IUB inaugurates summer school in Linguistics

The Sasheen Center for Multilingual Excellence (SCMLE) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) proudly marked the commencement of its pioneering Sasheen Summer School in Linguistics (SSS) on Sunday (3 September).

For the first time in Bangladesh, students and community researchers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a comprehensive program from September 3-21, 2023. Seven native speaking researchers, representing languages of Pangkhua, Khumi, Mro, Bawm, Khyang, Chak, and Mandi, have joined the school with 15 student researchers from IUB. This endeavour will comprise two weeks of intensive theoretical and hands-on sessions at IUB, culminating in a week-long field placement to the Bandarban Hill District in Bangladesh's southeast, said a press release.

Under the leadership of Prof. David E. Peterson from Dartmouth College, USA – a renowned expert in Tibeto-Burman languages with a profound connection to Chittagong Hill Tracts languages since 1999 – participants are guaranteed unparalleled mentorship. The formidable team of instructors comprises Dr. Bokhtiar Ahmed and Towhid Bin Muzaffar from IUB, Dr. Shapla Parveen of North South University, Md. Mashrur Imtiaz of Dhaka University, and Dr. Mostafa Rashel from Daffodil International University. Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hasan Khan, Director SCMLE, is curating the summer school besides instructing sessions.

IUB Vice Chancellor Tanweer Hasan, PhD, said, "At IUB we continually strive to break barriers and foster an environment of academic excellence and cultural preservation. The languages of our land tell countless stories, encapsulating our heritage, traditions, and the spirit of our people. Through the efforts of SCMLE and the dedication of our esteemed faculty, resource persons and researchers, we take a step closer to preserving these linguistic treasures for future generations. This initiative embodies IUB's vision for holistic education and research, pushing boundaries and ensuring our legacy in the global academic arena."

Day one of the Summer School offered participants a heartening account of Lelung Khumi's linguistic journey, a principal Khumi consultant, enhanced by Professor Dr. Bokhtiar Ahmed, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at IUB. An enlightening discourse on language documentation's core principles was delivered by Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hasan Khan.

Prof. Khan said, "The Summer School in Linguistics heralds a transformative chapter for linguistic studies in Bangladesh, reinforcing the nation's commitment to preserving and documenting its rich tapestry of languages." 

SCMLE is a IUB centre dedicated to the research, preservation, and documentation of languages, especially those facing extinction. Supported by the benevolent contribution of IUB Trustee Didar A Hussain, SCMLE aims to shape the future of linguistic studies in Bangladesh.