Prashanta has recently established a foodbank in rural Ramu, in Bangladesh, to help families stranded in COVID-19 lockdown.
The LLM in Computer and Communications Law was my second LLM, the first one was from University of Dhaka Bangladesh, where I also obtained my LLB. I enrolled with CCLS, Queen Mary, as an international student. After completion of the LLM, I enrolled on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and joined a private college as lecturer and academic researcher, where I was later elevated to the position of Head of Laws and Dean. I was also responsible for college’s internal Quality Assurance review with QAA. I am still involved with the UK HE sector through part-time teaching and providing strategic support to providers on effective delivery and quality recruitment. I recently returned to Court practice in Bangladesh where I have a standing of over 20 years as advocate. My area of practice includes Media and Communications Law, Telecommunication and Internet Law, Constitutional and Human Rights Law, Corporate and Commercial Law. Now I combine my time in court with academia. I enjoy connecting with young talented lawyers and leaders in the legal field, both in academia and in the legal profession. As a result my work schedule allows me to deliver guest lectures, conduct moot workshops and provide training in several universities in India, Bangladesh and UAE while also adjudicating young lawyers at regional and international level. As the founding director of the UK Centre for Bangladesh Studies, I enjoy strong community ties through social and cultural involvement.
My adjudication role in mooting and debating includes Oxford University Price Media Law mooting championship, both international and regional rounds, Professor Madhab Menon SAARC Universities mooting championship, Oxford and Cambridge IVs, Worlds University debating championship, West African mooting championship, Human Rights summer school mooting in Bangladesh. I regularly contribute to the Commonwealth Legal Education Association’s regional and international conferences, teaching workshops and editing journals jointly with senior professors in UK, India and Bangladeshi universities. I jointly edited a law journal Testimony of which Emeritus Professor Phil A Thomas is the editor. During my days in Queen Mary, I was lucky to stay and work within the perimeter of Mile End campus. I still miss evening walks by the Regent canal and of course the diving swans. Facilities and Faculties at CCLS were just outstanding. I am still connected with some of my teachers and fellow students. I loved the Mile End campus and whenever I visit Mile End I try to have a walk on campus, where the library is my top destination. I enjoyed my Queen Mary life to the fullest and the expertise I acquired there helped me a lot later in my career.
In recent pandemic hit hard pandemic times, in spring 2020, I was so lucky to be able to establish a foodbank in rural Ramu village in the district of Coxsbazar (the district hosted nearly 1m Rogingya refugees) and provide a food supply (rice, fresh vegetables, lentils, sugar, onion, garlic) to 1600 members of 400 families. The foodbank will continue until the pandemic is over and lock down is lifted.