SAVAR, Feb 5 (UNB): President Abdul Hamid has called for the collective efforts of all to protect the country's hard-earned democracy putting behind the differences of opinion.
"I hope all will be active to uphold the spirit of the liberation war and independence achieved with the sacrifice of 30 lakh (3 million) people's lives. You'll play your due role from your respective positions in expediting the march forward of democracy and socioeconomic development of the country forgetting the differences of opinion and party," he said.
The President said this Thursday while addressing the fifth convocation of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) on its campus on the outskirts of the capital.
"Today, Bangladesh is marching towards prosperity… Bangladesh has achieved a marked progress in education, women empowerment, per-capita income, sanitation, agriculture and information technology," the President said.
He said, "Social discipline and democratic values have to be maintained to keep the pace of this advancement. We have to collectively ensure that the democracy achieved through immense sacrifice is not be hindered."
Abdul Hamid, also the Chancellor of the university, said the government has taken initiatives to increase the number of institutions of higher studies considering the demand of the time.
"Now there're over 100 institutions-both public and private ones" of higher studies in the country. The area of higher education has expanded with the rise in the number of universities. But we've to put in continuous efforts to elevate the quality of higher education to international level. We've to expand research areas, too," he added.
Abdul Hamid said: "I came to know the universities of our country lag behind in terms of international ranking for faulty systems. But this confusion is gradually vanishing as the government has introduced credit system coordinating with academic year. I'm urging the University Grants Commission and Education Ministry to expedite the matter by identifying other faults."
At the convocation, a total of 11,900 students were conferred upon graduation, MPhil and PhD degrees. Of them, 18 received gold medals for their outstanding results.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and JU VC Prof Dr Farzana Islam also spoke at the function. Former Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain delivered the speech as the convocation speaker.
