Shaping the future: Jude William Genilo on ULAB’s vision for the next decade

What progress has ULAB made towards achieving its goals since its inception? And what is your vision for the next 10 years?

When the University of Liberal Arts and Sciences Bangladesh (ULAB) was founded, we set our sights high: Our goals were focused on providing a world-class liberal arts education that promotes critical thinking, creativity and ethical leadership. We wanted to create an environment where interdisciplinary learning and innovation could flourish, combining global knowledge with our rich local culture.

I am proud to say that we have made significant progress since then. ULAB is now recognized as a forward-thinking institution committed to academic excellence, social responsibility and sustainable development.

Our programs in Communication, Media Studies, English, Humanities and Business have a reputation for effectively integrating theory and practice. This prepares our students to confidently navigate today’s rapidly changing world.

We have also created platforms for meaningful student engagement through research, community service projects, and extracurricular activities that align with their commitment to making an impact on society. Our initiatives, such as the Green Campus Project and research on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscore our commitment to sustainability and ethical leadership.

In addition, our partnerships with local and global institutions have expanded opportunities for both students and faculty, strengthening ULAB’s role in higher education in Bangladesh.

Looking to the future, we envision ULAB emerging as a hub for innovation and thought leadership in South Asia. Over the next decade, we aim to strengthen our research capabilities, expand global partnerships, and influence national and regional policies on pressing issues such as climate change, media literacy, and digital transformation.

We are committed to introducing new teaching methods, such as incorporating artificial intelligence and transmedia storytelling into our curricula to better prepare our future leaders. Ultimately, we strive for ULAB to become a beacon of liberal arts education—not only in Bangladesh but throughout the world—by developing leaders who think critically, act ethically, and work collaboratively to effect positive change.

In what areas do you see the greatest potential for research growth at ULAB? Are there any specific areas or projects that you want to prioritize?

At ULAB, we are excited about the potential for research growth in several areas that respond to both national needs and global challenges. We believe in the power of interdisciplinary learning and focus on areas where innovative, socially responsible research can make a real difference.

Sustainable development and climate change. Bangladesh faces serious climate challenges, making research on sustainable development critical. We are committed to expanding our work in environmental research and climate adaptation by connecting academic research to practical, community-based solutions.

Our partnerships with environmental organizations and initiatives such as the Green Campus Project are key to these efforts.

Media and digital transformation: The digital age brings both opportunities and challenges. Our Media Studies and Journalism department is poised to lead research into digital media, transmedia storytelling, and the ethical implications of AI in journalism.

Given the current political and social changes in Bangladesh, we prioritize exploring how digital platforms can enhance democracy, freedom of expression and media literacy.

Integrating digital humanities and artificial intelligence. We recognize digital humanities as an emerging field and strive to integrate artificial intelligence into various academic disciplines such as literature and history. This will allow us to analyze large data sets, preserve knowledge, and deepen our understanding of the human experience, while studying the impact of AI on creativity and ethics.

Social innovation and entrepreneurship. We are committed to promoting research that supports social entrepreneurship, particularly in solving social, economic and environmental problems. Our goal is to understand how social enterprises can contribute to sustainable development and the empowerment of marginalized communities.

Policy Research and Management. As Bangladesh undergoes complex changes, there is potential for increased research on governance and participatory democracy. We are particularly interested in how digital tools can improve transparency and inclusive participation in an effort to create more accountable political systems.

Over the coming decade, we plan to expand our research initiatives and align our priorities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to become a leading research institution in Bangladesh that promotes social change through interdisciplinary, community-focused research.

What steps is ULAB taking to ensure students gain the skills employers need? Are there any plans for curriculum reforms?

We strive to prepare our graduates for the changing demands of the labor market. Employers today are looking for people who possess critical thinking, adaptability, creativity and digital literacy. To bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs, we are implementing several strategies:

Industry curriculum: We work closely with industry partners to ensure our programs meet market needs. By interacting with employers, industry experts and alumni, we gather valuable information that shapes our curriculum.

This allows our courses to keep up with current trends in areas such as communications, business, technology and environmental studies. We also undertake real-world projects to give students hands-on experience in solving industry problems.

Internship and employment programs: ULAB has partnered with various companies, NGOs and government agencies to offer internship opportunities. This experience is critical for students to apply their knowledge in a professional environment and develop important soft skills such as teamwork and communication.

Our dedicated Career Services department helps students find internships and employment, provides career counseling and professional development workshops.

Development of basic skills: We focus on core skills through our Essential Skills Program (ESP), which includes various modules over four semesters. This program equips students with a well-rounded skill set that goes beyond academics, with an emphasis on soft skills, digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical leadership.

Alumni and industry involvement: We maintain strong connections with our alumni, many of whom go on to successful careers in a variety of industries. We invite them and industry professionals to share their experiences, teach students, and provide insight into industry expectations.

This involvement helps students stay abreast of new trends and build professional networks for future career advancement.

Through these initiatives, we strive to ensure that ULAB graduates not only have the knowledge, but also the skills and experience needed to thrive in today’s job market.