Zahid calls for quality education, keep campus free from politics

Minister for Women and Children Affairs Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain has called for using educational institutions for nation building, not for factional politics.

"The educational institutions should be centres for building people, not for factional politics," he made while inaugurating the Rangpur Divisional Sports Competition of the National University at Dinajpur Government College here today (3 October).

National University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A S M Amanullah chaired the programme, while state minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque and lawmaker from Dinajpur-3 Syed Jahangir Alam were present as special guests.

Prof Zahid Hossain, also in charge of the ministry of social Welfare, said greater emphasis should be placed on life-orientated and skill-based education beyond conventional academic learning to prepare the younger generation to face future challenges.

"Students should not be confined to textbooks alone. They should be engaged in sports, technology, language learning and employment-orientated training," he said.

He stressed ensuring education in a joyful environment, saying to develop the young people properly, we have to create an environment where they can take sports as a profession.

The minister also highlighted the 'Learning with Happiness' programme, saying students should be encouraged to participate in cultural and sporting activities alongside their academic studies.

Prof Zahid Hossain said the students and young people should receive proper institutional guidance and training so that they can benefit from freelancing and modern technology.

He said the National University (NU) could utilise the infrastructure of its affiliated colleges to provide occupational training to a large number of students quickly.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said the government is taking extensive initiatives in the sports sector.

"These are not temporary measures. These initiatives are being undertaken on the basis of long-term research and long-term planning," he said.

He said sports allowances had been introduced to retain talented athletes while the first round of the Notun Kuri Sports programme had already been completed.

Plans have also been taken to establish a Sports Village in every district and stadiums at the upazila level, he said.

Aminul Haque said two training sessions aimed at improving the skills of young men and women had been successfully completed during the last seven months.

Participants have been able to earn foreign currency through freelancing after receiving only three-months training, he said, adding that the programme would continue. He said there was no alternative to sports for the physical and mental growth of youths.

"The NU is the country's largest educational family. Our goal is to take this huge youth force beyond the classroom and onto the playing field so that they can easily prepare themselves to face any challenge in the future," he said.

NU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A S M Amanullah said that the university must pay attention not only to students' higher education but also to their physical and mental well-being.

"We want our students not only to achieve good results but also to grow healthy, confident and responsible people," he said.

He said the NU has already started work to update its courses and curricula, which has been progressed substantially.

He added that various professional and skill-based courses are being introduced considering the needs of students and the government.

The vice-chancellor also announced the establishment of a regional campus of the NU here.

The 3-day National University Inter-College Sports Competition-2026 for Rangpur Division began today with colourful programmes.

A total of 1,154 student-athletes from different colleges of the division who secured first place and gold medals at the district level are taking part in the event being organised by university's Department of Physical Education and Culture as part of the "Learning with Happiness" programme.

The participants are competing in a total of 72 events, including football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, swimming and athletics. The inauguration programme turned into a festive gathering, with students-athletes, teachers and sports enthusiasts creating a lively atmosphere.

Dinajpur Government College Principal Prof Lutfor Rahman delivered the welcome address, where Director of the NU Department of Physical Education and Culture Mohammad Shafiul Karim conducted the function.