Country’s oldest university and highest echelon of academic excellence, University of Dhaka (DU) is celebrating its 98th founding day on Monday (Jul 1) in a befitting manner, reports BSS.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages to celebrate the day.In his message, President Abdul Hamid said, “A knowledge based society is a pre-requisite to establish a developed Bangladesh within 2041. Everybody hopes that University of Dhaka will play a key role in creating knowledge through providing quality education and research.”
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her greetings to the members of DU family on the 98th anniversary of DU.
“Today, Bangladesh is synonymous with the journey of continuous development and the Dhaka University with its world-class excellence is one of the main associates of advancing Bangladesh,” said Sheikh Hasina.
The university authority has chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day amid festivity and fanfare.
DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman announced a day-long programme to mark the day.
“We have taken elaborate initiatives to ensure the educational quality and environment on the eve of ‘Mujib Barsho’ (Mujib Year) and the centenary of the university,” the VC said.
The day-long programmes include assembly of teachers, students and staffs at 10:00 am at Mall Chattar on the campus, hoisting of the national flag as well as DU flag, releasing of pigeons, cutting a cake and arranging the musical programme and bringing out a colourful procession.
A discussion meeting titled “Qualitative Education, Barriers and Solution” will be held at the TSC auditorium where Emeritus Professor Dr Serajul Islam Choudhury will present the keynote speech.
Arts Faculty building, Curzon Hall, TSC building and other important infrastructures of the university have been illuminated displaying dazzling lights.
Moreover, a friendly cricket match will be held between Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and DU Journalists’ Association (DUJA) at 3:00 pm on the university central field.
The day is being observed to mark the launching of academic activities by the university on Jul 1, 1921.
Starting off with just 877 students in three faculties and 12 departments in 1921, the university has grown to accommodate over 43,385 students and 2,010 teachers in 84 departments and 13 institutes presently.
The DU has played a vital role in Bangladesh history. Its students and teachers had sacrificed their lives in the Language Movement in 1952, the Mass Upsurge in 1969 and the Liberation War in 1971.
Even the national flag of Bangladesh was first hoisted at the DU campus on Mar 2, 1971.
