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East West University: A pioneer in sciences, business studies and humanities
Md. Ashequl Islam
8/8/2004
Rushdi is a student of Mastermind School. He is doing his A levels in that prominent school of Dhaka city. He wants to study in a reputed university in the States. He is also preparing himself for both SAT and TOEFL. In case he fails to go to the States mainly due to the September 11 embargo, he will get admitted in a renowned private university in Bangladesh and will later try to transfer credit to a good university of the States or Canada.
These days many students consider studying in a private university is a good alternative for studying abroad. Many even prefer not to go abroad and rather would like to study here in Bangladesh.
To name a very few prominent private universities, one must mention East West University. Located at 45,Mahakhali commercial area, Dhaka, the university with its tall towers would be visible to anyone passing the road that goes from Mahakhali to Gulshan-1. Established in 1996, East West University has been an attractive academia for those who want to complete their post secondary studies within the specified time without any political and other hassles, due to which the campus life of a public university student is usually prolonged for a few more years in many cases. Though East West University does not have a big campus that any public university is blessed with, it is using the best of its resources.
The university offers undergraduate programmes in BBA, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Information and Communication Engineering, Pharmacy, English, Economics. Its graduate progrmmes include MBA, English and Computer Applications.
The university constantly encourages students to take part in extra-curricular activities. Debating Club, Business Club, Photography Club etc. have activities almost throughout the whole year.
Students interested in developing software have scope to be innovative in the university's Software Development Centre (SDC). Being attached with SDC also gives the students a good opportunity for earning .SDC, a brainchild of Syed Aktar Hossain, a senior teacher at East West University, has played major role in automation of registration procedure, Human Resource Management and library of the university. SDC has been selected by BASIS for developing its website focusing on soft export fair to be held in November, 2004. "We provide experience to the students which is required for job," informed Noori, a software engineer working at SDC.
The medical center of the university attended by two full time doctors can take care only in primary levels. This also provides hepatitis B at a subsidized rate. "More often than not, students come to us for counseling on various serious matter involving their personal life",informed Dr.Samina Aktar.
Why is the EWU library overcrowded all the time? The tremendous study pressure makes learners feel safer to stay in the library, be it individual or group study. "Library is the best place to spend time since we do not have a big premises where we could meet and study together or talk about our lessons," commented one student. Is has a ten thousand volume of relevant and up-to-date textbooks. "We are satisfied, but we need more reference books," said Noor and Shazneen. Obviously students rush to the library before exams is an usual scene at East West University. "We face difficulties before exam in getting books and also the library becomes packed," said Tanzina, a student of BBA 6th batch.
Computer lab is another place where students can spend hours in browsing, or preparing their assignments or reports. They can take print outs as much as they need, the only thing they need to have with them is papers. Students usually can work with the computers as long as they need, they seem very satisfied with the service of these labs which have around 200 computers facilitated by university's own VSAT.
The undergraduate students usually attend their classes by day. So they have little chance of doing part-time jobs. "The authority should offer more evening classes for BBA students so that they can do part-time job," commented Munira, a student of BBA at EWU. She is also working in the administration section of Aga Khan School.
The university puts special emphasis on research. Its Centre for Research in Business, Economics and Technology is a platform for prospective researchers and it is open for outsiders as well.
The only open premises East West students can enjoy is the street in the midst of several East West towers . It seems they have been habituated with this space constraint. "In Dhaka, we have been quite adjusted with apartment culture, and we think in East West we also have been accustomed with using elevators with our fellow classmates, gossiping with them in the small passages, and we seldom feel the necessity of a big premises," commented one student.
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