘Pink Bus: Too Late or Too Soon?’, ‘Education beyond Classroom,’ ‘Can Individual Actions Really Save the Planet?’ ‘Can Technology Replace Human Creativity?’ and so on. The judging panel consisted of Dr. Afroza Aziz Suchana, Associate Professor, Department of English, and Istiaq Nur Muhit, Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Science and Humanities and Convener of the Central PSDC Club. On the second day of the carnival, 24 September 2026, the winners of the Extempore Speech Final Competition were announced. Samaita Rahman secured first place, Alif Amina Ivy secured second place, and Subaita Tasnim secured third place. The winners and the finalists received certificates and magazines from the media partner, Kishore Alo. The program concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to the judges by PSDC Convener Ms. Tasmiah Aktar, along with the club’s faculty members Dr. Tanzia Siddiqua, Assistant Professor and Ms. Mumyaja Mohammad, Lecturer.
PSAC Meeting with the Alumni Regarding UAP English Curricula: The Program Self-Assessment Committee (PSAC) arranged a meeting with the alumni to discuss the Proposed Curriculum of the Department of English on September 23, 2026 at 3.30 PM. The event was led by Ms. Ismat Zarin, Assistant Professor where the alumni expressed their opinions regarding the current curriculum and ways to modify the curriculum for future. The meeting was a necessity to provide clear learning goals, meet learners’ need based on the current times and for the future, support assessments and ensure consistency in teaching and learning. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Department and the existing faculty members along with the alumni and current students.
Film Screening: As part of the carnival, the Lens and Literary Society of the Department of English, University of Asia Pacific (UAP), organized a film screening of the critically acclaimed film Dead Poets Society on 23 September 2026, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the UAP Auditorium. It was arranged by the Convener Sifatur Rahim and Ms. Sumaia Jahan Shoshi, Lecturer of the Department of English. The screening was attended by students and faculty members of the department who remained deeply engaged throughout the film. The remarkable performances of the actors, particularly Robin Williams in the role of John Keating, brought the emotional and literary dimensions of the story vividly to life. The screening provided the students with an opportunity to experience literature through cinema and to engage with questions surrounding the purpose of education, the role of teachers, individual freedom, and the enduring relevance of poetry. In this sense, the event complemented the broader spirit of English Carnival 2026, which seeks to create spaces where students can explore literature and language through creative, cultural, and intellectually engaging experiences.
Photography Exhibition ‘Echoes of Earth: Nature and Urban Life Through My Lens’: The Lens and Literary Society organized a photography exhibition titled ‘Echoes of Earth: Nature and Urban Life Through My Lens’ at the University of Asia Pacific on 23-24 September at the UAP Plaza. Our Honorable Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, and the Head of the English Department Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, and Special Guest Bijay Lal Basu visited the exhibition. Convener Sifatur Rahim and Ms. Sumaia Jahan Shoshi, Lecturer were present, who presented souvenirs and a copy of Kishor Alo as a token of appreciation. We are delighted to have Kishor Alo as our media partner. Our top three finalists were Mahfuzur Rahman Mahi, Kazi Meher Jannat Loba, and Rianur Islam Hamim, with an Honorable Mention from Alumni, S M Roqunuzzaman. Photographs were judged by Afra Anam Saba, Lecturer, Department of Architecture, and Saimun Rahman Prattay, Assistant Professor, Department of English. They presented the awards on 24 September at the prize-giving ceremony.
Day Two
The second day of the English Carnival 2026 was held on 24 September 2026, Thursday, with Cosplay Competition, Poster Presentation, Prize Giving Ceremony and Aurora: The Freshers’ Induction Program.
Cosplay Competition: The Cosplay Competition brought the students together with a shared interest in literature, creativity, and performance. The competition gave students an opportunity to step into the world of literature by dressing up as canonical characters of their choice. The stage featured a range of literary figures, from Shakespeare’s Portia and Lady Macbeth to Biblical Angel of Fire, Seraph with their costumes and performances, the participants presented their own interpretations of these well-known literary figures, bringing them to life in an engaging and entertaining way. The competition was judged by Niger Afroz, Assistant Professor, and Ismat Zarin, Assistant Professor of the Department of English. The participants’ creative costumes and lively performances were well received by the audiences. At the end of the competition, Afrin Noor secured first place by portraying Cassandra from Agamemnon. while Sharly Jahan Prith received second place by presenting Belinda from The Rape of the Lock and Sayeema Jannat achieved third place by portraying Portia from The Merchant of Venice. The event came to a close with appreciation for the participants, whose creativity and enthusiasm brought some of literature’s most memorable characters to life on stage. The Cosplay Competition event added many memorable moments to the celebrations of English Carnival 2026.
