Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today said universities must play a more proactive role in promoting academic excellence, research and innovation.

“Universities are not only centers of higher education but also among the most important institutions for nation-building,” he told the Dean's Merit Award 2026 distribution ceremony at Barishal University (BU) here.

Swapon said today's students are the responsible citizens and future leaders of the nation, and that building a prosperous and equitable society depends on their talent, integrity and progressive thinking.

He said students equipped with modern knowledge, scientific education and moral values would provide the country's leadership in the years ahead. To develop capable leaders, they must be given proper guidance and adequate opportunities, he added.

The minister said students' achievements are not merely personal successes but are closely linked to the country's overall development and progress. 

Noting that knowledge and skills are the greatest strengths in today's world, he called on the younger generation to use their talent, creativity and innovative thinking for the welfare of the country.

Addressing the award recipients, the minister said recognitions such as the Dean's Merit Award encourage healthy competition among students and inspire them to devote greater attention to their studies and research. 

Such recognition, he added, plays an important role in nurturing the country's future leadership.

He said students should strive not only for academic excellence but also to become honest, responsible, compassionate and patriotic citizens.

The minister further said that countries which have advanced in knowledge, science, research and technology are now leading the world in economic growth, education, healthcare and human resource development. 

The true strength of a nation, he observed, lies not only in its natural resources but also in its ability to utilize those resources through knowledge, skills and innovation, he added.

He noted that many countries endowed with abundant natural resources have failed to use them effectively because of inadequate knowledge, limited technical expertise and weak governance.

BU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Or Rashid and English department’s faculty Prof Dr. Md. Mohsin Uddin addressed the ceremony as the special guests with Dr. Hafiz Ashraful Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Bio-Sciences at the university, in the chair. 

A total of 109 students from different faculties of the university received the award.