Md. Tasnim Hasan Abir

The name of the university is closely related to the history, heritage, struggle, glory of the Bengalis - the University of Dhaka.  DhakaUniversity is the name of an inspiration,  the name of history, the name of rights, the name of protest against injustice, the name of justice, the name of the movement for exploitation.  This centennial university has stood tall for ages.  It is the highest educational institution in Bangladesh.  Since its inception, its brilliance has spread across the country and abroad.  There is probably no university in the history of the world whose name is associated with the language struggle and liberation war of their country.  This glory belongs only to DhakaUniversity.  DhakaUniversity was established in 1921 as the beacon of dreams of the people of this region.  Throughout the ages, the living history of the Bengalis is still standing, overcoming various obstacles.  The University of our Life has reached its centenary in 2021.  It is said that the number of dead students is more than the number of living students of DhakaUniversity.  The students of this university provide leadership from the forefront in any movement in Bangladesh.  When a protest started at DhakaUniversity, it spread all over the country.  In other words, DhakaUniversity is located in the center of Bangladesh.

DhakaUniversity is called the conscience of the nation.  This nation looks forward to what DhakaUniversity does.  The university was born based on hundreds of hopes, aspirations, expectations. Initially recognized as the "Oxford of the East" in the context of strictly regulated standards by various eminent scholars and scientists. A specialty of DhakaUniversity is that it had a special contribution to make Bangladesh independent.  Where the government of the country established a university, DhakaUniversity made a special contribution to the establishment of Bangladesh.  The process of establishing the University of Dhaka began in the second decade of the twentieth century with the aim of developing an independent nationhood during the British colonial rule.  The University of Dhaka is the product of the protests of the people of East Bengal against the wrong decision of the then rulers in British India.  At that time, the most elite and beautiful Ramna area of ​​Dhaka, on about 600 acres of land, the abandoned buildings of East Bengal and Assam province and the building of Dhaka College (now Curzon Hall), Dhaka University was built in a pleasant environment.  This day of establishment is celebrated every year as "Dhaka University Day".

It started its journey as a residential university with three faculties and 12 departments.   DhakaUniversity started its journey with the students of DhakaCollege and JagannathCollege

(Now JagannathUniversity) studying in the degree class.  Not only students, but also teachers and library books and other materials, these two colleges collaborated in the establishment of DhakaUniversity.  The two halls of the university were named Dhaka Hall (now Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall) and Jagannath Hall in gratitude for this cooperation.  The faculties of Arts, Science and Law included Sanskrit and Bengali, English, Education, History,

Arabic, Islamic Studies, Persian & Urdu, Philosophy,

Economics and politics, physics, chemistry, mathematics and law.  In the first academic year, the total number of students in different departments was 6 and the number of teachers was only 60.  This traditional institution has been burning the lamp of knowledge since its establishment.  Made by innumerable wise men.  Among the students of DU, there are a large number of researchers from social organizations, politicians, scientists and big organizations.  More than half of the people working in various important sectors of the country are DU students.  The eminent academics who were in charge of teaching at the founding of the university are: Harprasad Shastri, F.  C.  Turner, Muhammad Shahidullah, GH Langley, Haridas Bhattacharya, WA Jenkins, Ramesh Chandra Majumder, AF Rahman, Satyendranath Bose, Naresh Chandra Sengupta, Gyan Chandra Ghosh and others.  Leela Nag (English Department; MA-1923) was the first student of this university.

The oldest university in the country currently has 13 faculties, 63 departments, 12 institutes and 57 research centers.  Besides, there are 20 residential halls and 3 hostels for students to stay.

Even after so many years of establishment, there is no shortage of interest of Bengalis in DhakaUniversity.  Most of the good people of the country have come out of here.  DhakaUniversity is the first choice of students after passing HSC.  Everyone knows about the admission war of this institution.  The name of this organization is associated with all the great works of the Bengali nation.  The students here are given humanitarian training, education as well as initiation in the great vow of volunteering to meet the needs of the country.  In DhakaUniversity, therefore, BADHAN (A Voluntary Blood Donors Organigation), Debating Club and many other organizations have been formed.  The students here are always ahead in any disaster in the country.  This is the oldest educational institution in the country that has shown the way when everyone has lost their way in the crisis of the nation.  History of DhakaUniversity History of Blood, History of Bengalis, History of Bangladesh.  From the language movement to the anti-authoritarian movement - the teachers and students of this institution were at the forefront everywhere.  The students here are also studying.  They are doing various researches regularly.

However, even after the turn of the century, there are still some problems in the midst of all these achievements.  The biggest problem is the housing crisis.  The administration has not yet been able to manage the accommodation of all the students here.  The students here are struggling to make ends meet.  Moreover there are library problems here.  The university does not have a digital library for students to read.  Here is the crisis of the examination hall.  Occasionally there are allegations of research theft against university teachers.  We have also seen the example of punishment by the committee of inquiry in this regard.  There are also allegations of student abuse.  There is also a lot of criticism about student politics.  Criticism of student politics after so many years in such an old university does not really suit.  The university administration has to keep a watchful eye on this.

At the turn of the century, the expectations of the students of DhakaUniversity are much higher.  They want healthy politics to be practiced on campus.  The residential problem seems to be solved.  Because it is sad to carry this problem at this time.  The quality of food in the halls of the university has to be increased.  Sophisticated library needs to be arranged.  It needs to be modernized while maintaining the tradition of TSC.  The traffic system inside the university needs to be fixed.  That means controlling external vehicles.  Beggars, street children or traveling traders inside the campus will have to be rehabilitated elsewhere.  The quality of education needs to be further enhanced.  We need to bring more transparency in teacher recruitment.  Remember, DhakaUniversity is the guide of this nation.  So this organization has to be the best from all sides.  All kinds of criticism must be avoided and progress must be made.  In line with the international standards, the quality of university education should be increased and the standard of living of the students should also be increased.  Everyone has high expectations from DhakaUniversity.  Therefore, this institution of democracy must be kept free from controversy in all circumstances.

The contribution of DhakaUniversity in all spheres of the country is undeniable.  On the occasion of Mujib Year, `Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Research Institute for Peace and Liberty` has been established in DU.  Dedicated to the expansion and advancement of higher education for the overall welfare of the country and the nation, this university is committed to encourage research activities in every field of science.  It should be remembered that world leaders like Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were students of our DhakaUniversity.  Therefore, in the coming century, this is the expectation that DhakaUniversity will overcome all obstacles and move forward as the charioteer of fulfilling the dreams of Bengalis.

Author: Md. Tasnim Hasan Abir is a Student of Department of Persian Language and Literature at University Of Dhaka.