Jagannath University (JnU) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir on Tuesday honoured 200 meritorious students from two academic sessions with the Kobi Matiur Rahman Mallik Merit Award.
The awards were given to the first, second, and third position holders from the 2018–19 and 2019–20 academic sessions.
The event was held on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm at the university’s Faculty of Science ground.
According to sources, each awardee received a crest, certificate, mug, pen holder, a copy of the Qur’an, a book on the Prophet’s biography (Sirat), a ceremonial scarf (uttorio), notepad, and pen as part of the merit award package.
Addressing the event as chief guest, JnU Vice-Chancellor Professor Rezwanul Karim, said, “For the past 17 years, we have lived with an inferiority complex about identifying ourselves as Muslims. I am speaking from my own experience, not about others. We pray and make supplications in mosques,there is no better place to ask from Allah than that. All religions and ideologies will have the freedom to practice and hold programs in the university. No one will face discrimination.”
Prof Dr. Abu Layek, president of University Teachers Link (UTL) of the JnU, said, “When we got admitted, it was the beginning of the IT era. Those who can adapt to the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions will survive. The kind of program Chhatra Shibir is organizing should actually be done by the university administration. When people receive recognition, they are motivated to do even better work.”
While delivering the keynote speech, Chhatra Shibir Central President Zahidul Islam, said,“Matiur Rahman Mallik wanted to establish a healthy cultural environment. We should not be arrogant about our current achievements, arrogance leads to downfall. Behind every success, there is the support of parents, family, relatives, and teachers. My message to you all is to remain honest, patriotic, and skilled.”
Expressing feelings, Ariful Islam, a student of the Department of Islamic Studies from the 2018–19 session, said, “I was a boy who used to fail in classes 6 and 7. I never imagined I’d get a chance at this university, let alone at Al-Azhar University. Chhatra Shibir values merit. Every JnU student is talented, and Allah has chosen us with greater responsibility. I only hope we can fulfill that duty properly.”
Provost of Student Hall–1 Md. Asaduzzaman Sadi, Managing Director of Krishibid Group Dr. Md. Ali Afzal, Professor Dr. Shakhawat Hossain of the Department of Botany, along with teachers, students, and leaders of various active student organizations, were present at the event.