Financial grants for 224 DU students

A total of 224 students of Dhaka University (DU) were awarded financial grants yesterday in recognition of their outstanding academic results.
Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) in cooperation with Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) awarded the meritorious students of all 56 departments of DU, four of each department, at a ceremony at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium as part of their five-year financial grant programme.
All 224 students received a onetime grant of Tk 2,500 and a Certificate of Excellence at the ceremony for their outstanding academic achievements in 2007. The students would also get free career counselling, the organisers said.
DU Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz, Chairman of EBL Ahmed Qamrul Islam Chowdhury OBE, and DUAA President Syed Manzur Elahi handed over the grants to seven students yesterday.
Speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony, Prof Faiz said, "You [students] are much more enlightened and you have to be considerably responsive towards your families, your nation and yourself."
He said, "The nation has great expectations from the students and you have to set glorious examples before it… you have to be honest towards your work, nation and yourself, and you also have to raise yourself to international standard."
EBL Chairman Qamrul said the bank has initiated the programme as part of carrying out its social responsibilities and this type of supportive programmes will continue in future.
He said EBL considers it a long-term investment in building relationships.
Qamrul urged the students to move the country forward with their plans, responsibilities and sincerity.
DUAA President Syed Manzur Elahi said the private sector has become the main source of jobs and the corporate world should extend its helping hand to develop countries.
He said apart from industrialisation, the private sector also has some social responsibilities towards the nation.
Manzur also said, "It is not possible to move forward without the cooperation of the corporate world."
He urged the government to grant tax-free donations for corporate organisations to encourage them to come forward.
Raquibuddin Ahmed, secretary general of DUAA, said a selection committee headed by the DU VC prepared the list.
CEO of EBL Ali Reza Iftekhar, DU faculty deans, department chairs, teachers, parents and students were present at the ceremony.