The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said that the universities should adopt modern curricula for imparting need-based education to make the students worthy enough to face the challenges of the globalisation.

"Bangladesh, a country of immense potential, needs huge capable human resources to cope with the challenges of the 21st century and the educational institutions, particularly the universities, have vital role to play in building a competent and healthy nation by providing quality education to the students", he said.

The President also Chancellor of the universities was addressing the first convocation of Dhaka International University (DIU) held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) at Sher-e- Bangla Nagar in the city.

Chairman of the University Grant Commission (UGC) Professor Nazrul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of the DIU Professor Dr Nurul Momen and Chairman of DIU Board of Governors Dr SK Patwari also spoke on the occasion.

Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary Md Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.

The President also called upon the students to demonstrate their highest degree of personal honesty and integrity in professional arena to serve the nation with utmost dedication and sense of patriotism.

"You are the architects of our beloved country. The nation expects a lot from you. I am confident that you are now fully prepared to shoulder the responsibility of the nation", he added.

Turning to the devastation caused by cyclone Sidr in the southwestern districts of the country, President Iajuddin said the most forceful cyclone of the recent time has devastated thousands of lives and huge property in the coastal belt and bio-diversity at the Sundarbans.

He said the whole nation is deeply shocked at the sufferings of the victims and the government has given its highest efforts to provide basic needs including food, drinking water, shelter, medicine, warm-clothes, baby food for the cyclone-hit people on an urgent basis.

Dr Iajuddin also praised the role of university authorities, friendly countries and international organisations for extending their whole-hearted support and cooperation at the time of prime need.

He also thanked the countrymen including the members of the Armed Forces and civil administration who have been rendering their dedicated services to help the cyclone-hit people.

"I would like to mention that it is not possible to stop natural catastrophe but by adopting more precautions and appropriate management strategy we can reduce the loss of lives and property", he added.

Referring to the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) impact assessments on global warming and climate change, Dr Iajuddin said the issue of global warming is an alarming phenomenon for the developing countries like Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh as one of the most 'susceptible countries' of the world to the negative impacts of climate change as the impacts range from an overall increase in sea level, atmospheric temperature and rainfall to more intense natural disasters in the forms of floods, cyclones, storm surges and drought", he added.

In this context, the President underscored the need for developing regional and national comprehensive plan to address the issues of global warming.

The President formally conferred degrees to the graduated students of the University and distributed gold medals among the students who have obtained brilliant results at the convocation.