SUST to include Bangabandhu’s 7 March speech in syllabus

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has decided to include the historic 7 March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the syllabus of all departments.

The decision was taken at the online meeting of the 160th Academic Council of the university on 13 September, said vice-chancellor professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, reports UNB.

According to sources, the meeting discussed in detail the High Court's directive and the education ministry's letter to include Bangabandhu’s historic speech in the textbooks at every level of the university.

With the consent of the members present at the meeting and discussion, it was decided to include the 7 March speech in the syllabus.

This speech will be taught as part of the course on history of Bangladesh’s emergence.

A six-member committee has been formed with Faisal Ahmed, dean of social science faculty, as convener to decide on the structure of the course and related matters including credit.

The members of the committee are professor Ashfaq Hossain, treasurer of Bangladesh Open University, professor Abu Md Delwar Hossain, arts faculty dean at Dhaka University, professor Laila Ashrafun, head of sociology department, professor Zaida Sharmin, head of the political studies department and Md Ashraful Karim, head of Bangla department at SUST.

SUST VC professor Farid Uddin Ahmed told UNB that as per the decision of the Ministry of Education and the directive of the High Court, the speech has been asked to be included in the curriculum of every educational institution.

“We have decided to include the speech in our curriculum for the first time among the universities of the country,” added the VC.

On 7 March 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalees, delivered his epoch-making speech of independence before a mammoth crowd at the historic Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka.

In his 19-minute extempore speech before a million freedom-loving people, Bangabandhu had made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement asking the nation to prepare for the war of independence to liberate the country from the exploitative Pakistan regime.

“The struggle this time is for freedom, the struggle this time is for independence, Joy Bangla,” Bangabandhu declared from the massive rally.

In 2017, UNESCO recognised the historic speech as a world documentary heritage.

On 25 February this year, The High Court directed the government to declare 7 March as the ‘National Historic Day’ and issue a gazette notification in this regard within a month.

The court also issued a rule asking why it shall not pass order to include 7 March speech in primary, secondary, intermediate and university curriculum.