News Letter_Volume IV_ English Department PSAU 2022

Editorial Note Once again, I am back with yet another issue of a Newsletter full of aspirations and lots of energy to steer us through this year. The start of the academic year 20212022 represented our first time being on campus after a very long hiatus from Covid. I missed Arrival Day this year to see new faces, new hope, and a new start but a few days later after joining, I was delighted to see people, not just talking, laughing, playing games but gathering in casual communion, making plans, and just generally enjoying the beauty of a normal day spent in a normal way. Who knew “normal” could feel so special? Almost sacred?

Last year we were struggling to understand a frightening and fast-spreading new virus. This year, we are lining up to receive vaccinations created in record time and launching a country-wide initiative.

COVID-19 taught us to be more cautious and mindful of how we interact and influence each other. We’ve learned to appreciate the value of community, and push each other further to achieve our goals. Living with COVID has been horrifying but above all, it has been a test of patience and endurance. But it's a new year and I have no doubt that we continue to make slow and steady, incremental progress toward a better future. The speed and success of the transition from online to in-person teaching, learning, and working is a testimony to the resourcefulness, adaptability, and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students.

Each member of the teaching community has played a significant role in supporting our students, keeping our University functioning, and our community safe. I have been continually impressed by the resourcefulness of the staff to address the numerous challenges we have faced and find positive and innovative solutions.

Our foremost priority is our safe, successful return to campus this year, back to normal. The unpredictability of the pandemic makes it difficult to manage. Still, it’s been inspiring to see the faculty, and students come up with so many innovative and inspiring ways to support each other and build for the future.

I may have missed this year’s Arrival Day, but with the campus full of cheerful faces and the energy and excitement of the students buoying us up, it’s clear that every day is an opportunity to celebrate the start of something new.

We have risen to the challenges we faced last year, and I know we will rise to the occasion this year like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. ”If winter comes can spring be far behind?“ Dr. Sameena Banu 4 NEWS LETTER VOLUME_IV