The Department of English Studies of State University of Bangladesh (SUB) has inaugurated its newly established Language Lab and organised a Storytelling Competition, marking an initiative to strengthen students’ language learning and communication skills.

The Language Lab was formally inaugurated by Prof Dr Md Hassan Kawsar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university. Dr Ahmed Hossain, Registrar; Prof Mohammad Ali Naqi, Dean of the School of Science and Technology; Prof Dr Md Anower Hussain, Acting Dean of the School of Health Sciences; Prof Dr K M Anwarul Islam, Dean of the School of Business and Social Studies; Md Rezaul Islam, Chairman of the Department of English Studies; along with faculty members and students, attended the ceremony.

Following the inauguration, students participated in a Listening Contest, becoming the first users of the newly established Language Lab. The competition provided students with an opportunity to apply the facility’s resources while demonstrating their listening proficiency and overall language competence.

The Storytelling Competition was subsequently held at the Scholars’ Lounge, where 19 students from different batches of the department showcased their creativity, confidence and communication skills through storytelling performances.

Addressing the audience, Prof Dr Md Hassan Kawsar described storytelling as one of the oldest and most effective forms of communication and an integral part of human life. Highlighting the importance of effective communication, he said the power of eloquence can make a person memorable and encouraged the Department of English Studies to organise similar competitions on a larger scale in the future.

The competition began with a welcome address by Hafsa Ahmmed, President of the English Department Club-SUB. The storytelling performances were evaluated by Paren Chandra Barman, Associate Professor of the Department of English Studies; Shah Reza M Fahad Hossain, Assistant Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and H M Rezwan Ahmed, a distinguished alumnus of the department.

In the Storytelling Competition, Tehjib Mahjabin Shuchi of Batch 56 emerged as champion, while Karima Akter of Batch 61 became the first runner-up and Md Jahidul Hoque of Batch 64 secured the second runner-up position.

In the Listening Contest, Md Jahidul Hoque of Batch 64 secured first place, followed by Mst Fariya Yeasmin Mim of Batch 61 in second place and Mrs Sanjida Rahman Sumona of Batch 57 in third place.

The programme concluded with a prize-giving ceremony, where distinguished guests presented awards to the winners of both competitions. Delivering the vote of thanks, Paren Chandra Barman expressed appreciation to Md Imdadul Ali, Vice President of the English Department Club-SUB, for his dedicated efforts in organising the event.

The Department of English Studies expressed gratitude to the guests, faculty members, students, organisers, participants and volunteers whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the programme.

The newly inaugurated Language Lab is expected to strengthen students’ listening, speaking and pronunciation skills, as well as their overall communicative competence, while supporting innovative and practice-oriented language learning at the university.