Dhaka: Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office. DU Sada Dol Convener, Syndicate Member and Professor of the Department of Marketing Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan was also present during the meeting.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor briefed the Prime Minister on the overall security situation on the campus, the progress of the university’s major development project, and other development initiatives, including the proposed 20-year Academic Development Plan of Dhaka University. He also discussed the university’s education and research activities, initiatives to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, joint academic and research programs with renowned universities worldwide, efforts to expand the alumni network, and various recent initiatives undertaken for student welfare.
The Vice-Chancellor sought the Prime Minister’s cooperation in securing special status for Dhaka University in recognition of its historic contributions to significant movements, including the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement. He also requested the Prime Minister’s support for increasing the university’s research funding, strengthening industry-academia collaboration and alumni networking, and advancing education and research in artificial intelligence, third-language studies, biology, biotechnology, and robotics. Furthermore, he sought assistance in creating internship opportunities for students in various industries.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening co-curricular activities in residential halls, departments, and institutes to foster creativity, ethics, tolerance, and humanitarian values among students, seeking the Prime Minister’s cooperation in this regard.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assured the university of his overall support for implementing major development projects, granting special status to Dhaka University, and advancing its education and research activities. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work together to elevate Dhaka University to a respectable position in international rankings, highlighting the importance of alumni support.
The Vice-Chancellor extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to attend the university’s potential convocation scheduled for January next year, which the Prime Minister accepted. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his affection for Dhaka University and his sincere cooperation in the university’s educational, research, and development activities.