Office of the Student Advisor

Professor Dr. Md. Amirul Islam (Kanak PK) is a leading Bangladeshi folklorist, novelist, poet, and cultural theorist whose work bridges creative literature and academic research. His recent promotion to Full Professor signifies institutional recognition of his interdisciplinary contributions. His novel Chandragarbha, poetry collection Sheshrater Bhanga Puran, and research monographs Madarpirer Gan: Alochona O Sangroho and Bangladesher Gajir Gan are critically examined. Special emphasis is placed on Chandragarbha as a historically grounded ecofeminist novel situated in ancient Bengal during the transitional phase from Pala to Sena rule, incorporating the life and philosophical legacy of Atīśa Dīpaṅkara Śrījñāna. The study argues that Amirul Islam articulates an alternative historiography where women’s psychology, ecological consciousness, and folk spirituality function as counter-narratives to political and religious hegemonies. South Asian historiography has traditionally privileged dynastic narratives, elite textual traditions, and state-centric epistemologies. In contrast, contemporary interdisciplinary scholarship increasingly foregrounds marginal voices, ecological contexts, and vernacular knowledge systems. Within this intellectual shift, Professor Md. Amirul Islam (Kanak PK) occupies a distinctive position in Bangladeshi scholarship by integrating folklore studies, historical fiction, ecofeminist theory, and cultural anthropology.

Rather than treating folklore as an archival residue, Amirul Islam conceptualizes it as a living epistemology through which history, gender relations, environmental ethics, and power structures can be critically interrogated. This short description evaluates his major creative and scholarly works to situate his contribution within global debates on ecofeminism, subaltern historiography, and folk knowledge systems.

Action Plan

Building a New Bangladesh in Light of “Youth Festival 2026: Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century”

The University of Rajshahi has adopted the following action plan to build a new Bangladesh in light of Youth Festival 2026, aimed at preparing the young generation to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Youth Festival 2026: From Creation to the Horizon of Possibility

Slogan: Youth will shape the world of tomorrow—leading the nation and the world through creativity, research, and leadership.

Main Objectives:

To foster creativity, leadership, social awareness, and enthusiasm among young people, while opening avenues for enhancing their skills, career readiness, scholarship opportunities, and research participation.

Key Sections:

1. Innovation Fair:

A platform for young innovators to showcase scientific projects, technological innovations, and startup ideas.

2. Youth Leadership Summit:

Lectures, panel discussions, and workshops focusing on youth leadership, policy thinking, and social transformation.

3. Art & Culture Fest:

Creative self-expression through music, drama, dance, poetry, painting, and other art forms.

4. Eco Festival:

Programs, projects, and campaigns on sustainable development, climate change awareness, and tree-planting initiatives.

5. Volunteer Camp:

Opportunities for young people to directly contribute to society through rural education, health awareness, cleanliness drives, and tree plantation.

6. Youth Roadshow & Townhall:

Public discussions encouraging youth participation and opinions on social and political issues, promoting democratic practice.

7. Youth Film & Documentary Festival:

Exhibition and awards for socially conscious, realistic, and thought-provoking works by young filmmakers.

8. Hackathon & Startup Bootcamp:

Team-based competitions to solve tech-based problems, enhance digital skills, and showcase new entrepreneurial ventures.

9. Personal Growth Workshops:

Sessions on self-confidence, mental health, communication skills, leadership development, and life philosophy.

10. Career Corner:

Workshops on CV writing, mock interviews, and job search strategies

Talk sessions with corporate experts

Job and internship networking opportunities

11. Scholarship & Higher Studies Hub:

Seminars on international scholarships and university applications.

Workshops on writing SOPs and recommendation letters

Direct interaction with scholarship recipients.

12. Research & Academic Poster Presentation:

Presentation of research works by students and young researchers, with mentoring and publication.