Dhaka College: The Department of English

Prof. Naaz Noman, Head of the Department Department of English Dhaka College

English Department is considered to be one of the most prestigious departments of Dhaka College. This department is the most popular choice among the students seeking admission in honours and masters course. Unlike the English departments of other government and non-government colleges in Bangladesh English department of Dhaka College, Dhaka has a long tradition and a little checkered history. While Dhaka College was established in 1841, it had the English honours course by the early 1890s. Under the then Calcutta University students used to do their honours in English from Dhaka College for more than a couple of decades. It, however, came to a sudden stop in the 1920s.

From the time of the establishment of the college English language and literature was included in the academic curriculum with a view to providing students with a sound and strong foundation in English language and literature.

The distinguished teachers of English department taught the students of HSC and Degree level. Higher Secondary course still exists in Dhaka College, under Dhaka Board. The teachers of the English department teach the students of eleventh and twelfth classes. Emphasis is being given on study of English language to improve the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of the learners. Examinations are taken to assess their improvement and keep record of their performance.

During the early 1980s honours course was resumed under DhakaUniversity with the sincere effort and hard work of the college authority. Very few colleges had English honours course at that time. National University launched honours courses in many of the colleges in Bangladesh and as a result of that in 1997 honours course in English of Dhaka College came under the authority of National University. The department saw the introduction to the MA final course in English a few years later.

The English Department is located in the main building of the College. Distinguished teachers who contributed so much for the success of the department in the earlier years are Prof. Kabir Chowdhury, Prof. Abu Rushd Matinuddin, Professor Golam Yahiya Chowdhury, Prof. Mohammad Noman, Prof. Zobaida Mirza, Prof. Harunur Rashid, Prof. Rezaur Rahman, Prof. Nuruzzaman Chowdhury, Prof. Ayesha Khatoon. Prof. Mariam Begum, Prof. Abdul Hamid Malik and many others. At present almost one thousand students are studying in this department. It offers a Four Year B. A (Honours) and a one year M.A course for the students under National University. In the final examinations the students secure a good number of positions in the merit list. We have an excellent academic atmosphere in the department.

In the English department we have one post for professor, three posts for associate professor, four posts for assistant professor and four posts for lecturer. At present we have ten teachers in the department in regular posts and four other teachers on attachment. All are qualified and dedicated teachers who support and guide the students in all possible ways. We have formed several committee which monitor, evaluate and try to upgrade the academic performance of the students. There is a seminar room with a library which has around four thousand entries. We have a plan to renovate the seminar room and add more books to the library for the benefit of the students. We have a seminar assistant and two peons in the department. The enthusiastic, sincere office staff gives good service to the teachers and the students. We have a computer in the department and most of the work related to admission and examination are done through online.

Along with the prescribed texts the teachers teach the students moral values so that they become good citizens of the country. The universal appeal of the great dramas, novels, poems of English literature enable the students to have a deeper insight into human nature. They can distinguish between right and wrong. This obviously helps them to enlighten the people of their surroundings. Besides academic work the students take part in literary and cultural week of the college every year and bring glory to the department by winning prizes in various cultural activities like debate, essay competition , singing and so on . Students take part in annual sports, football tournament, and cricket tournament every year.

They are also members of BNCC, Rover Scout, and Red Crescent which enable them to be involved in social service. Study tours, picnics and excursion are arranged under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the department and teachers. The students can enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature by observing natural objects during their study tours by visiting places like Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, St. Martin, Nuhash Palli, National Park etc.  We need to find ways of identifying students of promise and of improving the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.

The teachers of the English department try to encourage the students to start working towards their individual goals in their own way from their first day at college. The aim of the teachers is to maximize the potential of the bright and promising students whatever may be their social and cultural background. After the completion of Honours and Masters Courses in English students have good job opportunities. They can serve in both public and private organizations. They become qualified for appearing in the BCS examination. Many join the newspaper and TV channels as journalists.

The enthusiastic and inspiring teachers of English department try to motivate the students to become hard working and attentive to their studies. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. This department has a glorious past. Hopefully this tradition continues and through the devotion, effort, sincerity and punctuality of the teachers and students the Department of English of Dhaka College, Dhaka remains a place of academic excellence. Dhaka College is a great institution and the collective effort of the teachers and the staff will make it even greater.

Faculty Member’ List

Sl. No

Name Designation

1.

Naaz Noman Professor & Head of the Department

2.

Nasreen Hussain Associate Professor

3.

M. Jahangir Hossain Associate Professor

4.

Dipak K. Karmaker Associate Professor

5.

Nehal Ahmed Associate Professor

6.

Puranjay Biswas Associate Professor

7.

Anupama Paul Associate Professor

8.

Fafjana Islam Associate Professor

9.

R. J. M. Fahmida Doris Associate Professor

10.

Tamanna Ferdous Assistant Professor

11.

Monzura Mostofa Assistant Professor

12.

Sonia Chowdhury Lecturer

13.

Nadia Amin Lecturer