Chittagong: Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam today urged all, regardless of political affiliation, to come forward to ensure that universities are not politicised. He emphasized the importance of strong university systems for the proper functioning of other state institutions, calling for freedom of expression and the depoliticization of educational institutions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Islam made these remarks during a courtesy meeting with Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan. The meeting covered several issues, including the current academic environment, campus discipline, student safety, research, and the improvement of higher education standards.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan sought cooperation from various sectors to enhance the university’s administrative and academic activities. He emphasized the university’s commitment to maintaining a proper academic environment and improving research and education standards, aiming to achieve significant success through collective efforts.
Islam expressed concern about past adversarial relationships between political entities and university administrations, emphasizing the need to avoid such dynamics in the future. He highlighted the NCP’s plans to advocate for increased budget allocations for universities and enhanced funding for research in the upcoming budget.
He recalled the impactful role of university students during the July mass uprising and praised the university campus’s natural beauty. He also expressed hope for improving education quality, maintaining a healthy academic environment, strengthening local community relations, and addressing the university’s housing crisis.
The meeting was attended by NCP South Region Chief Organiser and Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 constituency Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Chief Organizer Jubairul Hasan Arif, CU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Proctor Prof. Dr. Hossain Shaid Shohrowardhy, and CUCSU Vice-President Ibrahim Hossain Rony, among others.