Free thinking and cultural activities are needed to be exercised in a greater extent at universities in order to check militancy, intolerance and other negative acts, said President Abdul Hamid yesterday.
At the 'Fourth Convocation Ceremony' of Islamic University, Kushtia, Hamid said the nation has seen incidents of negative activities like intolerance, extremism, militancy and arrogance at different higher educational institutions.
Therefore, discussions on different national and international issues, nation-building activities, contemporary-thinking, cultural activities and sports should be organised besides regular academic activities at universities to bring students out of the cycle of ignorance and flourish their intellectual power and spirit, he said.
The young generation is the source of unlimited power. Therefore, the youth must be liberal, freethinker, humane, and free from the influence of bad culture. They must use their strength and potentials to build the country, Hamid added.
Hamid, who is also the chancellor of the Islamic University, said universities are not only teaching centres but also are the highest institution for higher education and research.
Therefore, the universities must play an important role in making their students competent as well as complete human beings.
He also suggested that the fresh graduates should be optimistic and confident. "Do not follow anyone blindly. Explore new knowledge following our culture and values," the president added.
The thousand-year-old tradition of communal harmony and coexistence must continue in the country.
For the university authorities, Hamid said, the teachers must provide the students with prudent guidelines to learn science and its effective use, and achieve technological skills as well as international-level skills in ICT sector. University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, Convocation Speaker Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, and Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Dr Harun ur Rashid Askari also spoke.
Earlier, the president unveiled the plaque of newly-built mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman beside the main entrance gate of the university.
