DU cheers 98th founding anniversary

Bangladesh’s oldest university and highest stratum of academic excellence, Dhaka University (DU), is celebrating its 98th founding anniversary today [Monday] in a befitting manner.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency.

 “The Dhaka University (DU) is a glittering example of the country. I express sincere greetings to the current and former students, teachers, guardians and the staffs on the 98th founding anniversary of the university, which is promoting knowledge for a long time,” Hamid said in his message.

Hasina added: “A knowledge-based society is a pre-requisite to establish a developed Bangladesh within 2041. Everybody hopes that Dhaka University will play a key role in creating knowledge through providing quality education and research.”

Pointing to the challenges of the globalization, Hasina “urge the DU authorities to introduce all concerned with innovations in the era of globalization, spread the field of research and utilise the knowledge for the welfare of the people and the country.”

Hasina also expressed her greetings to the members of DU family on the 98th anniversary. “Today, Bangladesh is synonymous with the journey of continuous development and the Dhaka University with its world-class excellence is one of the main associates of advancing Bangladesh”.

The theme of this year’s DU Day is “Qualitative Education, Barriers and Solution”. “I appreciate the DU authority to select such a timely theme,” Hasina said, adding that It is praiseworthy the way DU is working to achieve the expected quality of education.

The university authority has chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day amid festivity and fanfare.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman announced a day-long programme to mark the day. “We have taken elaborate initiatives to ensure the educational quality and environment on the eve of ‘Mujib Barsho’ (Mujib Year) and the centenary of the university,” the VC said.

The day-long programmes include: assembly of teachers, students and staffs at 10:00am at Mall Chattar on the campus, hoisting of the national flag as well as DU flag, releasing of pigeons, cutting cake and arranging musical programme and bringing out colourful procession.

A discussion meeting titled “Qualitative Education, Barriers and Solution” will be held at the Teacher-Student Centre [TSC] auditorium where Emeritus Professor Dr. Serajul Islam Choudhury will present the keynote speech.

Arts Faculty building, Curzon Hall, TSC building and other important infrastructures of the university have been illuminated displaying dazzling lights. Rare manuscripts are being exhibited at the university central library from 10am to 1pm on that day.

Moreover, a friendly cricket match will be held between Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and DU Journalists’ Association (DUJA) at 3:00 pm on the university central field.

The day is being observed to mark the launching of academic activities by the university on July 1, 1921.

Starting off with just 877 students in three faculties and 12 departments in 1921, the university has grown to accommodate over 43,385 students and 2,010 teachers in 84 departments and 13 institutes presently.

The DU has played a vital role in Bangladesh history. Its students and teachers had sacrificed their lives in the Language Movement in 1952, the Mass Upsurge in 1969 and the Liberation War in 1971.

Even the national flag of Bangladesh was first hoisted at Bot Tola on the DU campus on March 2, 1971.

However, the university has also suffered many times from intensely politicized, partisan, and violent campus politics promoted by Bangladesh's political parties.

Kamruzzaman