DHAKA, June 30, 2024 (BSS) -President Mohammed Shahabuddin today said that the Dhaka University (DU) is an integral part of emergence, development, history-tradition, prosperity and success of Bangladesh.

"Centering Dhaka University, the political, social and cultural awakening took place in this subcontinent and in continuation of that, an independent and sovereign Bangladesh had emerged," he said in message marking the 104th founding anniversary of DU, the country's highest echelon of academic excellence, to be celebrated tomorrow.

The Head of the State said the students and teachers of the university have led all the democratic movements, struggles and socio-economic development of the country such as the language movement and the liberation war.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamed of the liberation of masses of the country from the premises of this university, said Shahabuddin.

Ahead of the day, he respectfully recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the great architect of independent Bangladesh.

"I have deep respect for all the intellectuals including teachers and students, officers and employees of Dhaka University who sacrificed their lives in the great liberation war," he said.

The government has announced 'Vision 2041' to make Bangabandhu's dream of 'Sonar Bangla' a reality and create a developed- prosperous 'Smart Bangladesh' announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.

He hoped that the Dhaka University would play an important role in realizing the dream of the father of the nation and reaping the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.

He believed that DU, the best university of the country, would play a more effective role in conducting world-class education and research programmes in the days to come.

The President wished success of all the programmes taken on the occasion of the  founding anniversary of Dhaka University.

The DU started its journey with just 877 students in three faculties and 12 departments in 1921.

The DU has played a vital role in Bangladesh history. Its students and teachers had sacrificed their lives in the Language Movement in 1952, the Mass Upsurge in 1969 and the Liberation War in 1971.

Even the national flag of Bangladesh was first hoisted at Bot Tola on the Dhaka University campus on March 2, 1971.