The University of Dhaka has passed 100 years since 1921. Today its centenary anniversary. Professor Sir Philip Joseph Hartog led the university for 5 years from beginning as a first vice chancellor. In order to remember the university, many legendary educationists, intellectuals have published articles, journals stating history, educational curriculum, governing systems, achievements and shortcomings of the university.
However, once upon a time this university was being recognised as like western Oxbridge universities. In fact it is known after reading many legendary's books, Prof. Sir Philip, VC, was very uncompromising on standard of the study from beginning, he always looked after the students visiting the Halls, accommodation and study rooms. During his tenure, many students failed in their academic years and didn't allow students who didn't attend the classes regularly. In his speech at the second convocation of the university on February 20, 1924, he said: "We have not hesitated to maintain a high standard of examination from the first and we shall not hesitate to maintain it." Although the university of Dhaka started its journey with 60 teachers and 847 students where Ms Lila Nag was the only girl student. After passing 4 years, the university got only 9 girls where one Muslim girl student. Therefore, it reports the educational situation of this part of Bengal during British empire.
In addition, it is known that East Bengal Muslim community was very backward on education, progressiveness due to conservativeness on many things as well as religion. Muslim leaders requested British rulers to establish university in the area to enlighten the backward society. Finally, British Lord built the university of Dhaka in Dhaka. Even it was also initiative to unite undivided Bengal repealing BanghaBangha, partition of Bengal. Two teachers of Dhaka College, Naresh Chandra Sengupta and TC Williams played vital role favour the university's autonomic governance and it was often approved.
On the other hand, university started increasing its students' number regular basis. Many students went to Great Britain for higher degrees after passing from the university. After partition of British India, Pakistan appointed many VC into the university and also passed university Act to run the university. However, movements on many issues since partition of British India and Bengal to Pakistan period, 1947-1971, tookplace where students of the Dhaka university played always vital role and even many times leading role especially language movement, Juktofrant political movement, 21 terms and Six terms Choydafa, Farmers movements, women's rights movement, education movement, anti govt movement, Ghonoobbothan civil rights movement, independence movement, and so on. During the time, students as well as professors also tookpart on many movements and gave blood like Prof Dr Shamzuzhuha, Prof Dr Muniruzzaman and so on. University Dhaka started teaching their students academic curriculum as well as rights of the nation, justice-injustice in the society, progressiveness, women's rights and empowerment, independence and sovereignty, good governance, state and government with citizen, liberty and history and fight, culture, knowing the nation and prosperity, etc. Following these, the university spent more time educating basic curriculum and preparing students for movements instead of giving time on traditional research on academic curriculum comparing with western universities. In fact, the students of the university as well as professors were involved more into the politics based on the achievement of the many historic movements like independence.
Moreover, Since after independence, it has been also going on til present time. Many students unions were formed into university and students are used to participating largely political parties activities and movements. Students are praised ousting the dictator government taking part into the movements though students in many countries are used to takepart dynamic movements and involved working in students' union alongside academic study. It is notable that national leaders, politicians, bureaucrats and high officials are made from students and professor of the university. On the other hand, generally critics allege this political side of the university for shortcoming of the academic study and its standard comparing with best universities or contemporary originated universities.
However, the university has achieved huge leading the nation enlightening on many issues including language, independence, good governance, civil rights as well as teaching regular academic curriculum. Many legendary persons have praised the university stating its golden ear focusing its historic roles alongside they point out the shortcoming on research on academic curriculum, and standard of curriculum comparing the demand of present modern scientific technological era and achievement in this field where world renowned notable universities Oxbridge, Harvard, Heidelberg, etc are running especially working on academic studies based on research instead of working more society, country building. Though more than 50% are now taking education from Private Universities, Colleges due to shortage of seats into the Public Universities, Colleges and Private Universities' non political involvement's benefits avoiding session clutter as well as others like education quality, specialize subjects, courses for job market.
Political culture, society are different in every country . Therefore, now time to think how it can be achieved in the Dhaka University comparing world notable universities.
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