Dhaka University (DU) is observing its 106th founding anniversary on Wednesday through a range of colourful events centred on the theme “Restoration of democracy and higher education at Dhaka University.”
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) ABM Obaidul Islam conveyed his greetings to the university’s teachers, students, researchers, staff, and guardians on this milestone.
He called for collective efforts to progress the institution’s academic standards and modernise its historical legacy.
A history of activism
Since its establishment on 1 July 1921, as a leading residential institution, the university has functioned as the primary hub for major democratic and rights-based movements in the region.
It was the central point of the 1952 Language Movement, during which students gave their lives to secure Bangla as a state language. The university also led the 1969 mass uprising against military rule, which set the stage for the 1971 Liberation War. On 2 March 1971, student leaders famously raised the first flag of an independent Bangladesh at the DU Arts Faculty building.
The university suffered significant losses during the genocide carried out by Pakistani forces on 25 March 1971, which claimed the lives of many prominent faculty members and students.
More recently, the campus served as the starting point and main centre for the July Uprising in 2024.
Anniversary proceedings
The day’s events commenced at 9:30am with a gathering of students and staff from all residential halls at Smriti Chirantan (Eternal Memory) square.
This was followed by a large rally across the campus at 9:45am, headed by VC Obaidul and attended by faculty and alumni.
The official opening ceremony took place at 10am at Payra Square, located in front of Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). The ceremony included the hoisting of the national, university, and hall flags, followed by a traditional cake-cutting.
As part of the celebrations arranged by the authorities, Department of Music performed the National Anthem and university theme song, as well as Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet. International students also contributed to the event with a special musical performance.
