Country Director Professional Spotlight
Professor Dr. Md. Kamrul Hasan
Department of English, United International University
Country Director of Bangladesh
Can you share a brief overview of your academic/professional journey and what led you to serve
as a Country Director?
Currently, I am working as a professor in the Department of English at United International
University (UIU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. I received my doctoral degree from Universiti Uttara Malaysia,
Malaysia, and prior to that, I was awarded a Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in ELT from the University
of Delhi, where I also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Arts in
Linguistics. I was ranked as one of the most cited Bangladesh-based authors in the field of linguistics
by AD Scientific Rankings in 2021. My research expertise covers Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension,
Education and Technology, Language Learning and Technology, Language Policy, Phonology, ELT,
Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, and SLA. I have got sixty-three research articles (42 Scopus-
indexed and 22 Web of Science indexed articles) published in prestigious international peer-reviewed
journals., namely The Journal of Asia TEFL (ASIA TEFL, South Korea), Open Linguistics (DeGruyter,
Germany), Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics (Indonesia University of Education, Indonesia),
MEXTESOL Journal (MEXTESOL, Mexico), and International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies
(Kassel University Press GmbH, Germany), Language Testing in Asia (Springer Nature), Learning and
Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives (Emerald), Heliyon (Elsevier), and Frontiers in
Psychology (Frontiers Media S.A.), Cogent Education (Taylor & Francis), etc.
At the outset of my teaching career, I considered myself a teacher; however, I started getting interested in conducting research as I had research exposure during my M.Phil. journey [2003-2005]. I set a goal to get
one article published in international journals every year since 2008. However, my real passion for research started when I started my Ph.D. journey in 2014. After completing my Ph.D. in 2018, within a span of six (6)
years, I have got 42 Scopus-indexed and 22 Web of Science-indexed articles
published in prestigious international peer-reviewed journals. Moreover,
after completing my Ph.D. in 2018, I rejoined my current university, and I
was entrusted with the responsibility of heading the English Language
Institute (2 years and a half), UIU, and later the Department of English at UIU (2024- present).
I attended the STAR Global Conference that was held at Kathmandu University, Nepal, from
December 12-14, 2024. When I watched the video message by Noam Chomsky at the very beginning
of the Conference, I was much mesmerized. As I was a student of Linguistics, and I had the chance to
meet him in Delhi, India, during my M.A. at the University of Delhi, India, I instantly made up my
mind to be a part of the STAR Scholars Network and play an important role in contributing to the
STAR Scholars Network. Later, at the end of the Kathmandu Star Global Conference, I came to know
that there is a void in the representation of the Star Scholars Network from Bangladesh. I realized
that I could approach the President of the STAR Scholars Network, detailing my innermost desire to
represent Bangladesh for the Star Scholars Network. I contacted the President of the STAR Scholars
Network. Later, James Jacob was instrumental in making my intense desire into reality. In addition, I
discovered the STAR Scholars Network platform has manifold aspects and potential opportunities to
offer us, namely getting connected with STAR community members, joining specialized research
Country Director Professional Spotlight
clusters, availing opportunities with training and mentorship, participating in conferences and
events, discovering STAR’s supporting institutions, getting open access for prestigious journals,
utilizing a wealth of resources published by community, etc. I found that leading as a representative
of Bangladesh for the STAR Scholars Network would be the perfect foil in addition to availing the
mentioned opportunities.
What do you find most fulfilling about your work in academia/profession?
Conducting quality research, getting the research articles published in prestigious journals, and
contributing to the body of knowledge related to my research field are the most rewarding for me.
Can you highlight a recent project, publication, or achievement that you’re particularly proud of?
I am particularly proud of the following Overseas Approved Grant Malaysian Fundamental Research
Grant Scheme (2024-2027/Co-researcher; RM120,800.00): A New Framework of Reference for
Language Assessment in Artificial Intelligence Environment the Malaysian Fundamental Research
Grant Scheme (FRGS) is considered a highly prestigious research grant in Malaysia.
How has your work contributed to advancements in your field or impacted students/colleagues?
My research work has contributed to the teaching praxis for English as a foreign language (EFL)
learners at the tertiary level of education. The teachers and curriculum designers would be able to
adapt the recommendations provided in the published articles to teach the students in the classroom
and incorporate them in the syllabus; as a result, the EFL learners will
benefit enormously, improving their academic results. After the COVID-19
pandemic, two of research articles were published, and one of the research
articles was related to flipped classroom practices. The findings of my
research articles related to vocabulary learning by WhatsApp, and the other
one was on flipped classrooms. In the present context of the age of
digitalization and the use of hybrid classrooms, adoption of the strategies
[recommended in the published articles] by the students would help them
learn English effectively and enhance their academic performance.
What is your vision as the STAR Scholars Network Country Director for your country and the Cross-
Border Initiatives?
As the STAR Scholars Network Country Director for Bangladesh, my vision is to organize a conference
in Bangladesh under the umbrella of Star Global Conference, and the conference will bring together
distinguished scholars from around the globe on one platform. The new emerging scholars, students,
practitioners, and concerned stakeholders will reap benefits from each other, exchanging their views
and insights. Students, teachers, academics, and others in Bangladesh will come to know more about
the STAR Scholars Network, and they will join the STAR Scholars Network platform, playing an active
role in serving the community. Secondly, I envisage more research collaboration between
Bangladeshi scholars and scholars from other parts of the world will take place sooner. They will
bring myriad research projects from different arenas, particularly industry; consequently, they will be
able to contribute to the research field and serve the community. I visualize the relationship
between academia and industry will be fostered energetically in the long run. Thirdly, my vision is to
build a bridge between budding scholars, like students and reputed established scholars around the
world, with the help of conducting workshops, seminars, and symposiums on a regular note.
What advice would you give to those wanting to get involved in the STAR Scholars Network?
I would like to recommend those who want to get involved in the STAR Scholars Network that after
joining this platform, they would be able to avail multitude opportunities, like getting connected
with STAR community members, joining specialized research clusters, availing opportunities with
training and mentorship, participating in conferences and events, discovering STAR’s supporting
institutions, getting open access for prestigious journals, utilizing a wealth of resources published by
community, etc. In addition, they would be able to forge strong affinity among the best research
scholars, academicians, and other stakeholders around the world, joining the STAR Scholars Network.
Outside of work, what interests or activities help you maintain a balanced and fulfilling life?
Spending quality time with my close family members, listening to motivational videos daily, watching
biopics (whenever I get time) of those who did remarkable jobs for the well-being of the whole
community, and reading motivational positive books that give me positive vibes help me maintain a
balanced and fulfilling life.
What else would you like to share with the STAR Scholars Network to get to know you the best we
can?
I strongly believe that we cannot have a positive life with a negative frame of mind. We will have
challenges in front of us. Life keeps on throwing challenges now and then. The challenges are meant
to make us stronger. They teach us valuable lessons about life. The twists, detours, turns, and
challenges are the stepping stones that are here to help us soar higher. Finally, I firmly affirm that
the sky is the limit. If a person like me from a developing country can get an opportunity to
contribute to the STAR Scholars Network platform, others can get motivated to take up any arduous
challenges in his or her lives. I love to take up challenges in front of me. Representing Bangladesh for
the STAR Scholars Network is not an easy task to accomplish. I am seeking all-out cooperation,
guidance, and collaboration from those who are associated with the STAR Scholars Network and
leading wonderfully from the front. I am looking forward to learning from them as I sincerely believe
that learning is a never-ending endeavour.