Dhaka University campus has been decked up with colourful balloons, lights and banners on its 94th founding anniversary.
This year, the university authorities observed the occasion on Wednesday by turning the spotlight on ‘higher education’ and ‘sustainable development’.
The entire campus – the various faculty buildings and halls – were decorated with colourful festoons, floor paintings, lights and balloons, while jubilant students, both young and old, thronged the university complex.
Discussions, debates, exhibitions, painting competitions, festive processions, and cultural events were lined up to mark the anniversary.
The celebrations began around 10 am with the hoisting of the national flag, the DU flag and those of each residential halls, and the singing of the inaugural song at the university’s main square next to the administration building.
Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi inaugurated the day-long festival.
Earlier, students, teachers and university officials held a festive march and gathered at the main square.
After the opening ceremony, a colourful procession led by Gowher Rizvi and DU Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique weaved its way through the campus.
The procession, which included university teachers, senate-syndicate members, administration officials, invited guests, and students, stopped after reaching the Teachers and Student Centre (TSC).
Gowher Rizvi, in his opening remarks, said, “Dhaka University is undoubtedly the country’s best educational institution. However, in the 21st century, it has to place itself in the global context.
“To make space in a global society, students should prepare themselves to compete as global citizens. They have to be trained in such a way that they are able to confidently compete with students of various international universities across the world.”
He also recounted Dhaka University’s glorious past and its contributions to the making of history. Dhaka University and its students have excelled and left the mark of their brilliance in education, culture, and politics, and during the Liberation War in 1971.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “Education is light. This light will not only illuminate the country but will help dispel darkness from the universe. We want to move ahead by banking on education. We want sustainable development, and to maintain that we need higher educational standards.”
To mark this day, different faculties, departments, institutes, and residential halls arranged various programmes.
At 11 am a discussion session was held at the TSC auditorium. An exhibition of rare manuscripts was hosted from 10 am to 4pm at the DU central library.
From 10am to 3:30pm an exhibition of equipment used for medical science and research work by the Biomedical Physics and Technology department was held at the south-east wing of Curzon Hall.
From 11am a painting competition was held for children at the Fine Arts Institute.
From 3pm to 4pm the gallery showcased specimens of creative art by the students of the institute.
At 4pm a drama titled ‘Swadesi Naksha’ was staged by the students of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the Natmondal auditorium.
Source: Bd news24
On this occasion, I would like to say that the university authority should examine one more faculty ” Forestry ” because this is the need of the time for general education in Forestry. As every one needs to understand economics, similarly they do need to understand forestry. To face the challenges of climate change, forestry is one major instrument for the purpose. This forestry know-how is to be transmitted to the grass-root level. UNEP has its forestry program to save our planet.