DHAKA, Oct 29, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government wants to build developed Bangladesh enriched with knowledge and science maintaining global standard.

"I want to tell one thing to our teachers and students standing at the Dhaka University that we want to build our country as developed enriched with knowledge and science," she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing as the Convocation Speaker of the special convocation arranged to confer Honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (posthumous).

She also urged all to make them worthy as the country's ongoing developments could never be hampered.

The premier said none should forget that Bangalees are a victorious nation, adding, "We have to stand keeping our head high in the world."

She said she wanted their children to take the country towards prosperity and development acquiring required knowledge on science.

"We have been doing everything possible for the development of the country. So the progress of the country towards prosperity will not be stopped," she said.

Briefly describing the development works of her government, she said they have eradicated poverty from Bangladesh ensuring economic progress despite the world has been suffered setback due to the Covid-19 and wars.

"I urge you all to make sure that the country's advancement is not hampered amid the Covid-19 and wars," she said.

The premier said all have to remember that the independence of the country had been achieved through huge bloodshed and sacrifices.

"We have to reach its benefit to every house," she said.

She also said none of the Bangladeshis will not be homeless and landless and remain in darkness.

"We will give light to every house and address to every person," she said.

Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Convocation President Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman announced conferring the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (posthumous) on the Father of the Nation and handed over it to the prime minister and Bangabandhu's elder daughter.

After receiving the degree, Sheikh Hasina signed on the degree on behalf of her Father, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier, on her arrival at the venue Dhaka University Central Playground, the prime minister was received by the DU VC.

Sheikh Hasina also witnessed a colorful cultural programme. Two youths mimicked the Father of the Nation by uttering Bangabandhu's various speeches.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, DU VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr Muhammad Samad and Treasurer Prof Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, spoke at the function.

DU Vice-Chancellor (Education) Dr A S M Maksud Kamal read out the citation on the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred on the Father of the Nation.

DU Registrar Prabir Kumer Sarker moderated it.

An audio-visual documentary on the struggles of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Dhaka University was also screened at the function.

At the outset of the programme, the national anthem was played while one minute silence was observed to show respect to Bangabandhu.

 

Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for giving importance on the research works to make sure country's advancement confronting all the odds.

“More importance should be given to research works. We have ensured food security as we have achieved great success in agricultural research,” she said.

To this end, she mentioned that the government has launched Bangabandhu-1 Satellite and the second one will be also launched. 

“Then our next mission will be to keep step on the moon. For this, the government has already established the Aviation and Aerospace University at Lalmonirhat,” she said.

The Prime Minister said that the only goal of her government is to build Bangladesh as cherished by Father of the Nation. 

“The position of prime minister is alluring for me at all. I could have become the Prime Minister long ago. But I didn't want it in that way,” she said. 

In this connection, she said that her only aim was to utilize the power for welfare of the people and build the country as dreamt by the Father of the Nation. “That's what I'm trying to do,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina urged the educated people not to forget the downtrodden people in their areas.

“The more developed they will be, the better the country would be. The progress of a handful of people is not desired, it should be universal. Our development will come from the grassroots level,” she said.

She said that since 2009 the Awami League government is in the power and it has changed Bangladesh.

“We could do this by keeping every word of the Father of the Nation in our heart and realising his dream. I did it in that way,” she said.

The Prime Minister said that the government has been able to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh. 

Pointing out the country’s economic growth during the tenure of AWami League government the prime minister said, corona pandemic and war disrupted the progress of our country as elsewhere in the world,” she said. 

The Prime Minister thanked Dhaka University authority for conferring Honarary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu. 

“Dhaka University is such an institution for which I have a special place in my heart. If I could get admission again, I would be happy to finish my Master's degree here,” the premier, a graduate of the university said. 

In this regard, she said that she has received many degrees from many countries of the world. But the DU degree is very special for her. 

“I am not satisfied with those degrees as those were not from my university. Of course, I was given an honour. But it would have been better if I could have a chance for pursuing study here again,” she said.