Published : 10 Sep 2026, 11:39 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:49 AM
East West University (EWU) has welcomed its newly admitted students at a Fall Semester 2026 freshers’ reception while commemorating the life and works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The university said on Thursday that the Freshers’ Reception Ceremony was held at its campus in Dhaka’s Aftabnagar as part of observances marking “Nazrul Year”.
At the event, University Grants Commission (UGC) Mamun Ahmed said the regulatory body treats public and private universities equally, with merit as the main consideration when providing funds for higher education and research.
He said the government has already cut VAT on private universities by 5 percentage points, while the UGC is working to reduce it by another 5 percentage points.
Ahmed congratulated EWU on its achievements over the past 30 years and urged new students to develop their skills and leadership qualities by taking part in university clubs.
EWU Board of Trustees Chairperson Mohammed Farashuddin, a former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, said the university had largely achieved the vision set 30 years ago of providing quality higher education to deserving students from lower-middle-income families.
Farashuddin said all surplus funds at EWU are reinvested in student development through various scholarship programmes.
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.
Prof Dr Anup Chowdhury, dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, and a representative of the newly admitted students also spoke at the event.
A cultural programme celebrating “Nazrul Year” followed the discussions, featuring performances by the East West University Club for Performing Arts (ECPA) and Nazrul Sangeet artist Khairul Anam Shakil.
Members of the Board of Trustees, faculty members, officers, staff and newly admitted students attended the ceremony.
