Community engagement as a tool for integration: A discussion with U of S Bangladeshi students.

Banglar Gaan O Kotha focuses on immigrant and students’ lives challenges and the processes of integration in Saskatoon. Through this weekly Bangla community radio show it is looking for the best ways to integrate international and immigrant students from Bangladesh into the University of Saskatchewan and the community at large. Over the years it’s participants learned how community engagement can be an alternative forms of learning, how it can encourage community members to think about what members have to offer to the community, what resources they can leverage, how community members can pool their different skills to engage their each community members, and engage in transformative action for change .The community radio discussion was a meaningful way to engage Bangladeshi students in building collaborative community in our radio space. Dear listeners, Banglar Gaan O Kotha aired a constructive discussion with some Bangladeshi students at the studio which was being appreciated by it’s listeners.

The University of Saskatchewan student participants were Aditi Das Gupta, Asha Roy, Fahmida Khundker Tumpa, Abdul Halim, Ayesha Khan Masaba. A special thanks to Sougat, Dr. Ranjan Datta, Nurul Huda Palash and Putul to provide additional logistic support to conduct the discussion. The discussion was facilitated by the host Jebunnessa Chapola and technical assistance provided by Kumkum Azad.