DU Correspondent

The “Dhaka University Intra-Department Debate Festival” was inaugurated on Thursday  marking the first anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, under the theme “July Uprising: Voice of the Youth.” 

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Prof  Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, inaugurated the two-day festival as the chief guest at a ceremony held at the R.C. Majumdar Arts Auditorium.

Organized by the University of Dhaka with support from the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS), the festival aims to uphold the spirit of the historic July Revolution and to honor the student-public uprising.

Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), delivered the welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony. Special guests included Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin),  Prof  Dr. S. M. Shamim Reza, Chief Moderator of DUDS; and Professor Amirus Salat, Moderator of DUDS.

 The event was presided over by Zubair Hossain, President of DUDS, while General Secretary Ragib Anjum hosted the program.

In his speech, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said,  debate is one of the globally recognized mediums for practicing knowledge and free thought. Despite various limitations, the culture of debate has continued, he noted. He emphasized that the success of the July Uprising was achieved through the contributions of many people, which has enabled today’s freedom and the opportunity for open discourse. He expressed his gratitude to all involved in organizing the debate festival centered on the July Uprising.

It is mentioned  that the University of Dhaka has undertaken a series of programs to honor the spirit of the historic July Revolution and to commemorate the student-public mass uprising. As part of these initiatives, this debate festival has been organized. The main rounds of the festival will take place on 11 and 12 July, featuring 54 teams from various departments and institutes competing in a parliamentary debate format.