President for greater exercise of freethinking

KUSHTIA, Jan 07 (Agencies): President Md Abdul Hamid on Sunday laid emphasis on greater exercise of freethinking and cultural activities at universities to check militancy, intolerance and other negative acts.

"The nation has been observing with deep concern that the negative activities like intolerance, extremism, militancy and arrogance at different higher educational institutions. I think such acts have emerged and spread for lack of exercise of freethinking and cultural activities," he said.

He also put emphasis on utilising immense energies and potential of youth forces to build a developed 'Sonar Bangla'.

"Youth must be freed from the influence of bad culture with thinking in free way . . . They should be more kind and broadminded to attain the desired goal of country's hard-earned Independence", he made the observations while addressing the fourth convocation of Islamic University (IU), Bangladesh on the central cricket playground on the campus here.

The President urged the teachers, students, researchers, guardians and all student bodies to make collective efforts reaching the benefit of 1971 Liberation War at people's doorsteps.

Abdul Hamid, who is also Chancellor of the IU, said the university is not only a teaching centre, but also the highest institution for higher education and research. "The role of universities is very important in building the students as complete human being and making them global citizens."

University Grand Commission Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, Convocation Speaker Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal, and Islami University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Harun-ur-Rashid Askari also addressed the convocation chaired by the Chancellor of the University President Abdul Hamid.

Earlier the President unveiled the plaque of newly-built mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman beside the main entrance of the university.