Bangladesh Open University (BOU) marked the “Nazrul Year Celebration” on Monday with a special discussion and prize-giving ceremony, where State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam called for bringing the life, literature, philosophy, and creative works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to the new generation.
Speaking as chief guest at the event in Gazipur, the State Minister said main goal of establishing BOU was to create educational opportunities for people of all levels of society. Established in 1992 at the initiative of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, the university currently creates educational opportunities for more than 3 lakh students, said a press release.
He noted that country’s culture is currently going through various forms of degradation and neglect, stressing that it must be developed free from political influence. Mentioning plans to organise a National Culture Festival from next December, he sought cooperation from all to build a healthy, humane, and life-oriented culture.
Held at Central Conference and Training Centre of the university’s main campus, the event was presided over by BOU VC Mohammad Siddikur Rahman Khan, who said there is a deep similarity between Kazi Nazrul Islam’s educational philosophy and core idea behind establishment of BOU. Nazrul’s educational thought was to ensure opportunities for lifelong and universal education beyond boundaries of conventional institutions.
BOU has the second-largest number of students in the country, with educational activities expanding to seven countries. Through celebration of Nazrul Year, efforts to bring life, literature, and ideals of the National Poet to the new generation will continue, said VC.
A paper titled “Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Educational Philosophy and the Original Idea of the Open University” was presented by Md. Zehad Uddin, a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
In the paper, he said that for Nazrul, main purpose of education was to create true human beings, not merely job seekers or certificate holders. Instead of a colonial, memorisation-based system, Nazrul emphasised education based on self-respect, patriotism, creativity, work orientation, and human values. He noted Nazrul gave special importance to education in mother tongue, women’s education, scientific temper, non-communalism, and cultural development.
