Teachers must shun factionalism, focus on education: NU VC

GAZIPUR, Sep 29: National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah has urged teachers to shun factionalism and focus on improving the educational environment, saying the teaching profession carries honour and responsibility beyond earning a livelihood.

“If you cannot protect the dignity of the teaching profession, you should not use the identity of a teacher to engage in division or factionalism,” he said.

The vice-chancellor made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Dhaka district-level ‘Inter-College Cultural and Debate Competition 2026’ at Tejgaon College in the capital on Tuesday.

Organised by the National University as part of the government’s ‘Learning with Happiness’ programme, the event brought together 357 students from 25 colleges. They participated in singing, dancing, poetry, recitation and debate competitions. National University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah attended the programme as special guest.

Addressing teachers of affiliated colleges, Amanullah said, “Stop factionalism, or else quit teaching. We need to come out of the trauma of the last 17 years. Now is the time to look ahead. Cooperate in running the government’s activities and work to improve the education system. We don’t want to be backdated anymore.”

He said many people choose teaching for its honour and the opportunity to contribute to society rather than for financial gain.

“Therefore, it is the responsibility of every teacher to protect its honour and dignity after joining this profession,” he said, adding that those unable to uphold the profession’s dignity should consider an alternative career or source of income.

Amanullah highlighted government initiatives to make education modern, skill-based and student-friendly, including the ‘Learning with Happiness’, ‘One Student, One Tree’, ‘Green Campus’ and solar power-based programmes.

“The government alone or the National University alone will not be able to achieve these goals if teachers do not cooperate,” he said. “Our goal is not just to publish exam results; it is to prepare students for the future.”

He said opportunities for teachers to pursue higher education and research had also been expanded. The scholarship for PhD studies, previously up to Tk4 lakh, has been increased to Tk10 lakh, while opportunities for full-time and part-time MPhil and research have also been introduced.

Encouraging teachers to pursue research, he said skilled and dedicated teachers were essential to advancing the National University’s large student community.

Amanullah also stressed the importance of cultural activities and debate in developing students, saying textbook knowledge alone was insufficient. Cultural practice, creativity, leadership, social responsibility and tolerance were also necessary for preparing students for future challenges.

The district-level winners will compete at the divisional level, with selected winners later advancing to the national competition.

The programme was presided over by Tejgaon College Acting Principal Professor Shamima Yasmin and moderated by Assistant Professor of Media and Theatre Studies Naureen Sajjad. National University Registrar Molla Mahfuz Al-Hossain, Director of Physical Education and Culture Mohammad Shafiul Karim, Acting Dean Professor Dr Fakir Rafiqul Alam, Acting Dean Professor Dr Ashek Kabir Chowdhury, officials, teachers, students and college representatives also attended.