Lord Lytton’s words of wisdom at Dhaka University’s first convocation

July 1, 2021, marked 100 years of the establishment of Dhaka University (DU). The institution initiated its journey with only 60 teachers and 877 students.

DU's first convocation was held on February 22, 1923. To celebrate the occasion, the university's first Chancellor, Lord Lytton, gave an inspiring speech addressing the first batch of students. He was appointed as the Governor of Bengal at a crucial time. The colonial government was determined to implement the India Act of 1919, while the Indian National Congress strived to get the act annulled.

During his speech, Lord Lytton highlighted how the university is Dhaka's greatest possession.

While serving as the apex of academic excellence, DU also functions as a central premise for free thought and democratic practices. It strives to combine the pursuit of knowledge and truth with the values and needs of an evolving society. Additionally, the institution played an instrumental role in various student movements throughout the years.

Lord Lytton focused on the fact that the quality of a university is verified by its students, in terms of their academic success and the reputation they have earned on campus and in public life. He further invited the graduates to aid him in making DU a successful institution, within and beyond Bengal.

A university degree creates a pathway for materialistic success and is the stepping stone of numerous opportunities, he noted. Lord Lytton did not object to students using their degrees to transform their lives, but emphasised on the importance of giving something back. An institution is not merely restricted as a graduate factory and is a place for acquiring knowledge. After becoming successful in their own fields, he urged students to look back at their alma mater and help the institution in every way possible.

DU organised its 52nd convocation on December 9, 2019.

The author is a freelance journalist who likes reading, planning, and scribbling. Email: mislammonamee@gmail.com.