Dhaka: The Dhaka University (DU) authorities observed Dhaka University Day on Monday with great enthusiasm and festivity on the campus, marking its 92nd founding anniversary.

The theme of this year’s day is: ‘Dhaka University in cherishing Liberation War Spirit and Freethinking’.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid formally inaugurates the day by hoisting the national flag and cutting a cake on the university campus in the morning.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof AK Azad Chowdhury will be present at the inauguration ceremony as a special guest with DU Vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique in the chair.

DU Pro-Vice Chancellors Prof Nasreen Ahmed (Academic) and Prof Shahid Akther Hossain (Administration), Treasurer Prof Dr Kamal Uddin, Registrar Syed Rezaul Karim, faculty members and current and former students will be present at the function.

Students from different residential halls gather at ‘Mal Chattar’ with rallies around 9am. Prof Arefin Siddique will lead a colourful procession from ‘Mal Chattar’ (near administrative building) to the TSC via different streets on the campus.

The DU authorities will arrange various programmes, including exhibition, discussion, reminiscence and cultural session, sports and debate competitions, to mark the day.

A discussion on ‘Dhaka University in cherishing Liberation War Spirit and Freethinking’ will be held at the TSC auditorium in the afternoon with DU Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique in the chair.

DU Prof Dr Ajoy Kumar Ray will present a keynote paper on the topic at the discussion.

However, BNP-backed ‘white panel’ teachers will not join the programmes marking the day, campus sources said.

The day will be observed to mark the launching of academic activities by the university on this day in 1921. Starting off with just 847 students in three faculties and 12 departments in 1921, the university has grown to accommodate over 34,000 students and 1,805 teachers in 67 departments and 10 institutes at present.

Over the decades, the university has churned out thousands of brilliant graduates despite the restrictions barring its development. The university is hampered by accomadation crisis, insufficient library space, political instability, violence, session jams, unhealthy dining facilities and fund shortage.

Ends/RG/01/06/13