Desk Report: The Private University East unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organised a discussion, cultural programme and award ceremony in the capital on Friday, honouring the contributions of private university teachers and students to the July uprising.

The programme, held at the Convention Hall of Jamuna Future Park, was attended by members of families of those killed during the uprising, injured participants, teachers and students from various private universities, and representatives of different political and non-political student organisations.

The event was presided over by Private University East unit president Rezaul Karim, while its secretary Ashraful Islam Zayed moderated the programme. Alamgir Hossain, father of Sonargaon University student Sazzad Hossain, who was killed during the uprising, delivered the inaugural address.

As part of the programme, awards were presented in two categories to recognise students for academic excellence. In Category A, three students who achieved a CGPA of 4.00 up to the sixth semester received gold medals. They are Md Abir Hossain Sizan of Southeast University, Hadiuzzaman Rifat of Presidency University and Md Ashraful Akon of Shanto-Mariam University.

Around 80 students who achieved CGPAs between 3.70 and 3.99 received commemorative crests under Category B.

The chief guest was former central president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Dhaka North city Jamaat amir Muhammad Selim Uddin.

Speaking at the event, Selim Uddin said students had played leading roles in various mass movements and critical moments in the country`s history. He said the courage, sense of responsibility and sacrifices demonstrated by teachers and students of private universities during the July uprising would be remembered with respect.

He urged young people to work towards building a discrimination-free and justice-based society by upholding the ideals of those who lost their lives.

Former Shibir central president Zahidul Islam, speaking as a special guest, said the role of students at important turning points in history had always remained memorable.

He described the participation of private university students in the July uprising as a symbol of the courage, patriotism and unity of the new generation. He claimed that Shibir workers had been instructed to remain actively on the streets during the movement, adding that opposing authoritarianism had been the primary objective rather than seeking individual credit.

Zahidul also stressed the importance of preserving the memories of those killed and presenting what he described as an accurate account of the movement to future generations.

Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah, the principal discussant, said the July movement had added a new dimension to the country`s political culture and the language of movements.

He said private university students demonstrated leadership and courage at critical stages of the movement and played an important role in maintaining its momentum after public universities were closed.

Central research secretary Fakhrul Islam delivered a welcome address.

Among the university teachers who spoke at the event were Dr Akram Uddin of Northern University Bangladesh and Dr Tajwar of Independent University. Golam Rabbi, a student of Uttara University who was injured during the July movement, also spoke.

Sultan Talukdar, father of Selim Talukdar, a student of BGMEA University and representative of a martyr`s family, addressed the gathering as well.

Representatives of various student and social organisations also spoke at the programme.

Among political and student organisation representatives were Muhibbullah Al Hossaini, president of Shibir`s Dhaka West city unit; Shanto Talukdar, president of the Private University West unit; National Chhatra Shakti central leader Naim Abedin; Al Saimum of Jatiya Chhatra Samaj; and Nur Alam, convener of the National Chhatra Shakti Private University Committee.

At one stage of the programme, commemorative tokens were handed over to family members of those killed during the July uprising.

A documentary highlighting the participation and contributions of private university students to the movement was also screened.

Speakers at the event presented their respective views and assessments on the July uprising, the role of students and contemporary political issues. The statements reflected the individual opinions of the speakers.