Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hassan Mahmud said the present government wants to establish a knowledge-based, just society. We live in a multidimensional society. Without a multidimensional society based on knowledge and justice, democracy is not well organised and the country cannot move forward.
Where free speech is not practiced, society does not prosper. In many countries free speech is suppressed. We want to establish a multidimensional society. Where students will enlighten Bangladesh to the world by contributing to knowledge and science University students have more opportunities to do that.
He said this while addressing a discussion meeting on the occasion of 56th founding anniversary of Chittagong University (CU) on Thursday.
On the occasion of the 56th University Day, a joyous rally was held from the premises of Shaheed Minar to various roads of the university on Thursday morning. Later, a cake was cut at Jarultala of the university.
Reminiscing about Chittagong University, the Information Minister said, “Today is the 56th birthday of Chittagong University. I came back from abroad and attended the event without going to the office and Parliament because my passion and love for this university is deep. There are many dreams and memories surrounding this university. Many of my friends are no longer alive. Many are teachers at this university.”
“I remember when the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to this campus in 1979. I was not a university student then however, I was acting as the president of Chhatra League. At that time there was an evil force on this campus,” said Dr Hasan Mahmud.
Noting that the university is not only a place for achieving certificates, the information minister said, “Degrees will be awarded in the university, there will be teaching-research, there will be culture-politics and the practice of liberation too. University students will participate in various debate competitions and take initiative in cultural activities. In this way their intellect and thinking will be developed.”
He said, “If the students of the university do not do these things, it will not be any different from the university built on the garment market of Dhaka city. Free culture must be practiced here. That culture must be the culture of traditional Bengal, not the practice of Hindi or English songs. Nazrul Jayanti, Rabindra Jayanti will be celebrated here. This campus will be decorated in a colorful way on Pohela Boishakh.”
“There are evicted hills around the university. University authorities can ask the government to do so. Endangered species of trees can be planted there by giving responsibility to the forest and ecology department of the university. In this way, the green of the campus can be retained”, he said.
Information Minister Hassan Mahmud said, “There are many talented teachers in this campus. The students of this university are engaged in various high level posts in the country and abroad. However, if you look at the rankings, it is at the very bottom. So I would say that in order to advance in the rankings, those who prepare these reports should contact the university to provide relevant information.
Then it will move up a lot in the rankings because those who do rankings may not have enough data.”
