Tanvir Mahim, CoU

The Cumilla University (CoU) today marked its 19th founding anniversary with a vibrant celebration that included releasing pigeons and balloons, cutting a cake, a rally, and honoring the teachers, officials, and employees appointed at the university’s inception.

The day’s festivities began at 10:30 AM with a rally led by the Vice-Chancellor, starting from the administrative building and proceeding through various parts of the university before concluding at the open stage. A brief discussion meeting followed, commencing with the release of pigeons and the cake-cutting ceremony.

The discussion meeting was presided over by Professor Dr. M.M. Shariful Karim, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Haider Ali present as the chief guest. Special guests included Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal, Treasurer Professor Dr. Solaiman, and Proctor Professor Dr. Abdul Hakim. Also in attendance were Registrar (additional charge) Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Student Advisor Associate Professor Dr. Md. Abdullah Al Mahbub, deans of various faculties, hall provosts, house tutors, teachers, students, officials, and staff. Following the discussion, honorary mementos were presented to the founding teachers, officials, and employees of the university.

As a special guest, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal stated, “After 16 long years of fascist rule, we are finally able to celebrate University Day freely. We are grateful to all the students who led this movement. We proudly remember Abdul Kaiyum, the only martyr of Comilla University. This change has given us new resolve and dreams. The primary goal of the university is to create and disseminate knowledge. However, due to historical necessity, teachers, students, officials, and employees must work together to build the nation and society. To create an equitable Bangladesh, we need structural changes and transformations in our thoughts, consciousness, and culture. This requires hard work, determination, and well-thought-out steps. We must learn from past mistakes and make efforts at both individual and collective levels.”

Chief Guest Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Haider Ali remarked, “Today, May 28, Comilla University steps into its 19th year. The student-public movement of ’24 has established a corruption-free and autocratic-free country. The government has sent me here with a mission. I hope we can eliminate all forms of corruption and irregular activities from our university as well.”

Addressing the teachers, he added, “Among the 283 teachers on the university’s website, 101 profiles are empty, which damages our international recognition. Teaching classes is not the sole responsibility of university teachers. Their job is to create new knowledge and disseminate it among students. In some departments, only five teachers are managing seven batches, which reduces research opportunities. Dhaka University manages academic activities by recruiting teachers during holidays, but we don’t have that opportunity. The government doesn’t provide us with that support; we don’t have separate funds. Nevertheless, our teachers are diligently carrying out their responsibilities; I extend my respect and gratitude to them.”

Additionally, Comilla University was established on May 28, 2006. As the 26th university in the country, its academic activities commenced on May 28, 2007. Currently, over 7,000 students are enrolled in 19 departments across six faculties at the university.