Book Reading Competition is a Flagship Outreach programme run by the British Council Cultural Centre since 2010. Currently, this programme has is operating in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet partnering with more than 100 educational institutions. As a part of this programme, the British Council held Prize Giving Ceremony at two of its partnering universities.
On 18th April 2018, the one of the ceremony took place at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology. Around 490 students participated in Book Reading Competition from their Fall Semester. The winner, Md. Zahid Hasan was awarded with a tab, a winner’s crest and certificate. Rest of the participants received books and certificates.
Jim Pollard, Director of Operations, Bangladesh was present on behalf of the British Council as the Chief Guest to handover these prizes. The Vice Chancellor of BUFT, Prof. Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmed was also present there. On the event, Jim shared his views on reading habit and how it can shape the imagination of the readers and also the importance of it for improving language proficiency. The enthusiast readers were delighted to receive these prizes.
The Book Reading Competition Prize Giving Ceremony of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh took place at their campus on 19th April 2018. More than 300 students of their summer and fall semesters sat for the assessment and won British Council Library memberships, tabs, crests, books and certificates. The winner of summer semester’s programme, Mr. Tazmim Hossain was awarded with a tab, winner crest and a certificate and the winner of fall semester, Mr. Salman Ul Islam received British Council Library membership, winner crest and a certificate.
To handover this award, Kirsty Crawford, Program Director of Libraries Unlimited represented the British Council and the Vice Chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Professor H. M. Jahirul Haque were also present on the day. Before the prize giving, Kirsty gave a short speech describing the significance of literature in developing strong basis for better understanding and mutuality between the UK and Bangladesh. She said, “Literature forms a key part of our programme, and we believe that through literature we can support the development of a stable and inclusive society which promotes freedom of speech, dialogue and critical thinking.”
It aims to create access to “Best of British” resources, develop reading habit in English, help acquire language skill among young learners and adult students and finally to promote “Reading is fun”.