Three newly appointed national professors were accorded reception by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday.
The three educationists are Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman, Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam and Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid presented each of them with crests, shawls and bouquets at a reception ceremony held at the UGC auditorium in the city.
UGC chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division M Sohrab Hossain and three national professors spoke on the occasion.
Among the three dignitaries, Prof Anisuzzaman and Prof Rafiqul Islam were faculty members of Bangla Department at Dhaka University.
Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury taught at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
While sharing his feelings, Mr Jamilur Reza said he was very happy with the recognition, although he did not work to get such reward.
"I want to continue to work for the country until death," he said.
Mr Anisuzzaman said he received much honour in return from the country than that of his actual contribution.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nahid said the three educationists have been making tremendous contributions to the country's development.
"The country is being enlightened with their knowledge, wisdom, skills and experience," he added.
He also said it is a solemn duty to honour veteran educationists like them.
The committee formed by the education ministry to appoint national professors approved the names of three professors unanimously while finalising the list, said Mr Nahid who headed the committee.
The government on June 19 appointed the three educationists as national professors for five years.
In his speech, Mr Mannan said the three professors played vital role in the language movement and war of liberation. "We feel honoured to show them respect through this ceremony," he said.
For the first time, UGC honoured the national professors, he added.
Vice-chancellors (VCs) of different universities, educationists and UGC officials also attended the reception ceremony.
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