Convocations at IU are half a century away; Twelve thousand students await formal recognition

The highest university in the southwestern part of the country is the Islamic University of Kushtia. Its journey began on November 22, 1979, in Shantidanga-Dulalpur, a place between Kushtia and Jhenaidah districts. The university has entered 46 years after going through various ups and downs. However, only four convocations have been organized at the university in the 45 years of its establishment. Students have expressed their anger over the lack of any convocation in the last 6 years. They have demanded that the university organize its next convocation without delay.

It is known that the first convocation was held on April 27, 1993, the second on December 5, 1999, the third on March 28, 2002 and the fourth on January 7, 2018. This 175-acre university has entered 46 years after passing 45 years of its establishment. Therefore, about twelve thousand students are waiting for the fifth convocation.

Meanwhile, due to the lack of regular convocations, students are not getting formal recognition of their degrees. Many are having to leave the university with temporary certificates instead of the original certificates.

According to university sources, about 9,500 graduates, MPhil and PhD degree holders received their original certificates in the 2018 convocation. In the fourth convocation, the university's undergraduates and postgraduates up to the year 2011-12, 2014-15 and MPhil and PhD degree holders approved by the 236th syndicate participated.

Currently, in addition to the graduation of most departments in the 2017-18 academic year, several departments have completed their postgraduate degrees. In addition, some MPhil and PhD researchers have taken their degrees. However, none of them have received formal recognition.

In this regard, Abdullah Al Baki, a 2015-16 student of the university's Department of Da'wah and Islamic Studies, said,
"Convocation is an important tradition of a university, which provides formal recognition of the long hard work of students. It is not just a celebration of achievements, but also a source of inspiration for the future. Not convocation in six years is disappointing; it is part of the rights and pride of students."

In this regard, Dr. Iqbal Hossain, Director of the University's Institute of Islamic Education and Research and Professor of the Department of Da'wah and Islamic Studies, said, "Convocation is a desired object for every student. The gown that students wear in it allows them to represent themselves internationally. In the outside world, mainly faculty-based convocations are organized regularly. But our country's perspective is different in this regard. However, if the university administration can plan to implement it faculty-wise, then it is possible to organize convocations properly."

In this regard, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Naqib Mohammad Nasrullah said, "Convocation is a fair right of students. We are thinking about it. Conducting convocation centrally requires extensive preparation. This wastes time. We are thinking about faculty-based implementation for regular convocation. We will discuss this with the deans and take effective steps later."