BM Report:

The Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) has again arranged scholarships for 667 students this year to carry out a countrywide campaign against social problems like drug abuse and child marriage.

Each student will get Tk 7,500, in a three- month scholarship period, and other materials for executing a social awareness campaign.

The formal launching ceremony of the countrywide campaign, bannered “Somaj Pribortone Shikkharthi 2023,” was organized by the DUAA on Tuesday at the Senate Building of the university.

Chief Guest at the event and Secretary of the Government, ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, said, “Drug abuses are problems all over the world, so there is nothing to be disappointed about.

“People will listen when university students in their respective areas call for the elimination of social problems like drug abuse, child marriage, eve-teasing , and extremism,” Nuri added.

The ceremony was chaired by Anwar ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, the president of the DUAA.

Chair of the ceremony said the DUAA Social Awareness Scholarship is unique as it engages students in creating awareness and eliminating social diseases like drug abuse, terrorism, child marriage, and militancy.

“Through this programme, the student can fulfil his or her responsibility towards his or her area and, on the other hand, prepare himself or herself for leadership in the future by learning moral aspects of life,” he added.

The Secretary General of the DUAA, Mollah Abu Kawsar, said this is also a humanitarian initiative, and thus this activity should be spread throughout his country.

Former SG of the DUAA, Ranjan Karmakar, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s development activities can also be promoted across the country through this programme.

Students attending the campaign’s launching ceremony expressed gratitude for such scholarships, designed for social activities.

Adiba Saima Khan, a 2nd year student of the Dhaka University Sociology Department and a recipient of this scholarship, said she would design a campaign to eliminate social problems in her locality, Kishoreganj.

“This scholarship will help me continue my education, and I can play a role in the development of society simultaneously,” she added.

Sharif, a 3rd year student in the Bangla Department, said he sees some challenges in this work, but if the respective district administrations help us, we will not face any problems.

Anarul Islam from Gaibandha district said he would work to prevent child marriage and eliminate illegal drugs in his locality.