BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum

We, BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum arranged “Recycle & Inspire: Part1 (Online Writing Competition)” some months ago, where students from different institutes of Bangladesh submitted their ideas about Recycling on the context of Bangladesh online. For the competition our honorable judges were; A.K.M. Sirajuddin, Sr. Lecturer of Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Rubayia Sultana, Asst. Professor of Department of Architecture, BRAC University and Aminur Rahman, Asst. Professor of Department of Architecture (PPDM), BRAC University. From the submitted write-ups three write-ups were selected for Best write-ups & one was selected for Honorable Mention.

On October 8 of 2013, we arranged a seminar on recycle and prize giving ceremony, “Recycle & Inspire: Part 1 (Seminar & Prize Giving Ceremony)” especially for the writers of the write-up competition at BRAC University auditorium.

Our Honorable guests were;

• Mr. Shams-il Arefin, Human Resource Coordinator of Waste Concern Bangladesh.
• A.K.M. Sirajuddin, Sr. Lecturer of Department of Architecture, BRAC University.
• Rubayia Sultana, Asst. Professor of Department of Architecture, BRAC University.
• Aminur Rahman, Asst. Professor of Department of Architecture (PPDM), BRAC University.

The Winners of the “Recycle & Inspire: Part 1 (Online Writing Competition)” were;

• Best write-up: Syeda Nishat Naila
• 2nd Best write-up: Rubayet Raihan Rahman
• 3dr Best write-up: Namira Shameem
• Honorable Mention: MD. Kamal Hossain

On this event all the guests shared their thoughtful and informative ideas about recycling and Mr. Shams-il Arefin, Human Resource Coordinator of Waste Concern Bangladesh gave a presentation regarding demographic data of wastes and recycling of Bangladesh and also showed us how “West Concern” is working with the wastes and recycling the wastes. He also explained the opportunity of Bangladesh in Recycling and what will be the impact if we won’t take any step for recycling waste right now. He also showed us a short interview of “West Concern” taken by BBC News where it was clear that “West Concern” is not only working for environment but also for the economy of Bangladesh by producing fertilizers form wastes. We would like to thanks all the guests specially, Mr. Shams-il Arefin, Human Resource Coordinator of Waste Concern Bangladesh for his great presentation which has enriched our knowledge for our future. 

After that we appreciated all the writers who participated in “Recycle & Inspire: Part 1 (Online Writing Competition)” with prizes & certificates. Than we, BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum ended “Recycle & Inspire: Part 1 (Seminar & Prize Giving Ceremony)” with refreshments.

“BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum” who organized and promoted "Exploring Environment of BD:towards effective actions" (Workshop) which was held on 04 May, 2013 at BRAC University Auditorium. It was aninter-institutional workshop. Students from different institutions participatedhere like; BRAC University, North-south University, BUET, East-west University,Dhaka University, Maple Leaf International School etc. The main purpose of thisworkshop was to explore the environmental conditions of Bangladesh.Here we had gone through the issues that how the environment of Bangladesh ischanging, how it is getting polluted, how much it's affecting the citizens, howwe can reduce the pollution etc. There were different specialists who have givenus significant information of the regular environmental occurrence,exploitation and how to reduce them for the betterment of the people. Thediscussion was based on three different elements of environment like land,water, and air. We were supportedby 10:10 Bangladesh,RAIN Forum, and Dhaka University Environment Society & Youth WorkBangladesh.

Honorable guests were :

· ProfessorFuad H Mallick The Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRAC University

· Prof. Dr. Md.Mujibur Rahman, Head of Civil Engineering Department, Bangladesh Universityof Engineering & Technology (BUET)

· Advocate IqbalKabir Lytton of BangladeshEnvironmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

Respected Speakers were :

· Land: S. M. Gubair Bin Arafat, Research Associate, IGS, BRAC University

· Water: AshrafulAlum Ratan, Secretary, RAiN Forum, Bangladesh

· Air: Asif Rahman, Lecturer, MNS Department, BRAC University

Exactly at10.30 am the event was launched by Professor Fuad H Mallick, PhD, Pro-VCof BRAC University. At first Professor Fuad HMallick welcomed our honorable guests and the participants for attending theevent. He stated that after joining as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRACUniversity it was the first event he is attending. After that he shortlydiscussed that how much important is environment for our life and we should beaware for the environment. He encouraged all the participants to think moreabout environment and the pollutions happening around us. At last He appreciated the organizers forarranging this event and also encouraged them for doing more of this kind ofevent so that they can encourage others.

