Dhaka University (DU), the country’s oldest university, on Wednesday celebrated its 99th founding anniversary, but it preferred holding low-key programs to celebrate the big moment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of marking the milestone, the national as well as the university flags were hoisted in front of Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban around 10:30 am.
Meanwhile, an online discussion began at 11am at the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom with DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
With the vow to ensure quality standards of education and research in the upcoming centenary, the university fixed the tag line: “Dhaka University in its centenary. Context: Movement and struggle.”
The virtual meeting observed a minute silence in remembrance of all the teachers and staff of the university who sacrificed their lives during different democratic movements, and also for the frontline fighters who died battling the coronavirus pandemic.
While addressing the meeting, DU VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said: “The Dhaka University is observing its founding anniversary in such time while the Mujib Birth Centenary Year is ongoing as well as the nation is preparing to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence.”
He expressed hope to celebrate the milestone with more enthusiasm after the global pandemic ends.
The DU VC also spoke about the pledge of the celebration, which aims to widen the research work and ensure quality education.
“I urge all concerned with the university to work diligently for the implementation of our pledge of stepping into 100th year,” Akhtaruzzaman furthered.
National Prof Rafiqul Islam of ULAB termed country’s first university as an “integral part of national history.”
He said: "Dhaka University is such a university which has led all democratic movements from the front. The teachers, students, and staff of the university sacrificed their lives in those movements.”
He mentioned its role for contributing in the arena of science and technology, and also the socio-economic development of the country.
DU Pro-VC (Academic) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Muhammad Samad and Treasurer Prof Kamal Uddin also addressed the program.
Dhaka University, which is considered as the country’s highest echelon for academic excellence, started its academic activities on July 1, 1921 with 12 departments, three faculties, 60 teachers, 877 students, three residential halls and about 600 acres of land.
It has played a vital role in the country’s history. Its students and teachers sacrificed their lives in the 1952 Language Movement , 1969 Mass Upsurge and during the 1971 Liberation War and anti-autocracy movement in 1990.
