Chorusing the slogan "Real Stories by Real People," Daffodil International University (DIU)'s Department of Journalism, Media, and Communication is hosting the first-ever Community Digital Storytelling Festival (CDSTF) on February 16 and 17 at Daffodil Smart City. Addressing the details of the festival’s maiden edition to the media, a press conference was organized at DIU on Tuesday, joined by CDSTF Coordinator Alifunnessa Alif, Submission Manager Sadman Islam, and PR Manager Muhammad Asif Ul Islam. Professor Dr Liza Sharmin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Aftab Hossain, Head of the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication and Kabil Khan, Associate Professor and Advisor of the Festival were present at the press conference, along with teachers and students of the department. 'Golper Provat': A unique rendezvous of readers, writers at D’s Bistro Keeping the theme “Environment and Sustainability” in mind, the participating students submitted their outstanding films in Open, Journalism, One Minute and DIU Best Community Story categories, respectively. The activities of this newly launched flagship event of DIU's Department of Journalism, Media, and Communication started at the beginning of 2023. The organizers of the festival campaigned on various issues including the goals, objectives and methods of participation in the festival in different schools, colleges, and universities both home and abroad, physically and virtually; and also provided hands-on training on filmmaking through mobile phones at various levels of educational institutions. In this continuation, the participants of the festival from nine countries of the world have submitted a total of 106 films. Out of these, 73 films were initially selected and handed over to the festival's jury board which selected 39 films for screening at the maiden CDSTF. Curtain raises for Sammilita Sangskritik Jote's Amar Ekushey 2024 cultural tribute Winners in various categories of the festival will get attractive prizes as well as the opportunity to have direct discussions and advice with media researchers and eminent personalities, the organizers said at the press conference. Ayaz Khan, who pioneered mobile journalism in Pakistan, Mojo, was the chief judge at the festival and is also working as a judge for the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival this year. Prof Dr Marta Miaskowsa, a Research and Teaching staff member at the Faculty of Design, Lodz University of Technology was also on the judging panel of this year’s CDSTF, alongside Nuruzzaman Khan of Lithuania's Artisokai Film Production, also an artist-writer-researcher-filmmaker; and Fahmim Ferdous, project manager and trainer of Deutsche Welle, DW Academy Asia and Europe and a journalist, presenter, and media personality in the country. The strategic partner of CDSTF is the world's largest Bengali news portal, Prothom Alo.com. Apart from this, Bangladesh Times, Irfan Trades and LumiFusion are the partners for award distribution. Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh felicitates Rezwana Choudhury Bannya on receiving 'Padma Shri' CDSTF 2024 is also supported by MINA, which has joined as a global partner to spread this event to all corners of the world. Youth community partners include ICD, Initiative for Coastal Development and Swinburne University of Technology as institutional partners. Site Vault has also partnered with this year’s CDSTF which will be streaming selected films, and the entire festival is fully supported by the Daffodil International University authority.

A cyber security awareness event styled "Cyber Security Awareness Day 2023" will be held Saturday on Daffodil Smart City Campus in Dhaka. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and Daffodil International University (DIU) are jointly organising the function. DIU’s Science and Information Technology faculty Dean Prof Dr Sayeed Akhter Hossain and BTRC's Director General Brig Gen Mohammad Khalil-Ur-Rahman announced this at a press conference at 71 Milonayoton of Daffodil Tower in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Friday. Names of 'Bangabandhu International Cyber Security Awareness Award' recipients announced BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder is expected to inaugurate the programme as the chief guest.  Khalill-Ur-Rahman said cyber awareness is needed for each person of the country. The BTRC is continuously doing their best to make people aware of cyber security. In continuation of this the state-owned organisation is assisting the DIU in holding tomorrow’s event on tech-savvy. BRTC Commissioner Dr. Musfiq Mannan Choudhury will present the keynote speech on "Cyber security challenges for developing nations," at the event chaired by DIU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. M. Lutfar Rahman. Calls for Bangladesh and India to collaborate in dealing with cyber threats Noted figures including Prof Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam and Prof Dr. S.M. Mahbub Ul Haque Majumder, among others are expected to join the event. Following the opening, participants will join two informative technical sessions--contemporary cyber security trends, challenges, and solutions, and cyberbullying. The day-long programme will also feature more technical sessions exploring the vulnerabilities in code and the compromised quality of software. The organisers said the session will be highly relevant to software developers, highlighting the necessity of producing secure code and ensuring the quality of software products. Bangladesh, India to collaborate with each other to combat cyberattacks: Palak A crucial discussion panel titled "Cyber Preparedness of Network Systems for the Private and Government Sector,” with the participation of Bangladesh Bank Executive Director (ICTD) Muhammad Zakir Hasan and BRTC Director General (Systems & Services) Brig Gen Mohammad Khalil-Ur-Rahman, is expected to be a focal point of the event. The programme reflects escalating the need for awareness, preparation, and vigilance in an increasingly interconnected digital society.