Bangladesh News

President Iajuddin Ahmed said session jams at public universities are the main reason for high cost of higher education, students’ loss of valuable time and waste of huge number of working hours of universities.

“Session jam, though not crippling, is a matter of concern in most public universities of the country. Due to the persisting session jam, the cost of education is increasing, the students are losing many valuable years from their lives and a huge number of university work hours are also being wasted,” he said while speaking at the 44th convocation ceremony of Dhaka University yesterday.

He urged all including students, teachers, guardians, members of the civil society and national leaders to consider the issue and find out a solution.

Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin during his speech at the ceremony suggested forming a commission comprising university teachers, linguists, politicians, writers, intellectuals, journalists and scholars to establish mother tongue Bangla at all levels.

“It is regrettable that mother language is yet to be established at all levels. For this reason, a commission will have to be formed. Based on the reports of the commission, necessary measures will have to be taken so that Bangla can be used in all spheres,” he said during the ceremony.

The convocation formally began with the convocation procession led by the president and chancellor of Dhaka University. The procession started from Curzon Hall and ended at the university gymnasium ground where around 3,885 graduates and post-graduates–1,843 male and 2,042 females–received their certificates.

Twenty-four students received M Phil degrees, 29 PhD degrees and 52 students were given gold medals for their outstanding results. Language Movement veterans ANM Gaziul Haque and Abdul Matin were given Doctor of Law degree.

President Iajuddin Ahmed during his speech emphasised the importance of English in higher education alongside Bangla.

“Like many others, I also personally want that our mother language has its place in academic activities of the universities. But, at the same time considering globalisation and internationalism of English, English has to be given emphasis in higher education,” he said.

Expressing his concern over session jam at public universities, he said the education system at universities has to be drastically recast so that people after graduating can help widen the nation’s vision and foster learning and culture.

He said public universities should take some precautionary steps so that people of the country are not deprived due to session jam since a large part of their contribution to the exchequer is spent on the universities.

He suggested running public the universities with the involvement of guardians alongside teachers, students, officials and employees.

Iajuddin stressed the need for universities to support a knowledge-based society and nurture knowledge-oriented individuals who can transcend the boundaries of the of the country.

The success and fame of a university depends on its students and teachers, he said adding that the works and researches by university teachers spread the good reputation of the university.

Referring to the glorious history of Dhaka University, the president said, “I hope the contribution of Dhaka University in the forward march of the nation to a brighter future would be even stronger.”

Addressing those who received degrees, Iajuddin said, “Getting a certificate just to get a job should not be the ultimate aim of education. The significance of this achievement is far-reaching. I hope all will remain active and alert in discharging their responsibilities in their respective fields.”

Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said the university’s main aim is to spread knowledge and uphold social historical values.

Language Movement veteran ANM Gaziul Haque’s speech was read out on his behalf as he could not attend the ceremony due to illness.

Acting Registrar of Dhaka University Rezaur Rahman conducted the main ceremony. Pro-vice chancellor Prof AFM Yusuf Haider also spoke at the ceremony.