Samia Iffat, a 2nd-year student at Dhaka University and a participant in the DFTP Summer course 2023, led a project to boost youth club participation on campus. She teamed up with three other members to start the project in September 2023, completing it in November 2023.
Dhaka University has a rich history of student involvement in socio-cultural movements, but recently, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has become inactive, and political groups dominate the campus. This has led to a decline in student participation in the university’s socio-cultural clubs, which traditionally encouraged engagement in social, cultural, and civic activities. As a result, students are becoming indifferent to these activities, affecting dialogue, tolerance, and positivity on campus.
To address this issue, Samia’s team implemented several activities aimed at encouraging students to join and actively participate in campus clubs. They organized a commitment-signing campaign where 42 irregular club participants pledged to engage in civic activities. They also conducted one-on-one interactions with 55 students to raise awareness about the importance of club participation. Additionally, they posted three inspiring videos on social media, featuring successful individuals, which reached over 923 people.
The project was a success in rekindling interest in club activities among students. The commitment-signing campaign and one-on-one interactions effectively motivated students to participate in civic engagement. The inspiring videos resonated with a broader audience, showcasing the benefits of active participation in clubs.
Samia’s initiative had a significant impact on fostering a culture of engagement and involvement on campus. By encouraging students to join socio-cultural clubs, the project promoted dialogue, tolerance, and positivity. This renewed interest in club activities is expected to contribute to a more vibrant and active university community, empowering students to continue the legacy of Dhaka University’s contribution to socio-cultural movements.