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“THROUGH THE LENS, BEYOND THE WORDS”- AN INSIGHTFUL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST HOSTED BY STRAYBIRD
Jul 30, 2026
“THROUGH THE LENS, BEYOND THE WORDS”- AN INSIGHTFUL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST HOSTED BY STRAYBIRD
Straybird Forum, the literary and cultural forum run by the Department of English at Stamford University of Bangladesh (SUB), successfully hosted a photography competition and exhibition titled "Through the Lens, Beyond the Words." The event culminated in a vibrant exhibition and prize-giving ceremony held on July 30, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the university auditorium.
Designed to encourage creative expression and refine students’ observational and analytical skills, the contest required participants to integrate visual art with textual storytelling. Student entries featured original photographs paired with a description explaining the chosen theme and concept behind their work.
The event was graced by Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber, Vice Chancellor of SUB, as the Guest of Honour. The evaluation panel comprised expert judges from the faculty-
Sabbir Ahmed — Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, formally trained in photography and graphic design
Zakia Noor Matin — Assistant Professor at the Department of English and Advisor to the Shahitya Forum.
Kazi Salman Sheesh _ Senior Lecturer at the Department of Film and Media, Freelance Filmmaker
The occasion was also attended by Registrar Md. Abdul Matin, alongside faculty members and students across the department.
The program commenced with the arrival of the English Department Chairman, Prof. Dr. Sayma Arju, followed by a welcome speech from the Convenor of StrayBird, Asst. Prof. Nur E Nusrat Zereen.
While the panel of judges scored the photographs, faculty members and student participants took the stage to share their personal experiences and creative journeys during the contest. Following the evaluation, Vice Chancellor Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber and the judges delivered inspiring speeches, praising the participants' ability to integrate narrative depth with visual composition. “A beautiful moment captured, either portrays a new version of ourselves or introduces us to a unique phenomenon, ” intellectually remarked the Vice Chancellor.
The event concluded on a celebratory note with the announcement of the winners, a prize presentation, and a commemorative group photo session.