Culture and Activities at University of Dhaka

Teacher Student Center
Teacher-Student Centre, the only one of its kind in Bangladesh, is an all-campus activity centre designed for relaxation and guidance. It has its value as community centre unifying the life of the university and serves as a sponsor of self-directed activity in which students learn that they are responsible for the welfare of their university and their country. The centre seeks to foster a type of campus community life which supplements the formal academic programme of the university.
The centre brings together under one roof dining rooms and meeting rooms, library and reading rooms, art and music rooms, stage and multipurpose hall, games rooms, etc. These form the social and cultural heart of the campus. Students and faculty members mingle in the cafeteria and the bookstore lounges, sports and recreational areas. Recognized campus organizations hold their meetings and functions, lectures, and arts exhibitions here. Discussion sessions are frequently scheduled, journals and bulletins published, and competitions held, giving the university a varied and interesting programme of cultural and social events. TSC, in the meantime, designated and fixed few dates for some events. For example, Basanta Utshab (13-14 February), Boishaki Utshab (15-19 April), Fete de la Musique (2 July) and Friendship Day (first Sunday of August).
TSC created a working field by the formation of the Dhaka University Cultural Team with a new approach which reflected a great impact amongst the student community. T.S.C. is resounded by the teachers, students of different halls, activists of socio-cultural organizations with educational, co-curricular and entertainment programmes; national and international seminars, symposia, freshers and farewell receptions and orientation programmes of departments and institutes.
The Centre houses the office of the Dhaka University Debating Society, Dhaka University Film Society, Dhaka University Tourist Society, Dhaka University Journalists Association, House of Volunteers-Dhaka University (HoV, DU), Dhaka University Social Action Club (DUSAC), Dhaka University Science Club (DUSC), Dhaka University Chess Club, socio-cultural student groups, Rover Scout, Dhaka University Publication Centre, Bank, Utilityshop, Food Corner, and the facilities of a voluntary blood donation organization, called Badhan, organized by the students.
Celebration of festivals
The University of Dhaka is the center of the most major national celebrations in the capital.
Pohela Boishakh (Bangla New Year)
Pohela Boishakh, the colourful Bangla New Year's Day festival takes place in the University of Dhaka campus where a large number of people gather welcoming the new year. The ceremony is held at the Institute of Fine Arts. Students and teachers of the institute and other faculties take out a colourful procession and parade round the campus. Social and cultural organisations celebrate the day with cultural programmes.
Nobanno Utsab of Bengal
University of Dhaka celebrates Nabanno, a traditional annual festival marking the harvest of new crop, in style. Hundreds of girls and boys, in traditional dress, attend the harvest festival, Nabanno Utsab, held at Bakultala at the Institute of Fine Arts in the university campus. Colorful rallies are organized at the university campus. The festival began with the melody of flute followed by recitations, dance and folk songs, especially Jari and Sari. Traditional dances are performed. The country's leading artistes and cultural organizations perform. Painting camps and competition for children are organized by painters and exhibited later on. Though 'Nabanno', the festival of the harvest, is closely connected to rural culture, urban people are getting more and more involved with the festival and the university plays a vital role here.
Basanta Utshab
Pohela Falgun, the first day of colorful spring (13 February), is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and in style in the University of Dhaka campus. Students wear colorful attire and performs in traditional cultural activities.
The Bengali nation reaches with its cultural heritage discovering itself newly every day. Realization of the fact that we are a nation with our rich background has become necessary than ever in the current context of the globalization. We need to stand up and distinguish ourselves and be a part of the global village with our pride and dignity. Natural beauty Bengal and these are obvious parts of our cultural heritage. It used to be widely celebrated across the country in the recent past. With urbanization we seem to forget this but never been forgotten from our heart. Spring brings our hearts closer to each other.
