DU Correspondent 

The award distribution ceremony of the 'July Mass Uprising: Inter-Hall Free Prose Writing Competition' was held at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban Auditorium of Dhaka University on Sunday. 

 

 A total of 37 students participated in the competition based on the hall. Later, a total of 6 winners were awarded in two categories, male and female. All the participants in the competition were given certificates.

The event was presided over by Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof  Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan and was attended by University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr Dr. S. M. A. Faiz as the chief guest. 

 

Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin ) Prof  Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha delivered the welcome address. Deans, Hall Provosts/Wardens, Proctors, Jury Board members, teachers and Acting Registrar were also present. Professor Robayet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism moderated the event. Professor Dr. Rafiqul Islam of the Department of Arabic led the prayers for the martyrs and injured in the mass uprising.

The winners in the female category of the essay competition are: the first place went to Sonia Parveen, a second-year student of the Sanskrit department. She is a student of Shamsun Nahar Hall.

Angana Rani Pal Urmi, a second-year student of the History Department, came second. She is a student of Shamsun Nahar Hall.

Ayesha Akhtar from the Department of Women and Gender Studies came third. She is a student of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The winners in the student category are:
The first was Mahmud-ul-Haq, a 4th year student of the Department of Political Science. He is a student of Bijoy Ekattor Hall.

The second place went to Md. Mahmudul Hasan Masum, a master's student in the Department of Sociology. He is a student of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall.

The third place went to Md. Saleha Ahmed Nasim of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research. He is a student of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.

The winners were given certificates, crests and cash prizes. The first prize winner was given a cash prize of 10,000 taka, the second prize winner was given 7,000 taka and the third prize winner was given 5,000 taka.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr. S. M. A. Faiz said, "A historic change took place at this time last year. And behind that change is the extraordinary sacrifice of our students. Even thinking about how much sacrifice they have made, my heart feels heavy."

The UGC Chairman further said, "As a result of this mass uprising, we have got a new opportunity. Now students are getting hall seats on the basis of merit. A conducive environment has been created for studies. No one is forcibly taking anyone to the procession anymore. This is a big change."

He said, "We have high expectations for the current generation of students. They have been able to change a government in just a month. This is rare history. I believe that they will one day take this country to a better place."

In his speech, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said, "July is, in a sense, an occasion to acknowledge our debt. An important opportunity has been created before the nation through this historic mass uprising. If we act responsibly from each of our positions, it is possible to repay this blood debt, at least to some extent."

Referring to the process of highlighting July academically, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said, "We are trying to institutionalize research and practice on July. Dhaka University has already started working jointly with international research institutions and various universities. Despite the limitations, we are continuing our utmost efforts."

In his welcome speech, Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Convener of the Inter-Hall Free Prose Writing Competition Committee, Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha said, "Today's event is a continuation of our central events. Through these essays, we wanted to get a compilation of the experiences, opinions and directions for the future that have emerged during the month of July. First, the essays were selected from different halls of the university. Then, a transparent evaluation process was completed by forming a central jury board."

It is mentioned  that the members of the central jury board are: Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin) Prof Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Chairperson of the Department of Linguistics Prof Dr. Munira Begum, Professor of the Department of Bangla Dr. Tariq Manzoor, Prof  of the Department of Information Science and Library Management Dr. Kazi Mostaq Ghausul Haque, Prof of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Robayet Ferdous, Associate Prof of the Department of Graphics Design Md. Israfil Prang and Associate Professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Dr. Mohammad Khorshed Alam.