Dhaka University (DU), the country’s oldest and premier university, on Wednesday celebrated its 99th founding anniversary. However, the celebrations were low key due to the coronavirus pandemic.
To mark the milestone, the national as well as university flags were hoisted before Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at 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 a vow to ensure quality standards of education and research in the upcoming centenary, the university settled on the tag line: “Dhaka University in its centenary. Context: Movement and struggle.”
The virtual meeting observed a minute’s silence in remembrance of all teachers and staff of the university who sacrificed their lives in the course of different democratic movements, and also for the frontline fighters who have died battling the coronavirus pandemic.
While addressing the meeting, DU VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said: “Dhaka University is observing its founding anniversary at such a time when the Mujib Birth Centenary Year is ongoing and at the same time the nation is preparing to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence.”
He expressed the hope of celebrating the milestone with greater enthusiasm after the global pandemic ends.
The DU VC also spoke about the pledge of the celebrations, which aims to widen research work and ensure quality education at the university.
“I urge all concerned with the university to work diligently for the implementation of our pledge of stepping into the university’s 100th year,” Akhtaruzzaman added.
National Prof Rafiqul Islam of ULAB termed the 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. Teachers, students and staff of the university have sacrificed their lives in those movements.”
He mentioned its role in contributing to science and technology and also to 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 institution of academic excellence, commenced 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 in the anti-autocracy movement in 1990. ***
