Commemorations held at the Bangladesh Maritime University for the July Mass Uprising day
Bangladesh Maritime University Commemorates July Mass Uprising Day
The Bangladesh Maritime University marked the July Mass Uprising Day 2025 with a solemn event, honouring those who participated in the significant 2024 student-led uprising that brought an end to over 15 years of autocratic rule.
The event, held at the auditorium of the university's temporary campus in Dhaka, included various activities such as film screenings, documentaries, and contests to honour the participants. The program was organised by the university's photography club, with a photo exhibition, video documentary, and a photo and art contest being the highlights.
Rear Admiral Dr Khandakar Akhter Hossain, NUP, ndc, psc, PhD, served as the chief guest at the event. In his address, he paid tribute to the student martyrs and those injured during the July Uprising, and emphasized the need to prepare university students to become skilled professionals in the maritime sector, both at home and abroad.
He urged students to become proficient in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, smart technology, webpage design, ChatGPT, graphics design, robotics, and drones. He also encouraged students to enhance their competencies by learning languages such as English, Chinese, and Japanese, as well as practical skills like driving and swimming.
The chief guest did not mention any new activities or programs in his address, nor did he announce any new honors or prizes. However, he did stress the importance of preventing corruption and achieving academic accreditation.
Wounded frontline students who had directly participated in the July Uprising were honoured during the event. The treasurer, registrar, deans, faculty members, officers, employees, students, and those injured during the July Uprising attended the event.
The July Mass Uprising Day is significant as it marks the anniversary of a 2024 student-led mass uprising that led to the fall of the authoritarian Hasina government. It represents a profound popular rejection of misrule, oppression, and erosion of democratic rights, and symbolizes the people's demand for democracy, justice, and accountable governance.
The day, officially declared a public holiday from 2025, is commemorated with a series of national and grassroots activities lasting from July 1 to August 5. Given the official guidelines, it is highly likely that Bangladesh Maritime University conducted similar commemorations in 2025, involving students and faculty to honour the uprising’s sacrifices, spread awareness about its democratic ideals, and participate in cultural or educational programs aligned with the national observances.
In the spirit of lifelong learning and self-development, the Bangladesh Maritime University also incorporated online education in its July Mass Uprising Day commemorations, offering courses on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and chatbots like ChatGPT. Additionally, the university encouraged students to expand their horizons through language learning, including studying Chinese and Japanese, and emphasized the importance of practical skills like driving and swimming as part of their education-and-self-development.
