Team VOIA

My name is Mubassira Tabassum Hossain, and I am currently doing my Bachelor's in International Relations from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). Enticed by the ever-evolving nature of international affairs, I have selected International Relations as my field of study. I am a passionate writer with a vision to explore and learn about the present and history. I believe associating thyself with the world is the best way to acquire knowledge, and I feel privileged to be a part of something that gives me this opportunity. With diligence and optimism, I aspire to accomplish my dreams.

Moumita Moazzem is a medical student at Ibrahim Medical College (BIRDEM). She received an Honours mark in Physiology in her 1 st Professional MBBS examination (Prof) in the Dhaka board. She is the former 1 st runners up of the National Biochemistry Olympiad 2016 and also represented Bangladesh in Inter-Medical school Physiology Quiz, Malaysia. She and her team got awarded the first runners up position in the STEM innovation fair in the National Museum of Science and Technology by Marcia Bernicat (US ambassador of Bangladesh) for their research on lithium air battery incorporated with M13 bacteriophage. She received Edexcel award for high achievers, Daily Star award, Education Watch award, and outstanding academic performance award from Maple Leaf International school for holding 1 st position throughout her school life. She has worked actively in social welfare projects like SWAC (Society for the The welfare of autistic children). She is a Bronze awardee of the Duke of Edinburgh project as part of which she taught underprivileged children. She loves gardening, embroidery, glass painting, and has won many accolades in art and debating. She has worked as an A’level mathematics teaching assistant in Vertical Horizon and as an intern under the editorial team of Voice of International Affairs alongside her studies.

My name is Simon Nasr, and I am Danish and Lebanese. During my life so far, I have lived in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. I have also studied in the latter three countries where I received my BA with honors in Political Science-International Affairs from the Lebanese American University and my MA in Geopolitics, Territory, and Security from King’s College, University of London. In terms of my work experience, I have gained valuable experience from the internship program at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) Communication and Information Unit in Beirut, Lebanon. I have also worked as an author for a new online site, thewisemind.net where I wrote a series of articles on Stoic philosophy. My passions and interests revolve around geopolitics and international relations (especially Middle East affairs and foreign policy), world and Middle Eastern history, and Football (soccer). My dream is to one day pursue a Ph.D. in International Affairs in order to become a professor of Political Science and International Affairs.

An independent researcher, interested in the Middle East Geo-political economy, next-generation conflict and arms control, intelligence theories, and security studies. Specialized in Space Based Systems Theories and Complex Adaptive Systems; had completed Masters from Bangladesh University of Professionals in Peace Conflict & Human Rights.

I am Farhat Zaman. I have worked as a Research Assistant in Transparency International Bangladesh from February 2020 till May 2020. The main areas of my responsibilities were to conduct qualitative research using both primary and secondary methods for data collection. A key part of my job was to help in the formation of a questionnaire for undertaking Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focused Group Discussion (FDG) and eventually followed by writing drafts and transcripts. I have completed my Bachelors and Masters in International Relations from Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2018 and 2019 respectively. International Relations as a subject matter enthused me to study and research on various issues, from politics, economy to many socio-cultural aspects. I did my Masters thesis in 2019, on the topic ‘Mechanisms of Cross-Border Trade in Balat (Meghalaya) – Dalora (Sunamganj) Border Haat. I visited the Haat situated in India- Bangladesh border and stayed in the Sunamganj (Sylhet) village for a week in order to better understand the perspectives of different stakeholders dealing with cross-border trade and to collect authentic data. Similarly, I visited Khulna in 2018 for my Bachelor's Research project, titled ‘Between Adoption and Implementation: Climate Adaptation Strategy of Bangladesh’. Currently, I am looking forward to working more on various research topics and projects to highlight certain socio-political, cultural , and economic issues both on the national and international spectrum.

Md. Rony Hasan is currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at North South University under the Department of Finance. He has an immense attraction in global and domestic financial markets and institutions. He also has an interest in history, political science, and international relation. Now, he got enthusiastic about the banking industry and doing his internship in Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Limited (EXIM Bank).

I am Sumaiya Siddique. I completed my Bachelor’s from the Department of Geography and Environment, Unversity of Dhaka. During my undergraduate years, I went to different parts of Bangladesh countryside for field research assessing environmental parameters, disaster vulnerability, coping mechanisms, socio-economic settings, and land-use patterns of the respective study sites. I have a keen interest in geospatial technology to solve contemporary environmental issues. I am a passionate writer about displacement, human rights, and refugees. I want to become a researcher of impact and thereby contribute to community development

I am Ibitomi Ibiwumi Otunola. I completed my bachelor’s from the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Abuja, Nigeria. During my undergrad days, I traveled to rural areas in Nigeria for field research about the role of traditional institutions in nation-building and how young people volunteer their time and energy for community development initiatives. I have a keen interest in how innovation and technology can help to bridge the digital divide in education in rural areas. I am a passionate writer about online remote learning, volunteering, and historical events. My interests revolve around African-centered research and youth engagement, thus, I want to become a researcher of impact and thereby contribute to community development. For the time being, I’m looking for opportunities in my Personal and career lines and ready to challenge myself.

Nabila Akter is an independent researcher, currently working as an intern at Rahman’s Chambers and Voice of International Affairs. She has completed LLM in International Law from South Asian University, New Delhi, India, and LLB from Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her research interests include Public International Law, International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Dispute Settlement, International Human Rights, and Refugee Law.

Shantanu Chowdhury is doing a Master’s in Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights Studies at Bangladesh University of Professionals. His area of interest is South-Asian geopolitics and the potential of emerging China. He believes that writing is a great way to reach people, as well as new ideas, are also born through writing.

Riya Shah is currently in the final year of her bachelor's in Chinese at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Her areas of research interest include international relations, Chinese foreign policy, and the geopolitics of the East Asian region.