UGC Holds Dialogue at JUST to Promote Public Awareness on Referendum

A dialogue session focusing on public awareness regarding the upcoming referendum was held at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) among government and private universities.

The session commenced at 11:00 am on February 7, Saturday, in the Mohammad Sharif Hossain Gallery of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Academic Building with the national anthem. The chief guest of the session was Monir Haidar, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government and Associate of the National Consensus Commission. The session was presided over by JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Majid.

In his address, Monir Haidar said the Constitutional Reform Commission, formed under Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s government reform plans, was the most important of all the reform commissions. Nearly a thousand recommendations emerged from these commissions. The July National Charter 2025 was created based on the 84 most critical recommendations of the National Consensus Commission, and the first step for its implementation is the referendum. He added that the July mass uprising represented the people’s movement for liberation. He emphasized that the referendum is the only way to realize the aspirations of the martyrs and July fighters. If the July Charter is implemented, no autocracy will rise again in Bangladesh, and whichever government comes to power will be accountable to the people, ensuring participatory governance.

In his remarks, JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Majid said there is no alternative to a ‘Yes’ victory in the referendum for permanently eliminating autocracy from the country. He reaffirmed the commitment to tirelessly fulfill the dreams for which July martyrs sacrificed their lives and bullets. He also warned that conspiracies by fascist elements will be firmly countered to ensure a successful ‘Yes’ outcome in the referendum.

Additional speakers included Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, Vice-Chancellor of Pirojpur University of Science and Technology Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Treasurer of Islamic University Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, UGC representative Md. Golam Mostafa, fathers of July martyrs Abdullah and Imtiaz Ahmed Jaber, and several July fighters and representatives from various universities.

The dialogue was attended by vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, treasurers, faculty members, July fighters, student representatives, deans, department heads, and officials from 22 government and private universities. The session was conducted by JUST Treasurer Professor Dr. Hossain Al Mamun.

DBTech/MNH/EK/OR