DU to hold special convocation for students of 60s-90s

A special convocation is on the cards to bring together all the Dhaka University (DU) graduates who passed during the three decades - 1960's to early 90s - when the graduates got almost no convocation.
Arrangement to hold the special convocation has come under active consideration of the DU authorities following a proposal made recently by the Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) to the Vice-Chancellor's office.
On the basis of the DUAA's proposal, the Dhaka University Senate has adopted a resolution recommending to the authorities concerned to arrange the special convocation.
The Dhaka University Deans Committee has also given consent to the proposal and forwarded the necessary documents to the DU Academic Council.
“Now we are waiting for a decision from the Academic Council which has the jurisdiction to decide on the special convocation,” Raquibuddin Ahmed, the DUAA secretary general, told the news agency.
Meanwhile, sources in the DU administration said the next meeting of the Academic Council would be held on August 25.
Raquibuddin said that during the long period from 60s to 90s, no convocation could be held due to various historic reasons including the 60s' educational movements, 1971 liberation war and political instability after the independence.
He said those DU students who did not get any convocation to attend had made ever-memorable sacrifices for the homeland.
Raquibuddin said among the several lakhs of Dhaka University graduates who did not get convocation, many already have passed away. Of the rest, many reached the last stage of life while many others are in their middle ages.
“It is the moral duty for all of us to arrange a special convocation for such Dhaka University alumnus,” he said.
The DUAA secretary general said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Agriculture Minister Begum Motia Chowdhury, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Health Adviser to the Prime Minister Syed Mudasser Ali, Awami League leaders Tofail Ahmed and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Fakhrul Islam
Alamgir, present Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad, PSC Chairman Sadat Hossain and all the present PSC members, and noted litterateur Humayun Ahmed are among the students who did not get any convocation to attend.
Raquibuddin said all the living Vice-Chancellors of Dhaka University, including present VC Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, also did not have the opportunity to receive their certificates of graduation from the university through convocation.