Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate an international conference at Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday on the occasion of the university’s birth centenary.
Prime Minister, also a former student of the university, will inaugurate the virtual conference titled ‘Celebrating the 100 Years of the University of Dhaka: Reflections from the Alumni – International and National’ as the chief guest at 6:00 pm virtually, reports BSS.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni will address the opening ceremony as the special gust while prominent economist Rehman Sobhan will present the keynote speech, with DU Vice-chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair at university’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.
The information was made public at a press conference held on Wednesday at the university’s Abdul Matin virtual classroom adjacent to VC’s office, with DU VC in the chair.
A total of six thematic webinar series will be held throughout the year with one in every month following the first one – Science for Society in February, followed by Arts, Literature and Culture in March, Business in April, Social Sciences in May and Futures of Higher Education in June.
“We have set three primary goals to achieve from the webinars. Those are: learning and achieving the techniques to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, making 4th industrial revolution friendly Dhaka University and providing skilled manpower to the country,” said Dr Akhtaruzzaman.
“Besides, we are working to arrange an international conference in London in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), British Council and Bangladesh High Commission, London in mid-July. Her Royal Highness is expected to address the event as the chief guest,” he added.
DU Pro-VC (Academic) ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC (Administration) Mohammad Samad and Treasurer Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed were also present on the occasion.
Dhaka University, which is considered the country’s highest echelon for academic excellence, started its academic activities on July 1, 1921 with 12 departments, three faculties, 60 teachers, 877 students and three residential halls on 600 acres of land.
After 99 years, the university has 13 faculties, 13 institutes, 84 departments, 60 bureau and research centers, 19 residential halls, four hostels, 138 affiliated colleges and institutions, 46,150 students and 2,008 teachers.
The university played a vital role in the country’s history. Its students and teachers sacrificed their lives in the 1952 Language Movement, 1969 Mass Upsurge, the 1971 Liberation War and the anti-autocracy movement in 1990.