Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam
Vice Chancellor, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

TDS: What makes your university the ideal choice for prospective students?

Saiful Islam (SI): The university has a beautiful campus with a sufficient number of multimedia projector-equipped classrooms and well-equipped laboratories for each of the science and technology-based departments. For non-engineering departments, laboratory facilities are provided wherever necessary. The laboratories are equipped with multimedia projectors. All of these rooms are fully air-conditioned. Internet Wi-Fi connections are available throughout the campus.

The university has a sufficient number of experienced teachers in all the departments. The university has good library and reading space facilities. Indeed, the university has a superb teaching and learning environment. Cafeteria facilities are available for both students and teachers. Outdoor seating arrangements are placed at different locations on campus for the relaxation of students. The university has one fully equipped auditorium and three multipurpose hall rooms for international conferences, seminars, large meetings, and various cultural programs. The university also provides playgrounds for different outdoor games and sports. In addition, indoor game facilities are available. A gymnasium equipped with modern fitness equipment is available for students. A swimming pool is also accessible for students. All of these features make the university an ideal choice for prospective students.

TDS: Share details about the programs and courses tailored to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today's dynamic job market. Include how these courses align with industry demands and future trends.

SI: The courses of different programs are periodically updated to keep pace with the continuous changes and evolutions in engineering, technology, and computation, as well as to meet the shifting requirements of industries, the corporate sector, and other employers. Global trends in these subjects are essential factors that are carefully monitored and considered while updating the course syllabus for different subjects.

TDS: Could you tell us about the dynamics of your teaching staff, particularly in areas such as professional development, teaching methods, and research and development? How do these contribute to upholding and enhancing the quality of education at your university?

SI: The university has a strong Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), established as per the mandate of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh and the Ministry of Education Bangladesh, which has been operational since 2015. The IQAC, through its various activities throughout the year, provides necessary training and guidelines on teaching and learning methodologies to faculty members and relevant personnel. This is one of the strongest mechanisms through which the university enhances and upholds the quality of education.

TDS: Can you tell us about the university's research facilities and innovation labs, and their role in fostering innovation, enhancing education, and contributing to societal progress?

SI: The university has always been committed to encouraging both teachers and students to engage in research activities from the very beginning. Initially, this was not an easy task, but the university has now attained significant success in promoting research. Teachers and students in every department are now strongly motivated to participate in research activities. Most faculty members are continuously engaged in research and regularly publish their work in reputed journals. The university authority provides substantial funding for research within its capacity and finances participation in international and national conferences.

TDS: How does the university nurture the inner potential of its students through extracurricular activities such as clubs, job fairs, and competitions?

SI: AIUB has a large number of student clubs that organize various programs throughout the year. Job fairs are held regularly. Various extracurricular activities, including sports events, debates, drama contests, photography competitions, exhibitions, programming competitions, hackathons, project showcases, poster exhibitions, and subject-based competitions, are also hosted by the university. AIUB strongly encourages and supports all these activities, ensuring that students have opportunities to develop their skills beyond academics.

TDS: Could you provide an overview of tuition fees, along with details of scholarships and waivers offered by the university and other initiatives aimed at supporting students in achieving their academic goals?

SI: Scholarships are provided in different categories, following the guidelines of UGC and the government. Apart from these, scholarships are also granted, after proper evaluation, to students who unexpectedly face financial hardships due to family crises or other difficulties.