Khulna University Day was celebrated on Tuesday with vibrant festivities and great enthusiasm as the institution marked 34 years of academic activities and stepped into its 35th year.
The day’s events began at 10:00am with a colourful procession starting from the main gate, Shaheed Mir Mugdha Toran. The procession marched past the second gate and concluded at the “Adomyo Bangla” square. Led by the university’s founding vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Golam Rahman, it was joined by current Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Harunur Rashid Khan, Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurunnabi, deans of various schools, acting registrar, discipline heads, director of student affairs, provosts, directors of different units, as well as teachers, students, officers and staff.
Among others, Khulna Range DIG Md Rezaul Haque, senior journalists Sheikh Didarul Alam, Abu Taiyab Munshi, Ehteshamul Haque Shawon, SM Habib, Greater Khulna Development Struggle Coordination Committee president Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman and general secretary Advocate Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, Khulna Civil Society convener Advocate Sheikh Shahnawaz Ali and member secretary Mahendra Nath Sen, Khulna Nagorik Samaj member secretary Advocate Babul Hawlader, and “Brihattor Amra Khulnabasi” president Dr Sheikh Nasir Uddin and general secretary Mahbubur Rahman Khokon, along with other dignitaries, attended the event.
After the procession, pigeons symbolizing peace, along with balloons and festoons, were released to formally inaugurate the day’s programmes. At 11:00am, a discussion meeting was held at the Journalist Liakat Ali Auditorium to mark Khulna University Day. Founding vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Golam Rahman addressed the event as chief guest.
The discussion was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim. Special guests included Khulna Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazmul Ahsan, Khulna University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Harunur Rashid Khan, Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurunnabi, and Khulna Agricultural University Treasurer Professor Dr Shamim Ahmed Kamal Uddin Khan.
Speakers said Khulna University is the outcome of long movements and struggles by the people of the south-western region. Since its inception, politicians, civil society members, professionals and journalists have played a vital role in overcoming crises and advancing the university. They paid tribute to all of them on this joyous occasion.
They further noted that Khulna University graduates are making their mark at home and abroad, which they described as the institution’s greatest achievement. Since the current administration took office, several initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the quality of education and research, including the country’s first “Collaborative Research Grant Programme” at university level and the introduction of a “Teaching Assistantship” scheme. The speakers added that more time-befitting steps will be taken to transform Khulna University into an impactful higher education institution.
Professor Dr Md Imdadul Haque, acting dean of the School of Education and convener of the Day Celebration Committee, delivered the concluding remarks, while Professor Dr Md Nazmus Sadat, member secretary of the committee and director of student affairs, gave the welcome speech.
A commemorative publication marking University Day was unveiled at the event. Outstanding students and organizations from the past year were also honoured. In addition, Khulna University teachers currently serving as vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors and treasurers at different public universities received special crests from the university. A cake-cutting ceremony followed.
At the “Adomyo Bangla” plaza, departments and disciplines displayed their achievements from the previous year and plans for the coming year on display boards.
Special prayers were held after Zuhr at the central mosque and at the campus temple. In the evening, a cultural programme took place at the open-air stage. To mark the day, the main gate, roads, academic buildings, halls of residence and other structures on campus were illuminated with decorative lights.