Poster Presentation: The poster competition showcased a diverse range of interdisciplinary research. The judging panel comprised of Dr. Tanzia Siddiqua, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Dr. Md. Mujib Ullah, Assistant Professor, Department of English, and Nurul Ahad, Assistant Professor, Department of English. The event started around 11:30 AM where 8 posters were presented by the existing students of the department. Three posters focused primarily on literature, three explored linguistic dimensions, while two adopted hybrid or interdisciplinary approaches. Ayesha Tabassum Kabir and Rushaba Fatama secured the 1st place, Manashi Banerjee Tithi and Md. Hafizur Rahman secured second place, and Nusrat Jahan and Farisa Hossain secured third place.
Essay Writing Competition: An Essay Writing Competition was held as part of the English Carnival, on the second day of the two-day program. The competition featured an essay writing on the nature of democracy as a political system and the participants were given 30 mins to complete their essays. Three winners were selected by an esteemed panel of judges, Dr. Abu Sufian and Dr. Sadia Afrin Shorna. The writing competition was overseen by Nurul Ahad, Assistant Professor and Advisor of the English Language Club and supported by a team of volunteers. The winners were; Saminita Rahman (1st Place), Nafisa Tabassum Reedy (2nd Place), and Ayesha Tabassum Kabir (3rd Place). The aim of the competition was to give students an opportunity to not just compete with other students in writing but challenge them in thinking critically about such a topical matter as democracy and its many modalities. The winners were recognized with certificates and crests at the closing ceremony of the carnival.
The Prize-Giving and Closing Ceremony of the English Carnival 2026: The Department of English, University of Asia Pacific, successfully concluded its English Carnival 2026 with a Prize-Giving and Closing Ceremony held on 24 September 2026 at 4:00 PM at the UAP Auditorium. The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest Professor Dr. M. A. Baqui Khalily, Dean, School of Humanities, University of Asia Pacific and Special Guest Professor Tahmina Ahmed, Department of English, University of Dhaka. The event was chaired by Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English, University of Asia Pacific. The program began with a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and attendees, followed by the recognition of three distinguished alumni of the Department, Shaikh Reza Haider, Imamul Muttakin, and Rokshana Iqbal Joya, through the Distinguished Alumni Award. The highlight of the closing ceremony was the Prize-Giving segment. The Chief Guest, Special Guest, Chair, and respective judges participated in presenting certificates and crests of appreciation to the winners and participants. The contribution of the judges, who evaluated the competitions and supported the students throughout the carnival, was also formally acknowledged. The ceremony concluded with a Closing Vote of Thanks, delivered on behalf of the Chair by Ms. Sumaia Jahan Shoshi, Lecturer, Department of English. Special acknowledgement was extended to the conveners and organizing members of the collaborating clubs; Cultural Club: Ms. Sabrina Islam, Mr. Sifatur Rahim, Ms. Sumaia Jahan Shoshi, and Ms. Fairooz Zakir Pritha, EDRISAGE Club: Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor and Head of English Department and Dr. Abu Sufiyan, Public Speaking and Debate Club: Ms. Tasmiah Akter, Dr. Tanzia Siddiqua, and Ms. Mumyaja Muhammad, Lens and Literary Society: Mr. Sifatur Rahim and Ms. Sumaia Jahan, English Language Club: Mr. Nurul Ahad, Dr. Tanzia Siddiqua, Ms. Nusrat Hossain. The Vote of Thanks also recognized the dedicated contributions of the executive and sub-executive members, volunteers, faculty members of the Department of English, students, DAO and staff members, IT Department, Public Relations Department, and Auditorium staff.
Aurora: The Freshers’ Induction Program: The Freshers’ Reception, ‘Aurora,’ for Batch 33 was organized by Batch 1.2, Obsidian 32, with the support of the Cultural Committee as the final segment of the overall Carnival. The program was arranged to warmly welcome the new students and create a memorable beginning to their university journey. The organizers worked collaboratively to complete the necessary preparations, including venue decoration, stage arrangement, and coordination of performances and activities. The program began at 5:30 PM with the arrival and reception of the freshers, followed by a warm welcome from the organizers. On behalf of the Head, Dr. Afroza Aziz Suchana, Associate Professor, Department of English, delivered a welcoming speech to the freshers and encouraged them to focus on their academic development and make the most of their university experience. The program also included introductions of teachers, interactive and cultural activities. In addition, a thrilling horror was played titled ‘The Last Visitor’ was performed by the students, adding an exciting dimension to the program. As the concluding segment of the Carnival, the Freshers’ Induction Program successfully brought the overall celebration to a meaningful close.
With this, the English Carnival 2026 marks its closure to provide a platform for academic learning, creativity and intellectual engagement among the UAP English community with its words and actions for tomorrow.