Category Archives: North South University

Letting the Heat Out: Not Really a Vent

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

On my recent visit to Coe, I had the cost of higher education on my mind. There were some new buildings, I noticed, over the twenty plus years since I was a student. On the other hand, the same buildings … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, Coe College, Corporate Education, Graduate School, Graduate Student fees, North South University, Public Education, Rita Cheng, SIU, Student Loans, University Sports, US Government | Leave a comment

Elitist School, Local Students: SIU’s Dilemma

Posted on March 10, 2012 by

Last week was jam-packed with events, and discussion around the fees issue we’ve been pushing at GPSC. Obviously, those who control the media are controlling the spin, and as my presence in that space, I wanted to reflect on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, Corporate Education, Graduate School, Graduate Student fees, North South University, Public Education, Rita Cheng, Saluki Stadium, SIU | Leave a comment

Play! Fight!

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

In a few weeks, I’ll be presenting a paper at the MMLA in St. Louis on “Play” in American Fiction, specifically the stories of Margaret Deland, in her book Old Chester Tales. In thinking about play as a theme, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, American Literature, Blogging, Corporate Education, Graduate School, Interactive Education, Literature, Little Grassy Lake, Margaret Deland, North South University, SIU, Teaching | Leave a comment

Teaching the Invisible

Posted on June 7, 2011 by

Recently, my friend Arif Delwar Hossain invited me to guest lecture in his class on social media, blogging and citizen journalism. I was honored, and thought of telling his students here at SIUC about the highlights of my recent course … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Bangladesh, Blogging, cox's bazaar, Facebook, mermaid eco resort, North South University, Teaching | Leave a comment

Three Girls, Five Years

Posted on April 18, 2011 by

Last month was the five year anniversary of the publication of my first novel, Three Girls: A Twenty-First Century Tale, and it really did change my life, but not in a drastic, everything is different kind of way. The reception … Continue reading →

Posted in American Literature, Bangladesh, Literature, North South University, Three Girls Novel | 3 Comments

Desh to Desh

Posted on September 5, 2010 by

From one campus, considered one of the best new architectural creations of Dhaka, to southern Illinois, certain differences stand out. One is the grounds and sports facilities available on both campuses. This is the new stadium built in Carbondale for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, Corporate Education, North South University, Saluki Stadium, University Sports | Leave a comment

A Professor in Half Pants

Posted on August 10, 2010 by

Before leaving Dhaka, I wanted to write a blog about my decision, quite consciously taken, to wear half pants to the university here, even on teaching days. I say consciously because the first time I was here, I was made … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, Cultural Faux Pas, Dress Code, Grateful Dead, Half Pants, hawaii, North South University | 5 Comments

The 315 Blogs

Posted on August 7, 2010 by

Although I have taught this course at NSU three times before, ENG 315, Electronic Journal Workshop, this is the first time we have blogged. The last time I taught this course was back in 2006, so it is easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, Blogging, Facebook, North South University, Teaching | 5 Comments

Biryani and Borhani while Brazil Bombs

Posted on July 5, 2010 by

Friday night, we were invited to a wedding party at the Bashundhara Convention Center, and it was a night of missteps and surprises. The invitation card was handed to me in the office by one of our workers, Abbul, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, North South University, Stupidity, World Cup | 2 Comments

How to Make me Smile

Posted on June 1, 2010 by

After my morning class, I ran into one of the junior lecturers here at NSU, and the first thing she said to me was “I read your novel Three Girls.” Then she paid me the further compliment of saying that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bangladesh, North South University, Three Girls Novel | 2 Comments