Dhaka University, the country's highest echelon of academic excellence, on Saturday (Jul 1) celebrated its 103rd founding anniversary in a festive manner. The theme of this year's founding anniversary is – ‘University in Building Smart Bangladesh’, local media reported.
The university chalked out colorful programmes to celebrate the day. The programmes included hoisting of national and DU flags, releasing of pigeons and balloons, presentation of theme song, procession and discussion.
The programmes began at 10 a.m. by hoisting of national, DU and hall flags and releasing of pigeons and balloons on the premises of Payra Chattar at Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on the campus. A cake was cut on the occasion. DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the programme.
Earlier, a colorful procession was brought out from ‘Sriti Chirantan’ with the participation of teachers, students, officials and employees and alumni. The VC led the procession.
A discussion titled ‘University in Building Smart Bangladesh’ was held at the TSC at 10.30 a.m. with Prof Akhtaruzzaman in the chair. Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr. Mashiur Rahman presented the keynote paper in the discussion. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr Muhammad Samad, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal, Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) General Secretary Prof Prof Zeenat Huda, Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) acting Secretary General Suvas Singho Roy, DU unit General Secretary of Chhatra League Tanbir Hasan Shaikat spoke on the occasion, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, DU VC urged the students, teachers, officials and employees to develop their technological skills to help build a Smart Bangladesh.
Presenting the keynote, Dr. Mashiur Rahman underscored the need for strengthening and expanding science, technology and technical education from secondary level to build a Smart Bangladesh. It will be possible to build a prosperous Bangladesh, if human resources with skills in science and technology can be created and social transformation is needed for that, he mentioned. He also stressed on increasing budgetary allocation on research for building a knowledge based society.