Later on,Professor Dr Mujibur Rahman, the Head ofCivil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering& Technology (BUET) was called upon toshare some his ideas and knowledge. He focused somecrucial issues of environment with a clear-cut comparison withstandard condition. He discussed about how building should be constructedfor the safety of the citizens. He also mentioned the importance of water purewater & water conservation.

At last we called uponAdvocate Iqbal Kabir Lytton of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association(BELA) to share his knowledge where he appreciated the organizers of this eventfor being so punctual and active. In his speech he discussed the legalprospective of the environment. He stated that how people can take legalactions against environmental pollution and infringement of environment law.

After that the main workshopstarted with the presentation of Mr. S. M. Gubair Bin Arafat, the ResearchAssociate, IGS, BRAC University. He discussedthe land pollution of our country. He focused how the land of our country isgetting polluted and loosing its qualities. He also stated how we should beconcerned about the land problems of our country.

After that architect, Ashraful Alam Ratan, theSecretary of Rain Forum, started presentation where he focused on the majorproblems of water of our country. He discussed the water demand, waterscarcity, present circumstances & waterconservation Bangladesh.He stated a slogan "Water is the last hope of life whereas rain water isone of the dependable options" & promoted the “Rain Water Harvestingsystem”. He also stated that how “Rain Water Harvesting system” can be veryeasy to use and how it can help to waterconservation. At last he conducted a little survey among theparticipants on water demand, scarcity& regular usage of water.

Ms. Merel Fuchs from UNV (UnitedNations Volunteer, Bangladesh) was present among uswho conducted "My World. The United Nations Global Survey" and shared her thoughts about thesurvey.

After lunch brake Mr. Asif Rahman,lecturer of MNS department of BRAC University started hispresentation where he discussed about air pollution and the major reasons ofit. He discussed about the major elements of air pollution and its relationwith traffic congestion.

After allthe presentations by the speakers the workshop was ended by giving Certificates to the dedicatedorganizers and the participants and thanking everyone.

Anika Tahgsin Jahan

Vice President

BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum

We the BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum arranged campus cleaning program on 16 March, 2013. Heading of the program was “Campus Cleaning Program Spring’ 13”. At the early morning the members of the forum gathered on the campus and started sweep up the area of main campus. The purpose of the program was to create awareness among the people especially to the students and stuff of BRAC University, they should understand the campus is our second home and it is our responsibility to keep it clean for our own benefits. Many students left their fast food and gum wrappers and toss cigarette butts behind in the parking lots and even on the main campus which is unhealthy for the environment as well as health. We sweep up the campus and put all the garbage in some bags and put those in a drum of garbage. We the members of BRAC University Earth and Environment wore green color t-shirts on the cleaning program which contains the message that ‘New world for new generation’. It gives the message to the people that we should maintain the sustainability of the environment not only for us but for the new generation. While cleaning the campus we received a positive result from the students and stuff, they appreciated us a lot.

Mahdia Mahtarin Chowdhury,

Editorial Secretary,

BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum

We, BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum arranged a seminar “Save the Water Resources” focusing on preserving our priceless resource ‘water’ on November 27, 2012. Architect Ashraful Alum Ratan, who is working with RAIN Forum (Resource Available in Nature) was invited. RAIN Forum is a non-profit voluntary organization concerned with and working towards rainwater harvesting.

