After a long-standing public demand, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has finally laid the foundation stone for Thakurgaon University. The move marks another step forward in creating new higher-education opportunities in the district.
The president laid the foundation stone Monday afternoon at the designated site of the proposed university at Moheshali (Bhatar Mari Farm), beside the Thakurgaon-Pirganj road at Amtali Rail Gunti in the sadar upazila’s Jamalpur area. This was his first official visit to his home district of Thakurgaon since taking office as president. He laid the university’s foundation stone on the second day of his two-day official visit. Thanking and expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Tareque Rahman, the president said, “Prime Minister Tareque Rahman approved Thakurgaon University in a very short time and got the subsequent process moving. In that context, the university’s foundation stone has been laid today. I hope the university’s design and infrastructure plan will be completed very soon and construction will begin.” He said, “Today is a joyful day for the people of this area, because from now on, people here will have access to higher education, and higher education will expand in this region. An opportunity has been created for young people and future generations to contribute to Bangladesh’s development. I believe the people of this area will seize that opportunity and truly build this university into a center of excellence — that is my hope.” Attending the foundation-stone-laying for Thakurgaon University were State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Thakurgaon University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Israfil Shahin, various officials of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh board, Thakurgaon district BNP president Mirza Faisal Amin, and various district and police administration officials and members. Earlier, the president arrived in Thakurgaon on Sunday afternoon for the two-day official visit. The helicopter carrying him landed at Thakurgaon’s Shaheed Mohammad Ali Stadium, where he was welcomed according to state protocol. He then went to the Circuit House, where he was given a guard of honor. After the formalities at the Circuit House, the president visited the graves of his parents, praying for their souls. Later that afternoon, he attended a civic reception held at the large field of Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School.