East West University (EWU) hosted its Freshers’ Reception Ceremony for the Fall Semester 2026 on Thursday at its campus in Aftabnagar, Dhaka, welcoming newly admitted students while commemorating the life and works of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as part of ‘Nazrul Year’.
Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, attended the event as chief guest and said the regulatory body treats public and private universities equally, with merit as the key consideration for allocating funds for higher education and research.
In a press release, EWU said Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed highlighted that the government has reduced VAT on private universities by 5 per cent and that the UGC is working to reduce it further by another 5 per cent.
He congratulated EWU on its achievements over the past 30 years and encouraged new students to develop skills and leadership qualities by actively participating in university clubs.
Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of EWU and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, said the university’s 30-year vision of providing quality higher education to deserving students from lower-middle-income families had largely been achieved.
He said all surplus funds at EWU are reinvested in student development through various scholarship programmes.
Professor Shams Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of EWU, said the university provides students with academic knowledge and contemporary skills to help them build successful careers at home and abroad.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Professor Dr Anup Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, and a representative of newly admitted students.
The event concluded with a cultural programme marking Nazrul Year, featuring performances by the East West University Club for Performing Arts (ECPA) and Nazrul Sangeet artist Khairul Anam Shakil.
Members of the EWU Board of Trustees, faculty members, officers, staff and newly admitted students attended the ceremony.
