Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan paid deep tribute to the July movement fighters and remarked that, “Because of the historic July mass uprising, we are now heirs to a legacy. This has significantly increased our responsibility. We must now move forward toward building an inclusive society.”
He made these comments as the chief guest at two separate seminars organized by the Faculty of Business Studies and the Faculty of Law on Sunday marking the first anniversary of the historic July mass uprising.
The seminars were held under the chairmanship of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed, who is also the convener of the DU academic seminar committee on the July Uprising. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin) Prof Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke as special guests.
A seminar titled "July Uprising: Economic Exploitation and Moral Decline" was held at the Professor Abdullah Faruq Multipurpose Conference Hall, organized by the Faculty of Business Studies. The faculty’s Dean, Pro Dr. Mahmud Osman Imam, gave the welcome address, while Professor Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous, a member of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission and professor in the Department of International Business, presented the keynote paper.
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Law organized a seminar titled "Human Rights and the July Uprising" in its conference room. The faculty’s Dean, Prof Dr. Mohammad Ikramul Haque, delivered the welcome speech. Former law student Saiyed Abdullah presented the keynote paper. Department Chair Professor Md. Khurshid Alam and Professor Dr. Shahinaz Huda participated in the discussion. The seminar also featured a short play titled "The Revolution Within", performed by first-year law students, inspired by the July uprising.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan further said that to honor the July fighters and critically analyze July from an academic perspective, the university has organized a series of national and international standard seminars, commemorative events, and cultural programs. “We want these initiatives to move beyond mere formality. The insights, opinions, and topics discussed in these seminars should be shared globally. We must work collectively toward this goal. The consequences of division are well-known to us all. Therefore, we must preserve our unity, always remembering that unity is strength,” he stated.
Various departments also held their own seminars in observance of the July Uprising anniversary:
Department of Islamic History and Culture:
A seminar titled "36 July: Liberation through Revolution" was held at the R.C. Majumdar Arts Auditorium. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed attended as chief guest. The seminar was chaired by Department Chair Prof Md. Ataur Rahman Biswas. Faculty of Arts Dean Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan spoke as a special guest. Prof Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad delivered the welcome address. Prof Md. Mahfuzul Islam and Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman Miazi joined the discussion. Students who participated in the uprising also shared their memories.
Department of Japanese Studies:
The department hosted a seminar titled "Looking Back at July: The Concept of Social Justice in the Context of the Mass Uprising." DU Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was present as the chief guest. The session was chaired by Department Chairperson Dr. Lopamudra Malek. Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr. Taiyebur Rahman attended as a special guest. Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun presented the keynote paper, and Lecturer Wasik Sajid Khan moderated the session.
Department of Mass Communication and Journalism:
A seminar titled "Unfading Memories of July 2024" was organized by the department. The event was presided over by the Faculty of Social Sciences Dean and Department Chair ProfDr. Taiyebur Rahman. Prof Robayet Ferdous moderated the program. In the seminar, Prof Dr. Giti Ara Nasreen and other faculty members and students reflected on their involvement in the July uprising, their firsthand experiences, and their hopes for the future.
