Observing that student politics in the country has made a retreat from its ideology ground, President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday urged all to shun personal and group interest and make student politics ideology- and public welfare-oriented one.
“I’m not against student politics because there’s a necessity of student politics in creating leadership. But the leadership must be grounded on ideology and public welfare. All of us who were involved in politics in the 1960s had ideology… that ideology was to work for the welfare of the country and the people…There was no room for personal interest,” he said.
The President said this while addressing the 49th convocation of Dhaka University (DU), the highest seat of learning in the country, at its central playground on the campus.
Abdul Hamid said, “I’m hurt for the absence of such ideology to a great extent in student politics now. In some cases, student politics now seems as a means of serving the interest of particular persons or groups instead of serving the ideology. I urge all to make student politics ideology- and public welfare-oriented, coming out from personal and group interests for the greater interest to the nation.”
A total of 6,080 students — 2720 males and 3360 females-received their graduation certificates in the convocation.
Besides, 41 PhD, 20 M Phil and 49 MD-MS degrees were conferred in the convocation, while a total of 36 students also received gold medals for their outstanding results.
About the contribution of Dhaka University towards creating leadership, the President, also the Chancellor of the university, said, “It’s well known that the Dhaka University has created many celebrated politicians who have made a significant contribution to the national development, including the Liberation War.”
Hamid went on saying, “The veteran politicians started their careers through student politics. The University of Dhaka has huge connection with student politics. So, it won’t be hyperbolic if the university is called a cradle of politics.”
“I think it’s the only university in the world that played proper and pivotal role in reliasing the right of mother tongue and achieving the country’s independence,” he added.
Terming the graduates greater human resources of the country, Abdul Hamid said, “You have to build yourself as worthy citizens for your survival in this competitive world . . . you must be courageous and active in facing competition in every area of knowledge-science. You must remember this country and its contribution because any negative activity from your part can damage our vast achievements.”
Prof Francis Gurry, director general of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), delivered the Convocation Speech. The Australian lawyer was also conferred upon the Doctor of Laws degree at the convocation.
DU vice chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, pro-vice chancellor (Academic) Prof Nasreen Ahmad also addressed the function.
