East West University (EWU) held its freshers’ reception for the Fall Semester 2026 on Thursday, also commemorating the life and works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as part of ‘Nazrul Year’.
The ceremony was held at the university campus in Aftabnagar, Dhaka, with University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed attending as the chief guest.
Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the UGC treats public and private universities equally, with merit being the primary consideration in allocating funds for higher education and research.
He said the government has already reduced VAT on private universities by 5%, while the UGC is working to reduce it by a further 5%.
Congratulating EWU on its achievements over the past 30 years, he urged newly admitted students to develop their skills and leadership qualities by actively participating in university clubs.
Presiding over the ceremony, Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, chairperson of the EWU Board of Trustees and former governor of Bangladesh Bank, said the university was established 30 years ago with a vision to provide quality higher education to deserving students from lower-middle-income families.
He said the vision has largely been realized and that all surplus funds at EWU are reinvested in student development through various scholarship programs.
EWU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shams Rahman said the university equips students with academic knowledge and contemporary skills to help them build successful careers at home and abroad.
Professor Dr Anup Chowdhury, dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, and a representative of the newly admitted students also spoke at the ceremony.
Following the discussions, a cultural program was held to celebrate ‘Nazrul Year’, featuring performances by the East West University Club for Performing Arts (ECPA) and renowned Nazrul Sangeet artist Khairul Anam Shakil.
Members of the EWU Board of Trustees, faculty members, officers, staff and newly admitted students attended the ceremony.