<i>Dhaka University's 91st founding anniversary today</i>
Hundreds of people will take part in the celebrations marking the 91st anniversary of Dhaka University today.
The festivities begin at Mall Chattar with the students, academic staff and the university administration cutting a cake and bringing out a colourful procession ending at the Teacher-Student Centre. A discussion will then be held there.
Moreover, colourful lights will brightly illuminate the academic buildings at night, a symbol of the university's aim of spreading quality higher education to develop the nation's socio-economic condition.
Starting off with just 847 students in three faculties and 12 departments in 1921, the university has grown to accommodate over 34,000 students and 1,805 teachers in 67 departments and 10 institutes at present.
In spite of the lack of books and journals, the Dhaka University Central Library satisfies 1,000 seekers of knowledge at any one time.
Some 12,000 students make 18 dormitories and two hostels of the university their home away from home. Another two, having a 2,500-strong capacity, are in the making.
Over the decades, the university has churned out thousands of brilliant graduates despite the restrictions barring its development, for instance, accommodation crisis, insufficient library space, political instability, violence, session jams, unhealthy dining facilities and fund shortages.
On the occasion, noted personalities who graduated from the university recommended effective steps to provide solutions to these impairments.
Eminent educationalist Prof Anisuzzaman suggested holding Ducsu and hall union elections to avert instability on the campus.
Former DU vice chancellor Prof Dr Emazuddin Ahmed said the government should allocate 3.5 to 4 percent of the budget for the education sector, as done in neighbouring countries.
“The university must remain free of any form of political influence. It should also develop the proficiency of the students in English to make them fit for this competitive world,” he said.
DU VC Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said the government and University Grants Commission must come forward with financial assistance to overcome all forms of problems.
Problems will not go away in a day but the UGC will try its utmost over allocations to reach the level of education and quantity of research achievements sought by the nation, said UGC Chairman Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury.
The eminent citizens remain ever hopeful that this educational institution, from which students came forward to lead the language movement, mass uprising and Liberation War in 1952, 1969 and 1971 respectively, will surely produce beautiful minds in the days to come.
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