Jahangirnagar University (JU) wore a festive look as the whole campus has been decorated with colourful banners, festoons and placards, and all the administrative and academic buildings have been illuminated ahead of the 6th convocation due today (Saturday).
The graduates, who left the campus after obtaining their degrees and got registered for the much awaited convocation, have already reached their respective dormitories.
The former students along with the incumbent ones were seen roaming around the campus and taking photographs with classmates, friends and teachers in the traditional black convocation gowns.
Some of them were seen enjoying the occasion with their parents, spouses and to some extent children since the irregular arrangement of convocation created the opportunity of celebrating the degree awarding ceremony with even their offspring.
According to former Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Dr Abdul Bayes, the JU authorities have been able to hold only five convocations in the last 50 years until 2023.
The first convocation was held in 1997 about 26 years after the establishment of the university while second one was held in 2001, third in 2006, fourth in 2010 and the fifth in 2015. The sixth convocation, however, is going to be held tomorrow.
The graduates, who recently obtained their bachelor and master's degrees, were seen to be more excited as they got the opportunity of celebrating the ceremony throughout a week.
"We have completed our graduation recently. So we are fortunate to participate in the convocation staying on the campus," Nur Mohammad, a fresh graduate from JU Public Administration Department, told BSS.
He said that they were enjoying the festive atmosphere on the campus centering the convocation.
Context of Mahfujur Rahman is different from Mohammad as he left the campus three years back after completing his post graduation in Physics.
"Since no convocation was held for the last eight years, we were unfortunate to celebrate the convocation staying at dormitories. However, I have come to the campus yesterday after a long time," Mahfujur said on Friday.
He added: "I brought my parents with me to make them witness the degree awarding ceremony, for which they would feel proud".
Through tomorrow's convocation Chancellor of the university President M Abdul Hamid will confer bachelor, master, M.Phil and PhD degrees to 15,219 students.
Of them, 16 will be conferred with the gold medals for their outstanding results in honours and master's examinations. Besides, PhD and M.Phil degrees will be awarded to 280 and 34 students respectively.
Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique will be present at the ceremony as the convocation speaker.
Ahead of the convocation, the university authorities have already completed all preparations and taken foolproof security measures to hold the ceremony smoothly and successfully.
Along with a central management committee, 15 sub-committees were formed to make the convocation a success.
JU VC Professor Dr Nurul Alam said, "We have completed all sorts of preparations to hold the convocation successfully. I am overwhelmed to be able to hold the convocation after a long break within a short time after I assumed the office as the VC".
He sought cooperation from all to take forward the university with collective efforts.
Convener of the pandal and seat management sub-committee Professor Bashir Ahmed said, "After completing all works, including lighting and decoration, of the pandal, we already handed over the responsibility to the Special Security Force (SSF)".
The law enforcement agencies have already conducted their trials at the venue, he said, adding that from now they will manage all matters including security issue until the convocation end.
Convener of food sub-committee, Professor Syed Hafizur Rahman said, "We have taken all-out preparation to serve the participants quality food".
The food will be distributed among the participants from five counters while BNCC and rover scout members of the university will maintain security and discipline.