Promoting campus tourism

A campus is a place where a school, college or university and related institutional buildings and infrastructures are situated. Such campuses can be a new form of tourism destination in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world. There are many such tourism campuses centring around world famous educational institutions. Of late, Dubai, facilitating a platform for knowledge exchange, sharing best practice and networking for the travel and tourism industry in the Middle East and Gulf region emerges as an attractive destination.
In Bangladesh we can consider Dhaka University as a model of tourism destination. The University of Dhaka is one of the oldest universities in the region. Established by the British imperial government in 1921, it was modelled on Oxbridge education. The University of Dhaka comprises many historical sites for tourists' attractions such as 'Amtola' where student leaders decided to break the section 144, as imposed by the government of the time,  as part of language movement in 1952, and Aparajeyo Bangla, the most well-known sculpture dedicated to the Bangladesh Liberation War. In Bengali, the phrase 'Aparajeyo Bangla' means "Unvanquished Bengal". 'Shadinata Songram' is a combination of nice pieces of sculpture at the University of Dhaka. These represent a long history of Bangladeshi people fighting for self determination and freedom.
Shaheed Minar, situated within the Dhaka University campus is a national monument established to commemorate those killed during the  Bengali Language Movement of 1952. Suhrawardy Udyan is renowned as it was here that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made his historic "This time the struggle is for our freedom" speech on March the seventh. 'Madhur Canteen' meaning Madhu's canteen as a place that has been associated with many national movements that originated from Dhaka University. Bangla Academy, also situated within the Dhaka University campus is the national academy for promoting Bangla language. Curzon Hall, the science building of the university is known for its distinctive architectural excellence.  The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has also emerged as an ideal seat of learning within the University of Dhaka.  National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's Grave near the Dhaka University Central Mosque has already turned into a tourism site for visitors from home and abroad. Gurdwara Nanok Shahi situated in front of the Dhaka University Arts Faculty building is the only temple in Dhaka city where the Sikh community, the followers and admirers of Guru Nanak gather to pray and pay their respect. There are many more sites and institutions within Dhaka University that can draw tourists. The Teacher-student center (TSC) and the Raju Vaskorjo are a few examples.
Dhaka University itself remains an object of attraction. Presentation and exhibition of various places within the university will help promote the tourism industry in a different way. It will also create the opportunity for students to work as part-time tourist guides. Visitors from home and abroad will pass wonderful time with a student guide exploring the sights and sounds of Dhaka University's beautiful campus.
Md Ashikur Rahman Avi writes from Tourism & Hospitality Management Department, University of Dhaka. ashikur3000@gmail.com