DHAKA – With the theme “Higher Education for Inclusive Development”, Dhaka University (DU) today celebrated its 97th founding anniversary amid festivity and fanfare.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the 97th founding anniversary of the university and wished success of all programmes of the day.
They also urged the university teachers, students and researchers to devote themselves to welfare of the people to build Sonar Bangla utilizing their merits, wisdom and values.
Dhaka University, which is considered the country’s highest echelon for academic excellence started its academic activities on July 1, 1921 with 12 departments, 3 faculties, 60 teachers, 877 students, 3 residential halls and
about 600 acres of land.
The country’s largest university now consists of 84 departments, 13 faculties, 12 institutes, 54 research bureaus and centres, 39,496 students, 1,999 teachers and 23 residential halls and 275.083 acres of land.
The day-long programmes started in the morning through hoisting national and university flags at the university’s administrative building premises, releasing balloons and cutting cake.
Teachers, students and university staffs brought out a colourful procession. Key structures on the campus were illuminated with colourful lights.
A discussion was held at Teacher-Student Center (TSC) auditorium at 11:00am with DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman in the chair. While addressing the programme, National Professor Anisuzzaman said, “On this day, we have to think about our responsibility to our university and enhance its glory. Teachers, students and staffs have to bring back the
glorious history of the university.”
DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman remembered Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due solemnity.
He also remembered Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury and Nawab Sir Khwaja Salimullah for their unprecedented roles for the establishment of DU.
“A comprehensive development is very much necessary for Dhaka University. DU has to exercise its affiliation power to oversee its affiliated colleges and institutions through a proper way,” said Prof Akhtaruzzaman.
Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Dr. Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed wrote the keynote paper on this year’s theme, “Higher Education for Inclusive Development”.
DU Pro-VC (Academic) Professor Nasreen Ahmad, Pro-VC (Administration) Professor Dr Muhammad Samad, Treasurer Professor Dr Kamal Uddin, DU teachers’ association president Prof ASM Maksud Kamal and general secretary Prof Shibli Rubaiyat Ul Islam, DU Alumni Association President AK Azad, among others, addressed the programme as honorable guests.
An exhibition of rare manuscripts was held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at DU central library. Department of Biomedical Physics and Technology was organised an exhibition of their innovations of medical technologies at Curzon Hall from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
A joint display of arts and crafts by Hunan University, China and Dhaka University and a drawing competition for children was held at Faculty of Fine Art.
Members of Dhaka University Journalists’ Association played a friendly football match organized by the university’s Physical Education Center at the central ground. Different faculties, departments, institutes and dormitories held separate programmes to celebrate the day.
DU has played a vital role in the country’s history. Its students and teachers have sacrificed their lives in the 1952 language movement, 1969 mass upsurge and during the 1971 Liberation War and anti-autocracy movement in
1990. The national flag was first hoisted at Battola on the university campus on March 2, 1971.
