Dr. M. Johurul Islam, Professor of Law at Islamic University, Kushtia, a distinguished educational entrepreneur has received the AECT McJulien Graduate Student Scholarship Award 2024, talks about his experience and award achievements, in an exclusive interview virtually with Shahariar Islam Sovon of The New Nation
Dr. Mohammad Johurul Islam, Professor of Law at Islamic University, Kushtia, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Bangladeshi to receive the prestigious AECT McJulien Graduate Student Scholarship Award 2024.
This recognition, presented during the AECT International Convention 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, honors Dr. Islam’s innovative contributions to integrating technology into education, particularly legal studies.
The award, sponsored by former AECT President Wes McJulien, acknowledges graduate students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the field of educational technology.
The New Nation: Congratulations on receiving the AECT McJulien Graduate Student Scholarship Award 2024! How does it feel to earn such a prestigious recognition?
Dr. M. J. Islam: Thank you! It’s an incredible honor and a deeply rewarding experience. This award is not just a personal achievement; it’s a validation of the efforts I’ve dedicated to advancing education, especially in legal studies and technology integration.
The New Nation: I think you have a story behind achieving this award. Would you please share about your journey to achieve the award?
Dr. M. J. Islam:This is one of the prestigious awards for the students/researchers studying on educational technology. This is self-nominated award initiated by the Division of Culture, Learning and Technology (CLT) of AECT for recognizing and supporting the graduate students with the sponsorship by the past president of AECT Mr. Wes McJulien. I am the first person from Bangladesh who achieved this award.
The New Nation: What does this award signify for your academic and professional journey?
Dr. M. J. Islam: The McJulien Award is a testament to my work and aspirations in instructional design and technology, particularly in integrating these concepts into legal education. The New Nation: How do you plan to leverage this recognition for educational development in Bangladesh?
Dr. M. J. Islam: This award inspires me to focus on several key areas: curriculum reform, faculty development, and the use of immersive technologies like virtual reality in education. Furthermore, I aim to promote the idea of educational innovation in Bangladesh by advocating for the integration of instructional technologies across various disciplines.
The New Nation: How does this achievement align with your current research interests?
Dr. M. J. Islam: My current research focuses on faculty efficacy and technology integration in legal education. This aligns perfectly with the AECT’s vision of advancing educational communication and technology. The recognition validates my research’s potential to address practical challenges and contribute to the global discourse on modernizing education. The New Nation: What message would you like to share with students and educators in Bangladesh?
Dr. M. J. Islam: To students, I would say embrace learning and innovation, as education is the most powerful tool to shape your future. To educators, I urge them to be open to new teaching methodologies and technologies, as these can transform classrooms and enhance student engagement.
