Over 850 DU students get Imdad-Sitara Scholarship

More than 850 students from Dhaka University (DU) and other institutions across the country have been awarded the Imdad-Sitara Khan Scholarship in 14 categories for the 2024-25 academic year.

The scholarships were handed over on Saturday at a function held at the TSC auditorium. It was attended by DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam as the chief guest, who urged students to become good human beings rather than mere certificate holders.

The scholarship programme was funded by the Imdad-Sitara Khan Foundation.

The event was organised by Spandanbi.

DU VC urged students to become good human beings rather than mere certificate holders. "Imdad sir's soul will find peace when good-hearted people emerge from this noble scholarship programme," he added.

Former UGC member Professor Dr Ehsanul Haque, speaking as the special guest, cautioned against pressuring children to come first, saying wisdom matters more than knowledge alone.

Foundation Co-Founder Sitara Khan, joining virtually, said the scholarship is not just financial support but “an initiative to open new doors of possibility” for talented students. She recalled that founder Dr Imdadul Haq Khan believed true success lay in bringing positive change to others' lives.

The scholarship began in 2004 with just 72 students in four categories. It has since grown more than tenfold. Jahangirnagar University student Asma said receiving the scholarship has helped her focus more on her studies.

Dr Imdadul Haq Khan, a physicist who worked at Imperial College London and NASA among other institutions, established the foundation before his death in 2006, leaving its leadership to his wife Sitara Khan.