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Download PDF The 43rd convocation of Dhaka University (DU) will be held today at the central playground of the university amid boycott decision of the pro-Awami League teachers and different student organisations.
The DU will confer an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Nobel Peace prize winner Prof Muhammad Yunus at the convocation ceremony.
A total of 7,755 graduates, including 4,050 female students, will receive certificates while the DU authorities will award 84 gold medals to 61 students for their outstanding academic performances at the convocation.
President Iajuddin Ahmed, also the DU chancellor, will preside over the programme and hand over certificates.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, advisers, secretaries, diplomats and representatives of foreign missions in Bangladesh, senate and syndicate members and other important personalities are expected to join the ceremony.
However, in an exceptional move, no political or student leaders have been invited this year.
Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof SMA Faiz told reporters that preparations for the convocation were almost done. According to him, the programme would house about 10,000 people.
A colourful rally from the Curzon Hall will mark the beginning of the convocation, the fourth since independence. DU authorities have asked the students and others to be present at the venue by 9:15am.
There will be separate entrances for the graduates and guests, who will not be allowed to carry cameras, cell phones or handbags.
The authorities yesterday held a rehearsal of the graduates and gold medallists on how to receive certificates and medals.
No classes and examinations will be held at the university today on account of a general holiday due to the convocation.
DU Proctor AKA Firoz Ahmed said security personnel from Special Security Forces, Police’s Special Branch, National Security Intelligence and Rapid Action Battalion have already been deployed in and around the venue to ensure security.
BOYCOTT
Meanwhile, pro-AL and progressive teachers yesterday reiterated their boycott decision as, according to them, the authorities have ‘ignored’ their demand that the president and chancellor of the university must not chair the programme.
Blue Panel teachers at a press conference demanded a fresh schedule for the convocation. According to them, 18 senate members, three syndicate members and deans of the social science and biological science faculties will not attend the convocation.
According to sources, they took the decision also for the authorities’ controversial and mysterious position on Prof Yunus as convocation speaker.
Regarding the boycott, the VC said, “We decided not to make Prof Yunus the convocation speaker as demanded by a section of teachers…but now they came up with a new issue that was not on their agenda.”
He said, “As a VC, I am more concerned about the participating graduates, who have been waiting for days, rather than the boycott.”
Meanwhile, different student organisations and a section of general students yesterday protested against the DU authorities’ decision to confer Doctor of Laws degree upon Nobel laureate Prof Yunus.
They described him as a controversial person and a broker for western imperialism and also urged Prof Yunus not to join the convocation.
Chhatra Sangram Parishad, an alliance of 14-party-backed student organisation led by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Progotishil Chhatra Jote, a combine of left-leaning student bodies, Hizbut-Tahrir’s student front Bangladesh Chhatra Mukti and general students under the banner of “DU Students” decided to observe Black Day today.
Different socio-cultural organisations of Jahangirnagar University and Eden College yesterday also expressed solidarity with the decision of observing the Black Day.
BCL President Mahmud Hasan Ripon urged the graduates not to attend the convocation and receive certificates from the controversial president.
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