Feature

Face to Face with Prof. Munir Khasru at Star Campus

Sarah Z H

LIKE every other get-together arranged by Star Campus, this adda too began with commendable grins and rounds of introductions on the part of the participants. The editor of the magazine, Shahnoor Wahid along with his team members welcomed all the participants to join a worthwhile experience of a free for all discussion in The Daily Star office on 28th April. Our guest for the month was none other than Prof. Syed Munir Khasru of IBA.

Mr. Khasru speacializes in teaching Communication and Marketing. He is a Fulbright Scholar who did his MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania which is considered the premier business school of US. He is the Moderator of the IBA Communication Club as well as the Selection Committee of the University of Dhaka for English Debate. He is a freelance contributor to the English dailies and writes on a wide range of issues.

Prof. Shaheen Kabir and Asrar Choudhury of Jahangirnagar University were also present in the session. Students from Dhaka University, Institute of Business Administration ( DU), North South University, East West University, BRAC University, Independent University Bangladesh, Ahsanullah University, ULAB, Jahurul Islam Medical College (Bajitpur), Jahangirnagar University and other noted institutes attended the session. The discussion took a turn concerning national issues at the very outset. Soon all the discussants were busy expressssing their ideas on this very topic, which rendered many debatable aspects. He drew the attention of the audience by chucking the question of 'what do the young people think is holding us back?' Prof. Munir Khasru, being an accomplished debater himself, could easily and skillfully handle all the viewpoints that came from the students. It was indeed a battle of wits all around.

As a detection of his own findings he said that it is our practice of saying things we do not mean and being untrue to ourselves and to those around us is the cause of the sorry state we are in today. The young students came up with varied but thought-provoking answers. Some suspected that it is the lack of foresight that is holding our country back. Others believed that in most cases existing problems are not perceived properly, a tendency more commonly known as the 'Ostrich mentality'. Some of the students pointed out that we are cynical about almost everything and not open to new possibilities.

Corruption topped the list of vile according to some, Prof.Shaheen Kabir supposed that it might as well be the economic difference and the lack of education that is holding us back. After a 'heated' conversation regarding the problems that are not letting us advance as a nation every one felt the need to talk about solutions. The first thing mentioned by Prof. Munir Khasru that should act as a forestep is putting a stop to intellectual corruption. The guest speaker also boldly pointed out that there is worst form of corruption prevalent in the country. It is sometimes deadlier than financial corruption.

He also urged the young community of students to come forward in taking their education to a level that would contribute to the country. The young people should challenge the premises because they do not have energy limitations. Later the dialogue was diverted on a different trail that led to the fact of choosing leaders for future leadership of the country. Many examples and experiences were shared by both the organisers and the participants of the session. Prof.Munir Khasru talked about how we fail to recognise the understanding and the estimation of the common people. As we thrashed out the ins and outs of leadership and the basic qualities of a leader, we all agreed on one thing, which is, it should always start with ourselves. We can lead by setting examples and thus personalise leadership.

We should speak out whenever we see something is amiss even when it does not involve us at all. The SC editor wanted to know who had become voters this year and congratulated them hoping that they would actively participate in the future voting process. The session ended with vows and urges as we all strapped our hearts with promises of not accepting our own degradation and being consistent to our faith and practice.

Star Campus expresses gratitude to Prof. Munir Khasru for joining the adda as the main speaker and guide the discussion in his brilliant way to make them so interesting and educative at the same time. Star Campus is also thankful to Prof. Shahin Kabir and Prof. Asrar Islam for attending the session and taking part in the discussion.