Eight students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka have received the Ali Riaz Postgraduate Research Awards and Scholarships for their research work.

Of them, two students received the Ali Riaz Postgraduate Research Award, while six others were awarded postgraduate research scholarships.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam handed over the awards and scholarship cheques to the students as the chief guest at a programme held at Prof Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium on Wednesday.

The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism organised the programme.

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and acting chairman of the department Prof Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman presided over the programme, while Distinguished Professor Dr Ali Riaz of Illinois State University in the United States attended as the guest of honour.

Prof Robaet Ferdous moderated the programme.

Congratulating the scholarship recipients, the vice-chancellor said the success of students is made possible by the contributions and support of their families, parents and society.

He urged the students to repay those contributions by becoming responsible citizens and skilled human resources and playing their part in building a happy, prosperous and inclusive society and country.

Prof Obaidul Islam said it is not possible to advance the university by relying solely on government funding, stressing the need for private-sector partnerships and support from alumni.

He said the university’s education and research could be raised to international standards through collective efforts.

The vice-chancellor also called for establishing large-scale endowment funds by involving alumni in every department of the university.

The recipients of the Ali Riaz Postgraduate Research Award are Arthee Nabanita and Farah Zahan Shuchi.

The six scholarship recipients are Farah Zahan Shuchi, Usama Rafid, Azra Humayra, Kouritra Poddar Tirtha, Mohammad Al Mukit and Muhammad Muzzammil Haque.