Dhaka University, the highest echelon of academic excellence, is set to begin the celebration of its hundredth founding anniversary and the golden jubilee of the country's independence on Wednesday (Dec 1).
The 16-day grand celebration programme from Dec 1 to Dec 16 include holding series of discussion, documentary exhibition, organising series of cultural events, holding rally and placing wreaths at national memorial.
The celebration will be commenced with a grand opening ceremony at university's central field and it will be ended on Independence Day with a concert held in the central playground of the university.
President Md. Abdul Hamid is expected to inaugurate the opening ceremony as the chief guest while speaker of the Jatiyo Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will address as special guest, with DU Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, DU Alumni Association president AK Azad, Chairmen of University Grants Commission Dr Kazi Shahidullah, DU Pro-VC (Academic) Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Mohammad Samad also addressed the opening ceremony as special guest.
The president, also Chancellor of the university Md. Abdul Hamid will unveil special books, photography albums and websites on the centenary of the university. Besides, a documentary and a theme song on the centenary will also be released on the inauguration day on Dec 1.
In the afternoon, another discussion will be held attended by the Vice-Chancellor of Kolkata University Dr Sonali Chakravati Banerjee as the guest of honor, with National Professor Prof. Dr. Serajul Islam Chowdhury in the chair.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Anisul Haque, state Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, Former Vice President of DUCSU Mujahidul Islam Selim and Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury will also address the discussion.
Besides, a cultural event will be organised on Wednesday evening which will be performed by the prominent and renewed artists from Bangladesh and India.
Each day from Dec 1 to Dec 4, two discussions and a cultural event will be held on the occasion of the birth centenary of the country's oldest university.
Meanwhile, a joyful atmosphere has been prevailing at every corner of the university campus as faculties, dormitories, streets and different key points of the campus has been decorated with colorful light, banner and pistons featuring university's logo.
On Dec 12, a colorful rally will be brought out by the students, teachers, officials of the university, led by VC Dr MD Akhtaruzzaman from the premises of university's Aparajeo Bangla which will end at Central Shaheed Minar.
On the Victory Day, floral wreaths will be placed at the National Memorial at Savar by the students, teachers and officials of the university.
The 16 day celebration will end on this day with a concert at the central playground of the university.
Dhaka University, considered the country's highest echelon for academic excellence, started its academic journey on Jul 1, 1921 with 12 departments, three faculties, 60 teachers, 877 students and three residential halls on 600 acres of land.
Today the university has 84 departments, 13 faculties, 13 institutes, 60 bureau and research centres, 19 residential halls, four hostels, 138 affiliated colleges and institutions, 46,150 students and 2,008 teachers.