At the very beginning of the seminar Mr. Ashraful Alum showed a documentary named “Beautiful Bangladesh”. This documentary was based on information regarding water availability and usage in Bangladesh. Mr. Ashraful Alum talked about water being a valuable resource and the state of this resource in our country. He showed a diagram where he showed every year the problem of lack of water keeps increasing. He spoke of the water crisis emphasizing on Asia. Everyday 4,500 children die in the world and 700 people get sick due to water in our country. He also pointed out some of the problems regarding water such as its increasing demand, sea-level/ocean level/water level of seas and oceans going down, destruction of trees, arsenic levels, etc. Then he discussed how all these problems can be solved by saving rain water.

We have a lot of rainfall in our country. We cannot store all the water that falls on the ground, but whatever we can is a lot of water. Rainwater can be stored in tanks and sumps at home. There are some very simple technologies that will enable us to store and use rainwater. This is known as rainwater harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is a way of saving the rainwater in which rainwater gets collected on the roof and the stored water comes down through the drain. This water can be used in a number of ways apart from drinking such as in toilets for flushing and for watering gardens, washing yards and cars. In 2011 our government made a law where it is stated that it is mandatory for all the new buildings being constructed to have a tank for saving rainwater. After his speech, a question answer session was held where students asked different questions to Mr. Alum

Mahdia Mahtarin Chowdhury,

Editorial Secretary,

BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum

BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum started their journey from Summer’12. They started their journey with some plan which they have wanted to fulfill. In 3rd June of 2012 our club fair was happened and through that fair we officially started our journey. As a first journey of this club we satisfied enough to see the response from the students. Approximately 75 students signed up and when they signed up we informed that our orientation program would be in the next day that means 4th June of 2012. The HR department kept the list of the new members. In the club fair, all phone numbers and E-mail IDs were collected from the Fresher’s.

We planned that how we will organize the orientation program. Then we fixed 4th June for orientation program because 5th June was the World Environment Day and we had almost organized an event for that. That’s why we have to start work quickly. So, we choose 4th June for our orientation program. Then we divided our work to our founding members of our club.

Our President and Vice President invited our honorable Advisors to join us.Then the HR Directors divided the duty of informing Fresher’s between them then they called/ gave message to the Fresher’s about the orientation program. They inform that in which room, when the orientation program would be started. They also inform them through E-mail.

The Admin Director managed the room in which we organize our orientation program. Then we booked a Room: CB 601 for the Orientation. Then our IT tried to make something special for the Orientation. So, they made power point presentation about our club, club members, club fair. As we just started our journey, so we could not show out other activities. So we presented what we did before the orientation program.

Who are in Marketing and Finance sector they estimated what we had to need. They bought those things. They ordered cake on which we mentioned our club’s name. Then they organize some food item for our Fresher’s. This department bought some decorative things to decorate the room.

In 4th June we started our program at 5:00pm after our classes. At 5:00pm Freshers came. At first they were introduced. We all Founding members talked about our club and we wanted to know why they interested about this club. Then they shared their opinion. We gave them some questions where they were asked that for what they join this club. Then we also asked any idea to develop our environment, what they expect from this club etc. Then our guest sir came and joined our program. They started our journey through cutting cake. Then they give some fruitful suggestions to us. They helped us a lot and they also encourage carrying on our work. Then we played PowerPoint presentation. In that program our club members were performed. Some members sang, some presents jokes which were related with environment consciousness. We also share what is the situation about our world environment and share some experiences which are being happened for polluted environment. Then we also invited Freshers to do something. But first they feel hesitation then we randomly called them. Then some Fresher’s present songs, some presented jokes, some presented poem.

Then we have informed our future plan of this club. We have informed that in the next day that means 5th June of 2012 the World Environment Day and for that day what we going to do. We inform all activities about 5th June and we divided activities among them. We have seen that Fresher’s are interested to take initiative. So we divided the works between all the members. We also inform that we do field work and we expect their presence. And end of the program we expect their presence in our all activities.

Our Photographer has picked many photos of all activities of our orientation program. At the end of the program all fresher and members took a photo together. After taking photo we finished our program with some refreshments.

Suparna Banik

HR Director

BRAC University Earth and Environment Forum