RANGPUR, Dec 9, 2024 (BSS) - Special Assistant to the Ministry of Education Prof. Dr. Md. Aminul Islam, today said that Begum Rokeya, the pioneer of women's renaissance and social reformer, had always prioritized women's education.
 
"She worked directly for equal rights of women and men throughout her life," he said this at a discussion organized marking the Rokeya Day-2024 at the Independence Memorial Square of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) as the chief guest.
 
BRUR Vice-chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Showkat Ali presided over the discussion.

The founding Vice-chancellor of the university Professor Dr. Lutfar Rahman, Executive Director of Thengamara Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) and Rokeya Award-winning female entrepreneur Professor Dr. Hosne Ara Begum and education and administration expert AHM Mainuddin Titas spoke as special guests.

Convener of the Rokeya Day-2024 Celebration Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman gave the welcome speech.

At this time, the invited guests unveiled the cover of the book 'Rokeya Path'.

Professor Gulshan Ara of the Department of Language Sciences of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper.
 
Associate Professor of the Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman and Lecturer of the Department of Bangla Md. Khairul Islam participated in the discussion on the paper.

Prof. Aminul Islam said, the 'Smriti Kendra' in Pairaband village will be activated and brought under the BRUR in the future to conduct various research activities including teaching history and heritage.
 
He said there will be no more crises in BRUR, which is famous for the memory of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who became martyr in police firing while participating in the anti-discrimination student movement on July 16.
 
"The Tajhat Zamindar House will also be brought under this university and used as a research institute," he said.
 
He said, to increase the size of the BRUR campus, 50 acres of khasland adjacent to the campus will soon be allocated to resolve the physical infrastructure and housing crises.

Earlier, the day's formalities began at 10 am with the hoisting of the national flag along with the national anthem.

Then, the chief guest and the Vice-chancellor of BRUR laid wreaths at the temporary portrait of Begum Rokeya paying rich tribute to the great woman.
 
Later, the chief guest inaugurated the 'Shobhayatra' after releasing balloons and pigeons.

After the Zuhr prayer, milad and dua mahfils were organized at the central mosque.
 
BRUR Registrar Dr. Md. Harun-or Rashid and Lecturer of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Iffat Ara Bandhan jointly moderated the event.
 
Pro Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin, Vice-chancellor of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Professor Dr. M. Enamullah, BRUR Syndicate Member Professor (Retd.) of the Department of Applied Mathematics of Rajshahi University Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam Sarkar and Managing Director of Renesa Hospital and Research Institute Dr. Mosaddek Hossain Biswas were present as invited guests.