DU Convocation
<i>A pleasant end to a journey</i>
(Clockwise) Students toss their mortarboards in the air in front of Raju Bhaskorjo on the campus after completion of the 46th convocation of Dhaka University yesterday. President Zillur Rahman confers Honorary Doctor of Law degree on World Trade Organisation Director General Pascal Lamy and presents a gold medal to a successful graduate at the convocation. Photo: Star, PID
The Dhaka University yesterday presented before the country 17,000 of its brightest and talented graduates at its 46th convocation to mark the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one. “It's a wonderful feeling,” said Hasan Nitol, a master's graduate from the mass communication and journalism department of the university, told The Daily Star. “I'm absolutely happy! This is my graduation after all. This is what I've been working for over the past seven years.” But the day also meant that he was leaving behind his student life--“The best years of my life,” in his words which painted a tint of the blues in an otherwise ecstatic canvas of emotions. Tears sparkled in the eyes of Dilshad Hossain, a graduate of the social science faculty. “The convocation means I'm no longer a student of the university,” she said, “I can't seem to hold back the tears whenever the thought crosses my mind that I'm actually done with my studies.” Recalling his student life at the university, Khaled Hossain, a political science graduate said: “…We took to the streets to raise our voice against things that we resented, and also took to the streets to celebrate the things that we loved.” “We had got everything--all the prerequisites needed to mould a person into a complete human being,” he said, adding, “I feel privileged to be part of this crowd.” The university not only taught us topics of the academic arena, but also enriched us with the practical knowledge of the country's politics, culture and extra curricular activities, said Shamsul Kabir Rahat, a graduate of the department of social work. “Student life was golden time of my life. From now, I will miss the university campus, friends and teachers very much,” he said. As the 46th convocation ceremony drew to its end, graduates covered in black robes came out of the convocation ground in stream. The midday sun did little to hinder the celebrations as the graduates exchanged smiles and hugs. Cameras clicked everywhere to capture the celebrations. It was difficult to take a step without invading the frame of a camera. For those who did not carry cameras, Dhaka University Photography Society (DUPS) arranged a large photo booth at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). At the booth, groups of graduating friends cheered and threw their hats in the air as the cameras were flashed while others hugged their parents to share the moment with them. Amid the smiles and tears, there was also a sense of apprehension. “You can't help but feel a little fear at a moment like this,” said Obaidur Rahman, a graduate from the department of Arabic at the university. “Now my student life is over, I have to look forward to building my career. The future scares me,” he said. Khalid Hossain, the political science graduate, has, however, bigger dreams. “I want to go abroad for my post-doctorate to harness as much knowledge as possible to contribute to the academic arena of the world,” he said. Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, the vice-chancellor of the university, offered a word of advice for the graduates. “I hope the young graduates will utilise their knowledge to help the nation build a modern state with no hunger, poverty and corruption," he said adding, "We are happy to hold the convocation in a successful way.”
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