S.M. Shakib and Mashraba Naziat are fourth year students at the Department of Law, Bangladesh University of Professionals. Beginning as a member of the BUP Law and Moot Court Club (BUPLMCC), they now have the baton of the club’s leadership as the President, and the General Secretary respectively. On the occasion of their assumption of office, Nazmul H Rocky, Assistant General Secretary, takes an exclusive interview focusing on their vision and dream for the club during their tenure.
Interviewer: Congratulations on your assuming the office of the President. How do you feel now that you have taken over the leadership of BUPLMCC?
Shakib: We have been associated with BUPLMCC since the beginning of our undergrad life. The journey from a general member to leading this club will be one of my cherished memories forever. We are enthralled by this new opportunity and looking forward to taking off from where our previous panel left by following in their footsteps.
Interviewer: As I am informed, you were on the Junior Panel before. How was the experience?
Mashraba: Our journey with BUPLMCC started from the beginning of our undergrad. Being on the junior panel is a significant part of this journey. We had excitement, enthusiasm and nervousness working in us since these were new experiences for us. It gave us the push to reach where we are now, and we got to learn the most from our seniors. The junior level positions prepared us for the leadership positions we are currently holding.
Interviewer: If it pleases you, do you want to share your experience with the departed panel of 21-22?
Mashraba: From trusting us with a simple task of an event to trusting us to run a whole event, Law 3 panel has always put their faith in us and never hesitated to show us the way. Our experience with Law 3 panel is incredible, and we will always cherish all the moments that we have shared with them.
Interviewer: Thank you. Now I would like to specifically ask the president, what is your vision for BUPLMCC?
Shakib: Our vision is to make BUPLMCC one of the best clubs in BUP and build it into an exemplary club which will become an inspiration and example for others.
Interviewer: Are you working on your annual agenda? What kind of initiatives do you plan to undertake?
Shakib: In our tenure, we want to focus more on researching and mooting. We want to arrange multiple number of events and competitions which will focus on the skills development of students. That will not only aid them in their student life but also will be helpful in their professional life. We are also planning to organise multiple number of seminars, webinar for the better understanding of students in different aspects. Introducing lecture series is also one of the agendas we would like to undertake. We would soon place our annual agenda in the Executive Committee meeting. Since BUPLMCC is only for the students of the department of law, this year, we hope to make the club more prominent in BUP by including events where students from other departments can participate.
Mashraba: As we are designing our year-long plan, we plan to organise mooting competitions and seminars on mooting, which will ignite the interest in mooting among the mooting enthusiasts and newcomers. Besides, we hope to focus on events related to ADR since it is not very common among law students in Bangladesh. We want to engage students in more research-oriented work, which will help them develop their research skills. Besides, we want to bring back our flagship events which we could not arrange in the past two years due to the pandemic. However, our plans will remain mere plans without everyone’s coordinated efforts. So, we are looking forward to the combined efforts and cooperation to execute our plans successfully.
Interviewer: How are you coordinating with the Vice-Presidents? Do you think Vice-Presidents will have bigger role to play in the policy making of the club from now on?
Shakib: Whenever we take any decision, we always consult with the vice presidents. They play a significant role in deciding our annual agenda. Vice presidents will lead particular goals and will hold leadership roles in all of the strategic goals of the club.
Mashraba: I second what Shakib said. Vice presidents hold a very significant role in the club and hence have influences over the policy making of the club. They are an integral part of the administration of the club, and as their roles have expanded, it will also provide them with opportunities to indulge themselves more in decision making, annual agenda planning and policy making of the club. And for that we are coordinating with the vice presidents in all possible aspects. And we believe that doing so, will build a good understanding among us.
Interviewer: What are your thoughts regarding the third-year panel members, and what do you expect from them?
Mashraba: With all this talent and zeal, we expect fantastic performances from our beloved third-year panel. We have many expectations from them, and we believe they will stand up to our expectations.
Interviewer: What are your plans for the new recruits? How do you plan to ensure inclusiveness among them?
Shakib: The new recruits are our next leaders. They will be our successors and lead the club in the future. We want to allocate work to each according to their preferred sectors and expertise. We are always ready to welcome any new idea that they come up with, and they are always encouraged to contact us if they have any enquiry or need anything. We are always happy to help them, and we are looking forward to see what more they have to offer to the club.
Interviewer: Thanks to both of you. Before finishing, if you would like to give any message.
Shakib and Mashraba: We look forward to a fantastic experience. Stay with us and support us.
