She said: "We want to see our universities as the centres for practising intellect and free thinking... We want them to bring together meritorious and diligent scholars who will work as think-tank for the nation."

She was speaking at the silver jubilee function of Kushtia Islami University at Shantidanga-Duralpur.

The prime minister, also the chancellor of the university, formally opened the silver jublee programme by releasing a flock of pigeons and colourful balloons.

Earlier, she also inaugurated the newly built Mir Mosharref Hossain academy building on the campus, constructed at a cost of Tk 4.40crore.

She said the Islami University should teach the real values of Islam, the religion of humanity and peace.

Khaleda paid tribute to the memory of late president Ziaur Rahman who had laid the foundation stone of the university on November 22, 1979. She also recalled the contributions of the then prime minister late Shah Azizur Rahman to establishing the university.

The celebration of the silver jubilee programme will not be successful without evaluating the performance of the university, she said, asking for reviewing whether the goals of establishing the university are being achieved or not, and if not, she suggested them to find out the reasons.

Terming the students the conscious part of the nation, the prime minister urged them to build themselves up as good citizens by practising knowledge and by adding the values of Islam and morality to their knowledge.

"The nation expects many things from the university as the highest institution for Islamic education and it is your duty to show the path of Islam alongside pursuing knowledge," she said.

She urged the students and teachers to maintain a peaceful environment on the campus, remove session jams and raise the standard of education to achieve the goals of establishing the university.

Ministers, MPs, present and former vice-chancellors of the university, students, teachers, local elite and political leaders were present at the function.

Jute and Textile Minister and Minister-in-charge of Kushtia Shajahan Siraj, State Minister for Education Ehsanul Haq Milon, Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Md Rafiqul Islam, Shahidul Islam MP and Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi MP also spoke.

Later, the prime minister inaugurated the Lalon Academy Complex at Cheuria near the district town.