Student unions essential for universities: Noor

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzanman Noor said on Wednesday elected student unions should exist in the universities to run the cultural and co-curricular activities properly, reports BSS.

"Cultural activities are hardly seen at the universities including the Dhaka University (DU). One of the main reasons is there is no student unions or these are inactive in the educational institutions," Noor commented while addressing a book launching ceremony at the DU.

Minister Asaduzzanman Noor unveiled the cover of the book titled "Dhaka Bishwabidyaloy Sangskritik O Shikkha Sahayak Karmakanda: Ekal O Shekal" (Cultural and Co-curricular Activities in Dhaka university: Past and Present) edited by Professor Dr Shaikh Abdus Salam.

National and Emeritus Prof of DU Dr Anisuzzaman presided over the function organised by Center for Advanced Research in Arts and Social Sciences (CARASS) at its auditorium.

Noor said cultural activities were not only entertainment but also a means of political movements at their time.

"Government started working with the universities intensively to enhance their cultural activities. We will spread this in future," said the minister.

Anisuzzaman said, "Our first duty should be to get back elected student unions so that they can give back the glorious past co-curricular activities. And the second is to tell the political parties to control their student wings as Dhaka University will not be the centre of terrorism."

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Samad said cultural activities should enhance in the educational institutions to uproot militancy.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dr Abu Md Delwar Hosain, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Sadeka Halim, DU Alumni Association President AK Azad and Dr Shaikh Abdus Salam spoke at the programme.