Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Iqbal called on the youth to play a leading role in building a prosperous Bangladesh, overcoming all obstacles and divisions, with the spirit of the July Uprising as an eternal beacon.
Speaking as chief guest at a discussion on Wednesday marking the second anniversary of July Uprising, Iqbal said the student-public movement was an unprecedented awakening to break the chains of autocratic power.
“July Uprising stands as a remarkable narrative in Bangladesh’s history of freedom. Our biggest responsibility today is the full implementation of the aspirations for a non-discriminatory, just and prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.
VC Iqbal inaugurated the day with releasing balloons, a rally and tree planting in the morning following a discussion at Shahid Shakil Parvez Auditorium, said a press release.
Registrar Md Mostaqur Rahman chaired the event, with Pro-VC Ruma and Student Welfare Director Utpal Kumar Das as special guests. Mechanical Engineering Dean Md Anowar Hossain and Teachers’ Association General Secretary SM Mahfuz Alam were also on the dais.
Iqbal paid tribute to martyrs including Abu Sayeed, Mugdha, Wasim and Shakil Parvez, whose sacrifice he said had ushered in a new dawn.
The VC told students, “You are tomorrow’s engineers, researchers, innovators and policymakers. Bangladesh’s industry, technology, infrastructure and knowledge-based economy will be built by you. Technical skills alone are not enough; integrity, discipline, humanity, tolerance and patriotism must be given equal importance.”
Iqbal said DUET aimed to become an international-standard education and research centre where new knowledge would be created and technological solutions to national problems would be developed.
Pro-VC Ruma said the uprising taught the lesson of standing collectively against injustice.
Five DUET students who participated in the 2024 movement shared their memories. Teachers’ Association General Secretary SM Mahfuz Alam, Officers’ Association convener Mohammad Harun Al Rashid and Employees’ Association General Secretary Md Nazrul Islam also spoke.
Deans, department heads, directors, provosts, teachers, students, officers and employees attended the event.
DUET School Management Committee President Md Khasro Miah announced winners of painting and essay competitions. The VC and guests distributed prizes. Iqbal later inaugurated a voluntary blood donation programme.
Other programmes included prayers at the central mosque, special prayers at temples and other places of worship, a friendly volleyball match and a documentary screening on the uprising.
