Dhaka University celebrates 94th founding anniversary

The Dhaka University campus has been decked up with colourful balloons, lights and banners in celebration of its 94th founding anniversary.

This year, the university commemorated the occasion on Wednesday by turning the spotlight on ‘higher education’ and ‘sustainable development’.

The entire campus – the faculty buildings and halls - were spruced up with colourful festoons, Alpana or floor paintings, lights and balloons.

Jubilant students, both current and past, thronged the premises of Bangladesh’s premier seat of learning.

Discussions, debates, exhibitions, painting competitions, festive rallies, and cultural events were lined up to mark the anniversary.

The celebrations began around 10 am with the hoisting of the national flag, the university flag and those of each residential halls, and the singing of the inaugural song at the university’s main square next to the Registrar Building.

Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi inaugurated the day-long festivities.

Earlier, students, teachers and officials took out a festive march and gathered at the main square.

After the opening ceremony, a colourful procession led by Rizvi and Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique weaved its way through the campus.

The procession, which included university teachers, Senate and Syndicate members, administration officials, invited guests, and students, dispersed at the Teacher and Student Centre (TSC).

Gowher Rizvi, in his opening remarks, said, “Dhaka University is undoubtedly the country’s best educational institution. However, in the 21st century, it has to position itself in the global context.

“To make space in a global society, students should prepare themselves to compete as global citizens. They have to be trained in such a way that they are able to confidently compete with students of various international universities across the world.”

He also recounted Dhaka University’s glorious past and its contributions to the making of history.

Dhaka University and its students have excelled and left the mark of their brilliance on education, culture, and politics, and during the Liberation War in 1971. 

VC Arefin Siddique said, “Education is light. This light will not only illuminate the country but will help dispel darkness from the universe as well.

“We want to move ahead by banking on education. We want sustainable development, and to maintain that we need higher educational standards.”

“We want to move ahead by banking on education. We want sustainable development, and to maintain that we need higher educational standards.”

To mark this day, different faculties, departments, institutes, and residential halls arranged a host of programmes.

At 11am, a discussion was held at the TSC auditorium. An exhibition of rare manuscripts was open from 10am to 4pm at the Central Library.

From 10am to 3:30pm, an exhibition of equipment used for medical science and research work by the Department of Biomedical Physics and Technology was held at the south-east wing of Curzon Hall.

A painting competition for children was held from 11am at the Fine Arts Institute.

From 3pm to 4pm, its gallery showcased specimens of creative art by the students of the institute.

A drama titled ‘Swadesi Naksha’ was staged by the students of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the Natmondal auditorium at 4pm.