UAP Department of English Inaugurates EDRISAGE to Build a Stronger Research Culture
The Department of English, University of Asia Pacific (UAP), has inaugurated the English Department Research and Innovation Society for Academic Growth and Excellence (EDRISAGE), the first research club exclusively dedicated to the Department. The inauguration took place on 2 September 2026, bringing together faculty members and research-enthusiastic students.
EDRISAGE has been established with the vision of building a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive research culture within the Department of English. The society aims to make research more accessible to students and encourage them to develop curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and confidence as emerging researchers. Its broader vision is to connect students with the wider academic and research community and create opportunities for meaningful collaboration between students and faculty members.
The club will focus on developing students' practical research skills through regular workshops and hands-on sessions on research methodology, academic writing, data analysis, and research tools and software. It will also promote critical thinking through reading groups, seminars, lectures, and discussion sessions exploring significant theories and approaches in language, literature, and related fields.
Research ethics and academic integrity will be another key priority of EDRISAGE. Students will be encouraged to develop responsible research practices, with sessions focusing on plagiarism, citation, ethical research, reliable academic sources, and scholarly publishing. The club will also encourage students to become familiar with reputable academic publications and the research-to-publication process.
A further focus will be faculty-student research collaboration. Students will be encouraged to begin with manageable research projects, including pilot studies, case studies, classroom-based research, and other small-scale projects, with appropriate academic guidance and mentorship from faculty members. The society also plans to provide platforms for students to share their research ideas and findings through seminars, presentations, and an annual student research symposium.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Abu Sufian, Assistant Professor and Co-Adviser of EDRISAGE, appreciated the initiative and highlighted its potential to provide a structured platform for connecting students with the wider research community. Md. Sajid Hossain, Student Advisor, and Zarin Tasnim Disha, Vice-President of EDRISAGE, introduced the society and outlined its vision, mission, and proposed activities. They emphasized the importance of peer learning, active engagement, and making research an approachable journey for students at different stages of their academic development.
Mr. Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, Head of the Department of English and Adviser of EDRISAGE, congratulated the founding team and emphasized that research should be a process of doing, not merely talking. He encouraged students to read, ask questions, collect and analyse data, write, present, discuss, and learn from the research process. He also stressed that research requires curiosity, patience, teamwork, and persistence, and encouraged students to start small and gradually develop their research capacity.
He further emphasized the importance of ethical research practices and academic integrity, particularly in an era of rapidly expanding access to artificial intelligence and digital information. He assured the students that the Department would provide academic guidance and available institutional support to help them gradually become familiar with research and publication practices.
Other faculty members, including Ms. Sumaia Jahan Shoshi, Ms. Ismat Zarin, and Ms. Niger Afroz Islam, also encouraged students to engage actively in research and highlighted the importance of academic guidance, motivation, and sustained effort.
The programme was hosted by Sumya Tabassum, General Secretary of EDRISAGE, and Ayesha Tabassum Kabir, Joint Secretary. The event also introduced EDRISAGE's first Executive Committee, laying the foundation for a student-led platform dedicated to research, innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence.
The inauguration of EDRISAGE marks a significant step in the Department of English's continuing efforts to strengthen its research culture. The society aspires to become a peer-supported research hub where students and teachers can learn from one another, transform ideas into research, and contribute to the wider academic community.
As the journey begins, EDRISAGE carries a simple message: research starts with curiosity, grows through practice, and flourishes through collaboration.