ULAB MSJ hosts CI forum on Platform Society in the Global South

The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organised its Curriculum Integration (CI) forum – Summer 2026 on June 13 at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, Dhaka University. The event brought together students, faculty members, and academics to discuss the growing influence of digital platforms on contemporary society.

The forum focused on the theme “Platform Society in the Global South", examining how digital platforms form social interaction, communication, economic activity, and political participation in Bangladesh and other countries in the Global South. Discussions explored the increasing role of platform-based technologies in everyday life and their impact on the relationship between individuals, institutions, and society.

The programme began with a welcome address, followed by remarks from Tahseen Nower, CI Chair and Lecturer in the Department of Media Studies and Journalism. Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Dr Din M Sumon Rahman, Dean of the School of Social Science and Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism. He highlighted the importance of Curriculum Integration as an academic initiative that connects classroom learning with contemporary issues and introduced the semester’s theme.

Addressing the audience, Professor Dr Sumon Rahman noted the role of digital platforms in shaping users’ online experiences, stating that platforms often determine what content individuals see.

The forum then featured a presentation titled “How Digital Platforms Shape Everyday Life” by Usama Rafid, Lecturer in the Department of Media Studies and Journalism. His presentation examined the use of personal data by digital platforms and raised questions about users’ awareness of how their information is collected and utilised.

The keynote session, titled “Platform Society in Bangladesh: Monopolising Interaction, Monetisation, and Politics", was delivered by Andalib Rubayat, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Media Studies and Journalism. Through examples and analysis, he discussed how digital platforms influence power structures, economic systems and social realities, particularly in the context of the Global South. He also addressed the role of platforms in shaping public discourse and democratic participation among young people.

Following the presentations, participants took part in an interactive question-and-answer session with the speakers. The event concluded with closing remarks by the host.