The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) has concluded its 12th Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition, a two-day event organised by the Department of English and Humanities (DEH) on August 13-14, 2026.
Held under the theme “Money Talks: Consumerism and Capitalism in Literature and Language”, the conference brought together students from 27 public and private universities across Bangladesh, reads a press release.
The event featured academic presentations, a cultural and cosplay competition, an extempore speech competition and an art competition.
Shamsad Mortuza, vice chancellor of ULAB, attended the event as the chief guest. In his speech, Shamsad commended the students for their creativity and encouraged them to refine their talents and apply them in practical, real-world contexts.
He noted that creativity, when pursued with diligence, can be a pathway to success for anyone.
Shamsad also praised ULAB for sustaining the event for 12 years, fostering creativity and cultural engagement among students.
Special Guest Azfar Hussain, ULAB’s Summer Distinguished Professor, praised ULAB’s continued efforts. He spoke about the theme and regaled the audience with a dramatic recitation of his poem, “Cash”.
The VC, special guest, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Kaiser Haq, Department Chair Arifa Ghani Rahman and the judges presented awards to the competition winners.
The extempore speeches were judged by Mahruba Mowtushi of BRAC University and Shehreen Ataur Khan of Jagannath University.
Bokhtiar Ahmed of IUB and Tina Nandi, a researcher, writer and translator, adjudicated the academic presentations.
Mohammad Ali Haider, chief executive of BotTala, and Dipty Rahman of AIUB determined the winners of the cultural and cosplay competitions.
Artists Wakilur Rahman and Fareha Zeba judged the art competition. Winners received a crest, a certificate of recognition and prize money.
In the Academic Presentation category, Tasnim Tamanna from East West University secured first place, while Raisa Anan from ULAB was the runner-up. Siyam Ahmed of the University of Dhaka won the Extempore Speech Competition, with Kasfiya Ahsan from United International University as runner-up.
In the Cosplay Competition, Tahsin Zaman Faiza from ULAB emerged as the winner, while Mahinoor Akter Maisha of Presidency University was the runner-up.
In the Cultural Competition, International Standard University secured first place with its play Waiting for Trial, while United International University was the runner-up with The ROI of Death.
Academics from non-participating universities ensured fairness and transparency in the adjudication process.
The annual DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition provides students with a platform for scholarly discourse and creative expression.
This year, 27 public and private universities from across the country participated, showcasing the talent, hard work and creativity of students in the arts and humanities.
