The Department of English at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) successfully organized a day-long national conference titled “English Studies in the New Era: Challenges and Dimensions” on 27 June 2025 at the Central Gallery of the Kobi Nazrul Academic Building, JUST.

The conference brought together scholars, academic researchers, educators, students, and literary enthusiasts from across the country to engage in critical discussions on the evolving landscape of English studies in the contemporary era. The event featured keynote speeches, paper presentations, panel discussions, plenary sessions, and an academic writing workshop.

The morning session was marked by insightful keynote addresses delivered by three eminent scholars. Dr. Kaiser Haq, renowned poet, translator, and Professor of English at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, reflected on literary translation and global literary exchanges. Dr. Shamsad Mortuza, Professor of English at the University of Dhaka and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ULAB, was present online and discussed contemporary literary trends and critical approaches, while Dr. Shaila Sultana, Professor and Director of the BRAC Institute of Languages at BRAC University, highlighted issues of translingual practices and sociolinguistics in the new era.

The midday session consisted of parallel paper presentation panels where participants presented research on a wide range of themes, including postcolonial rereadings of literature, English in the digital era, English language teaching and EFL/ESL pedagogy, translation studies, sociolinguistics, gender and queer studies, ecocriticism, medical humanities, cultural and media studies, and the use of artificial intelligence in literary studies.

The conference was held under the patronage of Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, Vice-Chancellor of JUST, with Professor Dr. Hossain Al Mamun, Treasurer of JUST, serving as the advisor. The event was organized by the faculty members of the Department of English, JUST, under the leadership of the department chairman.

Participants praised the conference for its academic rigor, interdisciplinary scope, and timely focus on contemporary issues in English studies. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering scholarly collaboration and advancing English studies in response to global and local challenges.