Jatio Basanta Utshab Utjapon Porishad with a vision to bring the beauty of spring, the king of all seasons, to urban life, was established in 1401 (Bangia). Rabindranath Tagore, the great poet, was the mastermind to celebrate the colorful event of Bengali life. Since then it has been a main feature of the life of Bengali people. In Bangladesh, some foremost cultural dignitaries came together and decided to celebrate ‘Basanta’. The first Utshab was celebrated in 1401 at Bakultala, Faculty of Fine Arts of University of Dhaka and was a great success. Since then Jatio Basanta Utshab Utjapon Porishad have welcomed the king of the season with the people of Dhaka city. It has become a part of urban Dhaka life. The Bakultala of Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka being de facto venue of this Utshab attracts people of all sphere of life. The nice and natural beauty of the venue adds to be tune of the spring.
Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day)
Bijoy Dibos (Victory Day) is celebrated every year on 16 December. Throughout the month of December, student organizations arrange cultural activities and sports tournaments. Being a national occasion, 16 December sees the people of Dhaka gather around the university campus to celebrate the victory against the opposing force in 1971.
International Mother Language Day
21 February is the International Mother Language Day. For Bangladesh, it is specially remembered for the martyred of 21 February 1952 who gave their life to establish the right to speak Bangla. The Central Shahid Minar (Monument to remember the martyrs) is on the university campus. Processions from all around the country come to express their love and respect to the martyrs by placing flowers on the base of the Shahid Minar throughout the eve of 21 February and the following day. Student organizations participate with the government to arrange the event.
Religious harmony
The University of Dhaka is a place of religious harmony. The university students and teachers enjoy holidays in the major festivals of Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, etc., religions. Although Bangladesh and the university is Muslim majority, other religious festivals are celebrated on campus. For example, major Hindu religion festivals, such as Durga Puja and Sharashwati Puja, are celebrated every year at Jagannath Hall with enthusiastic participation of Muslims and others.
Badhan: Voluntary Blood Donation as a Social Movement
The journey of Badhan has been continuing since 1997. The first action of the organization was a Free Blood Group Testing Program on 24 October 1997 in Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University. Shahidullah Hall is very close to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, and before that time people needing blood for patients would gather regularly in or near the hall gate, seeking help. A student of the hall, Md. Shahidul Islam Ripon, is credited with being the driving force to found the organization.
The members of Badhan donate blood themselves and motivate others to do so. The blood provided is fresh, rather than frozen.
The Voice of Business (VOB)
The Voice of Business (VOB) is a student organization based at the Faculty of Business Studies (FBS), University of Dhaka. It started its journey back on May 2007. It is mentored by teachers from eight departments. The VOB produces a semi-annual magazine. The magazine "The Voice of Business" focuses on stories that provide students with a broader understanding of business leadership, industry innovation, international perspectives, and career track advice.The organization also holds events such as workshops, seminars, corporate talks, "VOB Week", etc.
Bangladesh National Cadet Corps
Raised in 1927 under the Indian Territorial Forces Act
1923, UOTC has imparted military training to university
students from its inception. On 23 March 1979,
all battalions raised here and in other institutions
were merged to form the Bangladesh National Cadet
Corps (BNCC).
The following are the objectives of the Bangladesh
National Cadet Corps:
*Develop individual character, leadership qualities, and comradeship in young men and women.
*Provide military training to young men and women so as to stimulate their interest in the defense of the country.
*Provide disciplined volunteers for nation's development programmes and relief during natural calamities.
*Provide a second line of defense in the wake of external aggression.
*Build up a reserve of potential leaders for the nation, including the armed forces.
*BNCC has incorporated all facilities which students used to get from UOTC.
Dhaka University Rover Scout Group
The Dhaka University Rover Scout Group has been
playing an important role in the Bangladesh Scout
Movement and in various discipline-related and voluntary
activities in the University.
There are five units, including a girl-in-scouting, in Dhaka University Rover Scout Group. At present
there are more than three hundred trained Rovers in these five units. These units are led by expert rover scout leader, senior rovermate and rovermate.
Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers
The Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers (BAYR) is the first national youth research association in Bangladesh established on 3 October 2005 with a view to improve the research and development activities in Bangladesh by the young scholars. At mid September four students of the University of Dhaka think about the research organization, totally headed and organized by the young peoples and keeps the interest of young researchers . In this regard they talked with some intellectuals and prominent researchers. And with their suggestion and inspiration they, the four potential scholars, established the association.
Magazine by students
Monthly Din Badaler Katha is the monthly magazine of University of Dhaka, published by the students since 1997.

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