Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Engineer Mohammad Iqbal said the university’s main commitment is to turn it into the country’s leading engineering and technology university through research, innovation and sustainable development. He made the remarks on Tuesday, September 1, at the ‘DUET Day-2026’ celebration marking the university’s 23rd anniversary at its Gazipur campus under the theme ‘DUET Unbreakable in Unity’, according to a press release.
Iqbal said DUET, the country’s only public university for higher education of diploma engineers, has played a role in academic excellence and the expansion of research for more than two decades. He said the university aimed to develop every student into an individual distinguished in knowledge, skills and humanity on the global stage by building DUET into a self-sufficient, innovation- and research-based institution through sustainable development.
The anniversary programme began in the morning with the hoisting of the national and university flags, a balloon release, the freeing of pigeons and a cake-cutting ceremony led by Iqbal. A colourful rally then toured the campus before a tree-planting programme was held.
At Shaheed Shakil Parvez Auditorium, Academic Excellence Awards-2026 were presented to teachers in recognition of excellence in research, while meritorious students received Deans’ Awards. The day’s programme also included a tug-of-war between teachers and DUET alumni, a friendly volleyball match, recollections by former students of the movement to establish DUET and a special prayer gathering at the Central Mosque after Zuhr.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Iqbal outlined DUET’s history, saying its journey began in 1980 as the College of Engineering, Dhaka, established by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to open higher-education opportunities for diploma engineers. The institution became Dhaka Engineering College in 1981 and was converted in 1986 into an autonomous institution named Bangladesh Institute of Technology, Dhaka.
Following a long-standing demand and movement by teachers, students and diploma engineers, the autonomous BIT, Dhaka became a full-fledged university through an Act passed by the National Parliament on September 1, 2003, and emerged as Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur. Iqbal expressed gratitude to the students and others who took part in the movement for the university’s naming and recalled with respect the efforts of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to advance the engineering, science and technology sectors.
Iqbal said large numbers of students graduate from DUET each year with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and contribute to national development in areas ranging from the country’s power and energy infrastructure to information technology, including the nuclear power plant, Padma Bridge, metro rail and elevated expressways. He said DUET graduates were also earning recognition for the country through their achievements in different parts of the world.
Against the backdrop of a world that has passed through the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is approaching the Fifth, Iqbal said advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, the Internet of Things, big data, nanotechnology and renewable energy had opened unprecedented opportunities while also increasing challenges such as climate change, shortages of skilled manpower, technological inequality and cyber security.
In that context, he said modernising engineering education and developing students’ problem-solving skills and global outlook were DUET’s main priorities. He said the university was renewing that commitment on its 23rd DUET Day.
Special Guest and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Engineer Ruma said today’s students were the architects of a prosperous Bangladesh. She described DUET as not only a higher-education institution but also the sole destination for the country’s engineering diploma holders, where a generation of skilled engineers is developed through a combination of merit and hard work.
Ruma said DUET students were demonstrating their merit, skills and abilities not only at leading national institutions but also at internationally renowned universities and research centres. She said the university’s main goal was to develop students into skilled human resources by combining research, innovation and ethics and thereby contribute to the country’s sustainable development. She expressed hope that collective efforts would turn DUET into a world-class institution.
The programme was chaired by Professor Dr Md Mostakur Rahman, Registrar (Additional Charge). Special guests included Professor Dr Md Akramul Alam, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering; Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; Professor Dr Md Kamal-Al-Hasan, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Professor Dr Md Anwarul Abedin, Director (Research and Extension); Professor Dr Utpal Kumar Das, Director (Student Welfare); and Professor Dr S M Mahfuz Alam, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Association.
Deans of various faculties, heads of departments, directors, hall provosts, teachers, current and former students, officers and employees took part in the day-long programme. The campus was decorated with colourful lighting and took on a festive atmosphere.
