NU Nurtures Nationwide: Freelancing and Future Skills for Female College Students
The National University (NU) has taken the initiative to develop 50,000 female college students as freelancers at its own expense. In addition, the university is undertaking various programs, with the support of a2i, the National Skills Development Authority, UNICEF, and other organizations, to enhance students’ career-oriented and employability skills by providing training in technology and technical fields.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr. A. S. M. Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, stated that alongside reforming outdated syllabuses, initiatives have been taken to provide training in technology and technical subjects to transform the large number of students studying in about 2,500 affiliated colleges across the country into skilled manpower.
The chief guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said: “The patriotism and courage demonstrated by young people during the July mass uprising and the anti-discrimination movement have opened a new chapter in the nation’s struggle.”
She made these remarks in her speech at the award-giving and discussion session of the National University’s Inter-College Cultural and Debate Competition, held on Saturday, August 23.
Congratulating the participants of the competition, the environment adviser further said: “The heritage and culture of this country are deeply connected with nature. Therefore, raising public awareness is crucial when it comes to any development project that goes against nature.”
In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. S. M. Amanullah emphasized: “The National University is working to make the nation’s educated youth more skilled, and for this, technical and policy support from the government is particularly necessary.”
He further stated: “The National University has undertaken an initiative to develop 50,000 female college students into freelancers at its own expense. To enhance career-oriented and practical skills among students, the university has already signed memoranda of understanding with organizations such as a2i, the National Skills Development Authority, and UNICEF. For true progress in the education sector, both primary education and teaching at the National University require reform and investment.”
Referring to the July uprising, he added: “In line with its objectives, the National University has been working to bring about a transformation in sports and culture, while also addressing the mental health of students.”
Among others, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Sports Board Professor Md. Lutfar Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, and Treasurer Professor Dr. A. T. M. Zafarul Azam delivered speeches. The program was conducted by Mohammad Shafiul Karim, Director of the Department of Physical Education and Culture and Member-Secretary of the Sports Board. Faculty deans, the registrar, department heads, teachers, officers, and students of the university were present.
At the end of the event, the chief guest Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. S. M. Amanullah handed over awards to the winners of the national-level Inter-College Cultural and Debate Competition.
Earlier in the morning, the competition was inaugurated by Professor Md. Lutfar Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Sports Board. In this national-level event, a total of 184 students took part in the final rounds of 11 events, including extempore speech, folk songs and mass songs, poetry recitation, drama, patriotic songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, dance, creative group dance, and debating. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the martyrs of the July–August mass uprising.
