The Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor and two emeritus professors have laid emphasis on enhancing the university’s academic excellence based on research, continuation of its history and bringing transparency in teachers’ appointment.
They spoke about their dream to see Dhaka University turn into a world-class institution for higher studies while talking to this correspondent on Monday on the occasion of its104th founding anniversary.
Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal
DU Vice-Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal said: “We want to transform Dhaka University into a research-based university. We’ve entered the first phase of the second century of the university. There has been a huge change in higher education. Higher education has now become research and innovation-oriented with industry-academia collaboration and international collaboration. There are two types of innovation, one is product innovation and the other is service innovation. Both are important for higher education. The impact of higher education in society is also very important. If we can ensure it, there will have a positive impact on society.
He also said, “We have prepared a master plan in this regard. The academic master plan describes how the academic transformation will take place. The master plan shows that Dhaka University will be a research-based institution for higher studies by 2035, according to Carnegie’s classification, which describes it as R-2 university.”
Dr. Sirajul Islam Chowdury
DU Emeritus Professor Dr. Sirajul Islam Chowdury said, “As the university has stepped into its second century, I want continuation of the history and tradition of the university. In hundred years, the state has changed, there have been many ups and downs, but I want to see the university progress continuously. Any ups and of the state should not hurt the university. However, the university has been hit several times. The university suffered most during the Pakistan regime. Many students and teachers left the country during the period. Many students and teachers of the university were killed during the liberation war in 1971. Pakistan army even wanted to blow up the university. Despite all these setbacks, the university is still running. Therefore, I hope students and teachers will preserve glorious history in creation and work.
But, he said with regret, “The university cannot maintain its continuity in one place - its student council (Dhaka University Central Students Union). I think the DUCSU is very important. University education is confined not only in the classroom or the laboratory, but also in the student assembly. If students do not have a social and cultural life, they cannot develop their ability to receive what is taught. But it is sad that there has been no student council since 1990.
He, however, expressed the hope that Dhaka University will return to its previous vital role in contributing to country’s development.
“One of the main tasks of the university is research. I hope the university will always do research work. There is no need to do research separately. Research should go hand in hand with teaching. It cannot be separated. Teachers will do research.
Dr. Khondoker Bazlul Haque
DU Emeritus Professor Dr. Khondoker Bazlul Haque said, “Dhaka University was set up to bring the Muslim population of East Bengal to the main stream. So, after 103 years of its establishment, I think Dhaka University has not got confined to it. Because this university has not only worked for Muslim students, but also worked for everyone, irrespective of Hindus and Muslims.”
“The university should maintain its autonomy in admission tests and appointment of teachers. Because this university has been established targeting the poor, low and middle-class people. So I think this university should always remain in its place. And all the teachers need to be qualified. An incompetent teacher can never build a prosperous nation”, he said.
He also said, “Dhaka University has a glorious history. Students participate in politics, they will stand up in all parts of the country. But, the way the students now blindly do party politics, I don’t think it is politics. If we look at the situation before ‘71, we can see that the teachers and the students of Dhaka University never did party politics. So, they would always protest against what is wrong. Therefore, I hope that the student politics in this university will again work as a symbol of people’s emancipation.”
