Dhaka University (DU), the country's highest echelon of academic excellence, on Saturday celebrated its 103rd founding anniversary in a festive manner.
The theme of this year's founding anniversary was "University in Building Smart Bangladesh".
The university chalked out colorful programs to celebrate the day. The programs included hoisting national and DU flags, releasing pigeons and balloons, presentation of the theme song, procession, and discussion.
The programs began at 10am by hoisting of national, DU and hall flags and releasing pigeons and balloons on the premises of Payra Chattar at Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on the campus. A cake was cut on the occasion as well.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the program.
Earlier, a colorful procession was brought out from Smriti Chirantan with the participation of teachers, students, officials, employees and alumni. The vice chancellor led the procession.
A discussion titled "University in Building Smart Bangladesh" was held at TSC at 10:30am with Prof Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman presented the keynote paper in the discussion.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr Muhammad Samad, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr ASM. Maksud Kamal, Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka University Teachers Association (Duta) General Secretary Prof Zeenat Huda, Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) acting Secretary General Suvas Singho Roy, DU unit General Secretary of Chhatra League Tanbir Hasan Shaikat spoke on the occasion, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, DU VC urged the students, teachers, officials, and employees to develop their technical skills to help build a Smart Bangladesh.
Presenting the keynote, Dr Mashiur Rahman underscored the need for strengthening and expanding science, technology, and technical education from the secondary level to build a Smart Bangladesh.
It will be possible to build a prosperous Bangladesh if human resources with skills in science and technology can be created and social transformation is needed for that, he mentioned.
He also stressed increasing budgetary allocation on research for building a knowledge-based society.