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BRAC Institute of Governance and Development BRAC University

Monthly Updates, July 2014

Inauguration of BIGD Premises By Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG

Sir

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG during inaugurating the office premise of BIGD on 24th July 2014

On 24th July 2014, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG, Founder Chairperson of BRAC formally inaugurated the premises of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University. Among others, Dr. Syed Saad Andaleeb, newly appointed Vice Chancellor, BRAC University; Muhammad Sahool Afzal, Major General (Retd.), newly appointed Registrar, BRAC University; Dr Ahmed Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, Vice-Chairperson, BRAC were also present at the ceremony. Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman and the Executive Director and other staff members of BIGD were also present at the ceremony.

BIGD Researchers Attended Summer School for

Social Science Research Method in Singapore

BIGD Researchers SM Gubair Bin Arafat and Afrina Islam at the Summer School on Social Science Research

Method in Singapore

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BIGD Researchers SM Gubair Bin Arafat and Afrina Islam attended the Summer School on Social Science Research Methods, jointly organised by 3rd Annual International Political Science Association and Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore from June 29 to July 12, 2014. In this summer school, around 200 participants from more than 20 countries, such as: Pakistan, USA, Ukraine, Australia, Singapore, China, Brazil, India etc. participated in 9 methods courses, most of whom were PhD candidates and researchers. Teaching methods in the summer school included lectures, group works, individual field study, assignments and open discussion. As part of evaluation process assignments, individual consultation and a time bound exams were conducted.

BIGD Researcher’s Field Visit to Satkhira

BIGD Researcher Farhana Razzaque conducting an interview in Satkhira District

BIGD Researcher Farhana Razzaque along with Communications Assistant Mahudul Alam Talukder, visited Dhulihor and Nagarghata Union of Satkhira District from 15- 18 August 2014. During this field trip, they conducted several meetings, key informant interviews (KII) and informal discussions with local people and authorities in order to collect relevant information and data for the purpose of research. The purpose of this trip was to collect information for an upcoming working paper titled ‘Citizen Engagament in Union Parishad Procurement’.

BIGD Lead Researcher Attended a

Workshop on Gender at IDS, Sussex University, UK

BIGD Lead Researcher Dr. Sohela Nazneen attended a workshop on Gender, Power and Sexuality: Stories of Influence on July 9 and 10, 2014 at Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex. The workshop was organised by IDS, Sussex University. The workshop brought together researchers to compare and present their experiences of policy influencing. Dr. Nazneen presented the experience of Centre for Gender and Social Transformation (CGST) advocacy work in incorporating unpaid care agenda into the National Action Plan for Women drafted by the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWCA) in Bangladesh.

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CIPS Examinations Held in July 2014

The exam candidates under Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) course during their examinations

in July 2014 The July examinations of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) were held in BIGD, BRAC University from 21 to 23 July 2014. A total of 47 participants from public sector, such as- LGED, Roads and Highways, PWD, BWDB, REB, Titas Gas, FAPAD, BADC etc. attended in the examinations. In addition, another 40 participants from private sector also appeared for the examinations. As the only exam centre of CIPS in Bangladesh, BIGD has organized the exam at BRAC University.

BIGD Head of Research Attended a Workshop in Tokyo Dr. Minhaj Mahmud, Head of Research, BIGD, BRAC University attended an inception workshop on a book project titled ‘Bangladesh Miracle and Challenges: It’s Economic and Social Development’. This workshop was organised by JICA Research Institute (JICA-RI) based in Tokyo, Japan on July 18th 2014. Dr. Minhaj Mahmud was an invited guest at this workshop.

BIGD Executive Director’s Attended 5th IGC-ISI India Development Policy Conference

BIGD Executive Director Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman attended the 5th IGC-ISI India Development Policy Conference: Environment, Energy, Urbanisation and Infrastructure on 16th and 17th July 2014. Dr. Rahman attended a pre-conference event titled ‘Emerging Challenges: Economic and Social’ on the evening of 16th July 2014 to mark the two-year anniversary of 'Ideas for India' an economics and policy portal run by International Growth Centre (IGC) India Central. The panel of discussants comprised of Abhijit Banerjee, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of

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Technology (MIT) and Mukul Kesavan, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi and the discussion was moderated by Ashok Kotwal, Editor-in-Chief, Ideas for India. The event was held at Hotel Le Meridian, New Delhi, India. Later on 17th July, Dr. Rahman chaired a session at the workshop on Environment, Energy, Urbanisation and Infrastructure. The discussants at the session included Mr. Arunish Chawla Joint Secretary, Dept. of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India. The presenters at the session were Mr. Jacob Shapiro, Assistant Professor, Princeton University and Mr. Samuel Stolper, Ph.D. Candidate, Harvard Kennedy School. Publications by BIGD Staffs OpEDs

1. The Millennium Post of New Delhi: A Tale of the Sectarian Insanity by Sarwar Jahan

Chowdhury, Head of Operations, 13th July 2014.

2. Dhaka Tribune: Our Democratic Fallacy by Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury , Head of Operations ,

16th July 2014

3. The Daily Star: Anomalies in district hospitals by Syeda Salina Aziz, Senior Research

Associate and Farhana Razzaque, Research Associate, 24th July 2014