Students from The School of Life Sciences at Independent University, Bangladesh, won a debate organized by The American Society for Microbiology and BRAC University, and co-sponsored by icddr,b and ideSHi on “Microbes: Friends or Foes?” on December 19, 2016. Students from Team IUB—Lulu Maknun Samiha, Bushra Anjum, and Muntaka Maniha Mithi successfully argued in favor of “Microbes as Friends” while competing against students from Jahangir Nagar University. Lulu Maknun Samiha also earned the prize for “Best Speaker”. The debate was judged by renowned Dhaka University professors Professor Syed Saleheen Qadri from the Institute for Development of Science and Health Initiatives, ideSHi and Professor Niyaz Ahmed, Senior Director, LSSD, icddr,b. The event was conceptualized, inaugurated, and supervised by Dr. Firdausi Qadri, ASM Ambassador to Bangladesh, Acting Senior Director, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b. Chief Guest Professor Rita Yusuf, Dean of the School of Life Sciences at Independent University, Bangladesh, delivered the closing speech at the event, in which she talked about significant advances in biomedical research made in just the last year and the implications these hold for a not so distant future. Dr. Aparna Islam, Associate Professor & Coordinator, MS Biotechnology Program, MNS Department, BRAC University, conducted the day-long program and offered the formal vote of thanks.
