Dhaka University also has a role in consolidating democracy: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that Dhaka University students have led all democratic movements and struggles in Bangladesh. It has been possible to restore democracy in the country after much sacrifice and bloodshed. Now it is the turn to consolidate democracy. Dhaka University has a role to play in this regard too.

The Prime Minister said this in a message on the occasion of 'Dhaka University Day', the 105th founding anniversary of Dhaka University on Wednesday.

Tarique Rahman said, "The 105th founding anniversary of Dhaka University, one of the oldest and most traditional higher education institutions in the subcontinent, known as the Oxford of the East, is being celebrated. This is certainly a matter of pride for us. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all members of the university family, including respected teachers, students, guardians, former and current students."

The Prime Minister mentioned that Dhaka University has been playing a leading role in the expansion of higher education, knowledge pursuit and research in the country since 1921. He said that Dhaka University students have led all democratic movements and struggles in Bangladesh, including the historic language movement, the great liberation war, the anti-dictatorship mass uprising of the 1990s, and the anti-fascist student-people's uprising of 2024. Thousands of promising students have had to give their lives in anti-dictatorship and anti-fascist movements and struggles at different times.

Tarique Rahman said, "We have been able to restore democracy in the country at the cost of much sacrifice and blood. Now it is the turn to consolidate democracy. Dhaka University has a role to play in this regard too."

In such a context, the Prime Minister felt that this year's theme of University Day, 'Dhaka University in Restoration of Democracy and Higher Education', was very timely.

The Prime Minister mentioned that in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is no alternative to modernizing the conventional education curriculum to meet the challenges of artificial intelligence and automation. In this context, he said, it is the demand of the hour for universities to set a new course of action to develop the future generation as skilled human resources.

Tarique Rahman observed that to cope with the technological revolution, there is no alternative to including subjects like artificial intelligence, cyber security, programming, digital entrepreneurship, quantum computing, nanotechnology, 5G technology in the education curriculum. Education should not be based only on certificates but should emphasize on work skills and practical education, which will help students acquire the ability to perform any responsibility in real life. That is why it is important to focus on students' acquisition of practical skills in addition to theoretical knowledge.

The Prime Minister mentioned that it has become urgent to implement the issue of strengthening internships, apprenticeships and industry-academia cooperation by increasing coordination between universities and industrial institutions, not just by planning or taking steps.

Tarique Rahman said, "Recruitment of skilled teachers should be ensured by giving utmost importance to merit and academic qualifications. The culture of research must be strengthened in universities. In order to survive in the competition with the world's renowned universities, it is important to focus more on research and innovation along with textbook education."

The Prime Minister mentioned that many alumni of Dhaka University are making important contributions in various professional fields including knowledge, science, and economics in various universities and institutions in the country and abroad. He said that there is an opportunity to involve those established alumni in the development of education and research of the university. In many countries of the world, including the UK, alumni of the university sponsor research and innovation activities. She called on alumni of Dhaka University to be more actively involved in research and innovation.

Tarique Rahman said that a multidimensional education structure should be developed by integrating culture, sports, and creative practices with the education system. To find a place in the global job market, students should be proficient in a third language along with Bengali and English. Along with technical skills, they should be motivated by moral education.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that students should be aware of mental health, social inclusion and environmental protection. He said that the youth should be developed as entrepreneurs from the university campus itself, so that they are able to create employment on their own instead of chasing jobs. In this regard, Dhaka University can play a historic role.

In his message, the Prime Minister wished the overall success of all the programs organized on the occasion of 'Dhaka University Day'.