Convocation is the day when, after completing graduation, students dress in black gowns and celebrate joyfully with friends. It is a special memory in the life of every student. On this day, they formally receive their main certificate. However, at the University of Barishal (BUB), such joyous moments have remained only a dream. Even after more than a decade since its establishment, the university has not been able to organize a single convocation.

Established in 2011, the University of Barishal has seen the graduation of 13 batches so far. Of these, 8 batches have completed their undergraduate degrees and left, yet none have had the opportunity to attend a convocation. As a result, the number of students deprived of convocation is increasing every year. For many, convocation has become like a "golden deer."

It is learnt  that the university’s former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Md. Badruddoza Bhuiyan, announced preparations for convocation last year and invited the President, Md. Shahabuddin. The President also expressed interest in attending that convocation. However, afterward, no visible steps were taken by the administration.

Former students complain that, due to the lack of a convocation, they are entering the workforce with provisional certificates instead of the main certificate. This is causing various complications, especially in jobs or pursuing higher education abroad.

Former students are regularly expressing their frustration on social media regarding this issue. According to them, the reason the convocation has not been organized till now is the indifference and lack of planning by the university administration.

Muhammad Khaja Ahmed, a former student of the Department of Management Studies, said, “I completed my graduation several years ago, but there has still been no convocation—this is very disappointing for us. As a student, convocation is not just a formality; it is a symbol of our hard work and dream fulfillment.

 The absence of convocation has created a sense of incompleteness among us. Moreover, the lack of the main certificate often causes complications in jobs or higher studies, where a provisional certificate is not enough. I sincerely urge the university administration to announce a clear timeline and plan to organize the convocation without delay. A glorious convocation with the joint participation of former and current students has become a demand of the time.”

Millat Hossain, a former student of the Department of Public Administration, said, “Convocation is a cherished moment for a university student to preserve memories with care. It is not just the formal conclusion of receiving a certificate. Rather, the black gown and square cap are expressions of pride and inspiration. Let us be united again in the spirit of convocation.”

Recently, among the 82 demands submitted by students to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor for the overall development of the university, one of the demands was to organize the convocation within the current year.

When asked about this, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof  Dr. Mohammad Toufiq Alam, said, “Every student hopes for a convocation after completing four years of study. I will take the necessary steps in this regard.”