Jahangirnagar university: Jahangirnagar University (JU) has launched the Centre of Puppetry, Applied Arts and Digital Transformations (CPAADT), marking a pioneering initiative in Bangladesh. This centre aims to integrate the nation’s traditional puppetry with applied arts and modern digital technologies to develop skilled, creative, and employment-ready individuals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the establishment of this centre followed the approval of the Centre of Puppetry, Applied Arts and Digital Transformations Ordinance at JU’s 140th Academic Council meeting on November 20 last year. JU’s acting Registrar and Academic Council Secretary A B M Azizur Rahman disclosed this information on Thursday night.
The ordinance outlines that CPAADT is designed as a multidisciplinary platform where academic research, vocational training, and digital innovation converge to transform indigenous puppetry into an educational, cultural, and economic asset. The centre aims to engage young people through traditional and contemporary puppetry, digital animation, creative design, and applied arts, ensuring inclusive access for all sections of society, including marginalized communities.
Further details reveal that the centre will leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), animation, and digital platforms. These tools will be used to modernize puppetry, expand creative expressions, and open new global opportunities within cultural and creative industries.
Speaking to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Dr Haroon Ar Rashid, the Founder of CPAADT and a member of the Department of Drama and Dramatics, stated the initiative stemmed from his extensive academic journey on Bangladesh’s traditional puppetry. This journey was guided by esteemed playwright Selim Al Deen. Prof Rashid emphasized that puppetry is not only a form of entertainment but also a potent theatrical and educational medium with a rich global heritage.
After nearly 15 years of comprehensive fieldwork, Prof Rashid recognized its vast potential in education, public awareness, and therapeutic applications. He highlighted that the centre would offer hands-on training, professional certification, and practice-based learning for young graduates, equipping them with practical skills that bridge puppetry, applied arts, and digital transformation.
Through animation, digital storytelling, and online platforms, Prof Rashid believes that traditional narratives can reach a global audience, thereby creating new employment avenues and entrepreneurial opportunities for young talents. He expressed gratitude to the university authorities, noting that JU has once again demonstrated its pioneering role in higher education by introducing an innovative academic and vocational centre.
With the establishment of CPAADT, JU aims to reposition Bangladesh’s indigenous puppetry not only as a heritage art form but also as a future-oriented, technology-driven creative discipline aligned with the demands of the 21st century.