Dhaka: Two students from the Music Department of Dhaka University have been awarded the ‘Firoza Begum Memorial Gold Medal’ for achieving the highest CGPA in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) examinations for the years 2022 and 2023. In addition, 11 students enrolled in the 2023-24 first-year undergraduate program have been granted the ‘Firoza Begum Memorial Scholarship’.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the awards were presented by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam during a ceremony held at the Special Conference Room of Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban. The event took place on Tuesday, with Treasurer Prof Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury presiding over the program.

Special guests at the ceremony included Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker and ACI Foundation Chairman and trustee fund donor M Anis Ud Dowla. Sadia Afrin Mallik, chief of cultural initiatives at The Daily Star and founding president of ‘Gems of Nazrul’, delivered a memorial lecture titled ‘Surer Dhrubatara: Sur Samraggi Firoza Begum’.

The program was moderated by Acting Registrar Munsi Shams Uddin Ahmed, with the vote of thanks delivered by Department Chairperson Dr Priyanka Gope. During the event, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam paid tribute to the late singer Firoza Begum, acknowledging her significant contributions to the advancement of the country’s music sector. He expressed that the nation would always remember her contributions with respect.

The vice-chancellor congratulated the gold medalists, Nurejannat Afris and Arpita De, and the scholarship recipients, encouraging them to embody the values and qualities of Firoza Begum and to take a leading role in building an enlightened society. The scholarship recipients include Rushda Jahan Ruhi, Atasi De, Pushpita Roy Pushpa, Bhagyalakshmi Chakraborty, Maysha Farzana Oishi, Dip Das, Sheikh Jerin Shabnam, Ratul De Dipto, Purvasha Mondal, Arpita Sikdar, and Mayesha Sultana Urbi.