Rokeya Award distribution held at DU

The Dhaka University (DU) Rokeya Hall organised a series of day-long programmes on Thursday to observe Rokeya Day, culminating in the distribution of the prestigious Begum Rokeya Memorial Foundation Gold Medal and scholarships.

The day's events included a colourful rally, the 37th Begum Rokeya Memorial Foundation commemorative lecture, and an award ceremony held in the evening at the Rokeya Hall auditorium, according to a press release.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan attended the programme as the chief guest and handed over the awards to the deserving students.

In his address, Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan paid profound tribute to Begum Rokeya, stating that her contributions to women's education remain eternal.

Congratulating the award recipients, he described them as the "successors of Begum Rokeya" and urged them to spread the light of knowledge throughout society.

The commemorative lecture, titled "Rokeyar Shomoy" (Rokeya's Time), was delivered by Professor Dr Perween Hasan, vice-chancellor of Central Women's University and chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The event was presided over by the Provost of Rokeya Hall, Professor Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, while University Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury attended as a special guest.

This year, Jayanti Ghosh, a student of the Department of Mathematics, was honoured with the Begum Rokeya Memorial Foundation Gold Medal.

In addition, several students received merit scholarships. They are Riya Saha (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), Faria Sharmin (Institute of Statistical Research and Training), Rifa Sanjidah (Zoology), Arpita Saha (Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), Tanzima Bushra Rayan (Institute of Education and Research), and Nadia Farzana Sumaiya and Sadia Akter Suraiya (International Business).

The general scholarship recipients were Mithila Farzana (Institute of Education and Research), Rukaiya Parveen Laboni (Microbiology), Mariam Maliha (Graphic Design), Munshi Mustarin Jamal Proma (Economics), and Mst. Sara Moni (Geography and Environment).

Moreover, Mst. Mousumi Akter from the Department of Population Sciences received a welfare scholarship.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including DU Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, former provosts Professor Dr Tajmeri SA Islam and Professor Dr Laila Nur Islam, as well as deans of various faculties, alumni, and parents.