On Wednesday, Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) celebrated its 1st Convocation on its own campus. Dr Dipu Moni, minister, Ministry of Education presided over the event as chief guest.
As special guest, Dr Kazi Shahidullah, chairman of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh was present. Dr Fr Thomas J O’ Hara, CSC, former president of King’s College, USA provided the keynote speech. At this ceremony, a total of 536 students became graduates where welcome address was given by Professor Dr Patrick D Gaffney, CSC, vice-chancellor (VC) of NDUB, CSC.
Fr James C Cruze, CSC, chairman, NDUB Board of Trustees, His Eminence Cardinal Patrick D’ Rozario, CSC, Archbishop George Kocheny, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, Bishop Gervas Rozario, DD, Bishop of Rajshahi, Fr Joseph S Peixotto, CSC, treasurer, NDUB, Fr Adam S Pereira, CSC, registrar, NDUB were also present along with the members of board of trustees, syndicate members, academic council, VC’s of other universities, ambassadors and high commissioners from various foreign embassies, principals of many missionary institutions, church leaders, priests and nuns, and many more distinguished dignitaries.
Among the 536 graduates, 359 students were from the department of Business Administration (BBA: 317, MBA: 42), 16 students from the department of Computer Science and Engineering, 54 students from the department of Economics, 71 students from the department of English, and 36 were from the department of Laws.
A total number of 48 graduates received the following awards: a) Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award, b) Vice- Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award, c) Quinlivan Award, d) Archbishop Theotonious A. Ganguly Award, e) Fr. Benjamin Costa Award. From the department of Business Administration 19 graduates were awarded, from the department of Computer Science and Engineering 5 students, from the department of Economics 7 students, from the department of English 10 graduates, and from the department of Laws 7 graduates were awarded. Moreover, two faculty members were honoured with Fr Basil Anthony Moreau Award.
In three categories, academic honours were given: Summa Cum Laude (3.95 and above), Magna Cum Laude (3.80 to 3.94), Cum Laude (3.65 to 3.79). From the department of Business Administration 89 graduates received the honours, from the department of Economics 17 graduates, from the department of Computer Science and Engineering 6 students, from the department of English 16 students, and from the department of laws 1 student received the academic honours.
The ceremony draws the curtain with Alumni Induction, Pledge of Loyalty, and Vote of Thanks by Fr Adam S Pereira, CSC, Registrar, NDUB. Profesor Dr Fr Patrick D Gaffney, CSC, VC of NDUB asserts, “We marvel to recognize a rare and remarkable event that appears to belong to a really that ignores the clock and disregards the calendar. The graduates who are participating in this ceremony may know this feeling, for a Convocation can be exactly such a memorable occurrence.”
Dr Fr Thomas J O’Hara, former president of King’s College, USA, the keynote speaker of the convocation ceremony, addressed, “Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates of NDUB. Having completed your studies, you are embarking on a future that will offer challenges as well as opportunities to test your skills and to try your patience, undoubtedly with many surprises, in the days and years ahead.”
Archbishop George Kocheriy, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh wishes NDUB, “Education is an integral development of human personality; besides passing on information, it is also about formation, the development of values, ability to think and judge rightly. Surely the University has tried to inform these students with a good grasp of their particular area of study.”
