Forty-eight students have received the Dean’s Award for 2021, 2022 and 2023 from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Alongside these students from the faculty’s 16 departments, two teachers were also honoured with the award for best book and article.
The awards were presented to students and teachers at a ceremony held Monday at the university’s Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building.
Chaired by Faculty of Social Sciences dean Professor Kazi Mahbubur Rahman, the event’s chief guest was Professor Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the prime minister’s finance and planning ministry. Dhaka University vice-chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam attended as guest of honour.
Special guests included University Grants Commission member Professor Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Dhaka University pro-vice-chancellor (administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfesani, and treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah and Dr Susan Vize, head of the UNESCO Bangladesh representative office, also spoke at the event.
In his remarks as chief guest, Professor Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said Dhaka University students must not simply follow conventional knowledge. They must ask questions, reason critically and create new knowledge, he said. A public university’s core responsibility, he said, is to build civic consciousness, skill and innovative capacity. Dhaka University must be developed not just as a “teaching university” but as a knowledge-creating institution.
Addressing the Dean’s Award recipients, he said they must create new thinking and theory through research, and increase Bangladesh’s contribution to the world’s knowledge base. Dhaka University must lead in expanding science and mathematics education, developing skills, and ensuring research-based education.
Professor Titumir said there is no substitute for critical thinking and research-based scholarship in combating misinformation and disinformation. Higher education should not be confined to earning certificates alone — students must be ensured genuine skills and knowledge.
He said that at a public university run on public funds, maintaining academic freedom and autonomy must go hand in hand with ensuring good governance, accountability and the public interest.
Vice-chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam said the Dean’s Award recognises students’ talent and achievement, but winning the award also increases their responsibility. To maintain this continuity of success, he said, they must engage in even more research, study and hard work.
He said Dhaka University’s teachers and researchers continue to do important work despite limited opportunities and funding. The university has taken various initiatives to advance research further, and incentive arrangements will also be introduced in future to encourage researchers.
The vice-chancellor further said a long-term academic plan has been adopted to elevate Dhaka University to an internationally recognised standard. This includes expanding opportunities for students and teachers, encouraging research and innovation, regularly reviewing and modernising the curriculum, and taking initiatives for skills development. Efforts are also under way to strengthen academic and research cooperation with universities and industry both at home and abroad.
He said that beyond good results alone, developing students’ ethics, values and humane qualities also matters. Meritorious students, he said, will go on to contribute to the welfare of the country and nation and play a role in national development after completing higher education.
Department chairs announced the names of the Dean’s Award recipients from their respective departments at the ceremony. National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah announced the names of the teachers awarded for best book and article.
The event was attended by deans of various Dhaka University faculties, Faculty of Social Sciences teachers, department chairs, institute directors, hall provosts, and the guardians of the award-winning students.
Dean’s Award recipients
2021 academic session: Ishtiaque Ahmed, Md Hasan Al Azad, Md Himel Rahman, Brototi Saha, Nahian Mashiat Enayet, Farita Binte Hannan, Isna Haque Sheoti, Rabeya Akter Sathi, Nawshin Zarin Prapti, Ludmila Sarah Khan, Fahin Rahman Ankita, Nisarga Nijhum, Rahnuma Binte Malek and Sheikh Rashid Bin Islam.
2022 academic session: Sarara Zafrin, Faisal Qayum, Suraiya Zebin Papiya, Khondaker Tahmid Rezwan, Lincoln Das, Farah Jahan Suchi, Md Mohiuddin Khan, Md Asifur Rahman, Md Shahadat, Mehedi Hasan Rimon, Saraf Wamiya Ahmed, Fariha Ahmed, Bikromaditto, Lamia Afzal, Fahmida Matin Mim, Anika Afia Jahan and Md Efrat Jahan Bhuiyan Shafin.
2023 academic session: Lubaba Binte Halim, Md Mazhar Uddin Bhuiyan, Faria Islam, Reshmi, Azra Humayra, Mosammat Sandhya, Noor Nishat Anjum, Prapti Roy, Tanzima Sabrin, Zerin Rafiza, A R Tahsin Jahan, Mohsina Binte Haroon, S S Salah Uddin Akash, Nusaiba Binte Morshed, Afrin Jahan Ena Moni, Sharmin Jahan Mim and Md Robiul Islam Hridoy.