Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Saturday laid emphasis on holding the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election for developing new leadership to strengthen the foundation of country’s democracy.

‘DUCSU election is a must,’ to flourish regular student leadership, he said while addressing the 50th convocation of Dhaka University (DU), the highest seat of learning of the country, at its central playground here this afternoon.

The President, also the chancellor of the university, said if capable and honest student leadership is not created, the future leadership would be at stake.

‘There is no alternative to the political leadership to ensure sustainable development of the country,’ he mentioned.

Referring to the outstanding and glorious contribution of country’s student politics with various successful histories including the Language Movement, Liberation War and other democratic movements, President Hamid said, ‘The students community must restore the past heritage and glory of country’s politics.’

At the outset of his speech, the President paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, freedom fighters who made their supreme sacrifices in 1971 Liberation War, Language Movement heroes and the martyrs of Dhaka University family who played a very significant and historic role in different democratic movements in different times.

Terming the Dhaka University as a centre of excellence and for building higher human resources, he said since its inception on July 1 in 1921, the university authority has been taking different pragmatic and realistic steps in line with the government’s commitment to establish a modern, science-based and time-befitting education system as well as ensure overall progress, development and upholding dignity of the country.

‘Dhaka University, which had close link with student politics, will make efficient leadership to lead a wealthy and developed country in the days,’ the President said adding, ‘I myself started doing politics in my student life.’

But he expressed grave concern over the present scenario of student politics as some non-students to some extent are leading as well as controlling the student politics while the interest of a particular quarter or person is being served with dominating the whole process ignoring the welfare-based ideology of politics.

‘That’s why, the student politics is gradually losing its confidence, support and respect of common people and the general students as well,’ the President said.

Recalling his career in student politics, President Hamid confidently said, ‘I was not a student of Dhaka University but due to the then political situation I several times visited and stayed on this campus as a student leader of a subdivision and I’m also proud with this university for its academic excellence.’

About the renaissance that flourished through the 1952 Language Movement and subsequently the 1971 Liberation War, Hamid said, ‘These two movements helped the country to be recognised as a secular, progressive and modern state globally. It has also enhanced the nation’s honour, dignity and acceptance holding its head high.’

The President also alleged that the anti-Liberation War forces were trying to tarnish the image of the country worldwide through spreading fanaticism.

Recalling the brutalities committed in 1971, he said the vested quarter committed heinous crimes against the humanity including mass killings, arson, looting, and rape and also killed many intellectuals including the talented ‘varsity teachers to make the country brainless.’

About the fateful incident of August 15, 1975, Hamid said Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was scheduled to attend a programme on DU campus on the day but anti-Liberation clique had assassinated Bangabandhu along with most of his family members prior to it.

Saying that the country witnessed a tremendous success to try the war criminals side by side the trends of continuous development, the President said, ‘But the fight between the pro and anti Liberation forces, progressive and reactive, good and bad or pious and fanatics is yet to end in our society and the state.’

Welcoming the graduates on this very auspicious day as today’s convocation was giving recognition of their achievement, President Hamid asked the students not to forget the contribution of parents, teachers, society, country and people to reach them (students) to this position.

‘You owe to them all. You must play an active role to realise the hopes and aspiration of the nation from your respective responsibilities by applying your merit, intelligence and works,’ he added.

The President advised the students not to bend their heads over any offences and untrue elements as well as not to forget this country and its people wherever they stay across the world for their job purposes.

During the convocation, around 17,634 students were conferred graduation, post-graduation and PhD degrees.

A total of 8o students received 95 gold medals for their outstanding results while 61 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and 43 Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) degrees were conferred in the convocation.

Professor Amit Chakma, also the president and vice-chancellor of Western university of Canada, delivered the convocation speech. He was also conferred ‘Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa)’ degree in the convocation. This chemical engineer was born in a Chakma family of Chittagong Hill Tracts area in 1959.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Pro-VC Prof (academic) Dr Nasreen Ahmad and deans of different faculties also spoke on the occasion.

A good number of incumbent and former ministers, senior politicians, academicians, former student leaders were also present.