National University (NU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) ASM Amanullah lauded July Revolution martyrs as an unprecedented source of inspiration and an eternal beacon against injustice at a programme at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu on Wednesday marking July Uprising Day.
Speaking as the chief guest, Amanullah said, “The debt of the martyrs’ blood can never be repaid; it is our sacred duty to stand by their families and keep their memories alive.”
Amanullah said the July student-public movement was not merely a political regime change but a resolve to build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination and autocracy.
NU has taken initiatives to keep alive the memory of those who sacrificed their lives, he said.
The university provided Tk8 lakh to each martyr’s family and waived full tuition fees for any student from martyr families to ensure they were not deprived of education due to financial hardship, according to an NU press release.
NU also introduced ‘July Martyr Memorial Scholarship 2025’ for underprivileged, marginalised and meritorious students of affiliated colleges.
Amanullah said a memorial with nameplates of martyred students had been constructed on the main campus. All libraries, residential halls and main buildings of affiliated colleges and educational institutions have been dedicated in the martyrs’ names.
He recalled the 36-day movement and expressed respect for the martyrs and sympathy for those injured, blinded or disabled.
The VC noted the movement’s success came from unified participation of students, teachers, parents, professionals, workers, rickshaw-pullers and doctors.
Amanullah said the government’s ‘Learning with Happiness’ programme was being implemented at NU to ensure students’ mental development and a joyful learning environment. Cultural festivals and sports competitions were ongoing across the country.
He said the traditional curriculum was being restructured to make it contemporary, with IT, language skills, freelancing and entrepreneurship-based short and certificate courses introduced so students could establish themselves in national and international labour markets.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman presided over the event.
SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar acknowledged NU VC Amanullah’s contribution to the July uprising at the event.
Physical Education and Culture Department Director Mohammad Shafiqul Karim, embassy officials, diplomatic mission members and members of the expatriate Bangladeshi community attended the programme.
Special prayers were offered for the martyrs, the press release added.
