Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan declared his intention to reduce state dependence and shield university administration from political influence.
On Sunday he made the statement during a Tk 1 million cheque handover ceremony from Al-Arafah Bank Limited for Department of Statistics Floor Expansion Project held at lounge adjacent to Vice-Chancellor's office.
"We want to reduce our dependence on government. Otherwise, under various pressures, our backbone will bend. These pressures will be more intense during partisan governments. We want to keep university administration free from political influence," said Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan.
Expressing gratitude to bank representatives, VC emphasised, "This should not be viewed simply as cheque handover. I see this as beginning of relationship. We want to make this relationship longer, deeper and more sustainable."
He appealed to alumni for stronger connections, saying, "We want to maintain normal and social relationship with you all. We want you to visit us and we also want to come to you. There should be ongoing communication between us, which will gradually forge social relationship."
Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan lamented universities' growing isolation from society, noting, "We have ourselves severed universities from fabric of society. Now, we must bring them back. We must institutionalise these relationships. Whether we make mistakes or achieve successes, we should do so together. There should be no blame game."
Notable attendees included Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman, Statistics Department Chairman Professor Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Professor Saima Sharmin, Al-Arafah Bank Acting Managing Director Rafat Ullah Khan, Deputy Managing Director Abdul Al Mamun, and various bank officials.
NRE/SH
