Japanese academic Atsushi Sunami to address DU’s 54th convocation

Japanese academic Professor Dr Atsushi Sunami, president of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, will address Dhaka University's 54th convocation and receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, according to a university press release issued today (11 October).

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will preside over the ceremony, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has agreed to attend as the guest of honour, the release said.

The announcement came at a meeting held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban auditorium to discuss preparations for the convocation.

The university will also confer an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Professor Dr Muhammad Harunur Rashid, a donor to a Dhaka University trust fund. The decision was taken at a Syndicate meeting following a recommendation from the Academic Council, according to the release.

Graduates whose examination results are published between 20 and 30 November, along with medal recipients, will be eligible to attend the convocation.

Applications to participate will open on 1 November and close on 30 November, the university said.

The meeting also formed an executive and management committee, along with several subcommittees, to oversee preparations for the ceremony.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam urged the committees to begin work promptly and called for cooperation to ensure a smooth, peaceful and celebratory event.

Among those attending the meeting were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and Senate members, including lawmakers Md Amanullah Aman, Khairul Kabir Khokon and AKM Fazlul Haque Milon. Deans, hall provosts, department chairs, institute directors and office heads were also present.