Avoid terrorism naming politics: Prof Arefin Siddique

DHAKA, Dec 6: Politics existing at present in the country is not politics, it is terror activities in the name of politics. Torching vehicles or burning human beings naming hartal or blockade is fully undemocratic, it should be avoided. Those who are involved in such undemocratic activities should be identified and punished immediately, thinks Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique. Prof Siddique shared different issues including country’s education system and Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) election in an interview with the Risingbd. Tanzina Eva, a Staff Correspondent of risingbd.com interviewed him. Key points of the conversion are as follows:
 
Risingbd: How do you evaluate the country’s present education system?
 
Arefin Siddique: Education means total system of academic activities including primary, secondary, higher secondary, higher education, vocational, madrasa education etc. If we consider the total system of academic curriculum, we must say that the government is continuing to do the right direction in this connection, which was hardly absent in the education system after the War of Liberation. This is the first time the government has taken an education policy, which is being implemented in the country.
 
Though our students are acquiring A+ and Golden A+ but there is an absence of human dignity and honesty, which are very much essential to build up a wealthy nation. Such teaching should be implemented among our children from the primary level in the academic curriculum.
 
Risingbd: Some private educational institutions are being continued in small and limited scale. What is your view in this connection?
 
Arefin Siddique: It is true that private initiative is a must to extend the country’s education. Most of the educational institutions of the country were established in private initiatives for the welfare of the society. Now the situation changed, profit gets priority in setting up an educational institution. Now education is a kind of business in the country. It is a bad impact for our academic system.  
 
On the other hand, the cost expenditure in private institutions is so high that the poor students cannot afford this expenditure. The entrepreneurs should look after the issue and create low cost arrangement for poor and meritorious students in this connection. The doors of educational institutions should be kept open for all.
 
Risingbd: Now we discuss about textual curriculum. What kind of measure should be taken to modernise this?
 
Arefin Siddique: Look. There is no need to discover wheel again and again. Wheel is discovered only once, it is essential to know the use of technique. So, we should learn from those who have developed themselves using education.      
 
Developed academic system should be implemented in the primary level of the country’s textual curriculum. Language is no matter here – only content is enough. In this context, we have already taken initiatives. Life or job-oriented education is very essential to do the same. Our education policy is moving in this connection.
 
Risingbd: The standard of Dhaka University is lower than others in global level. What is the cause of it?
 
Arefin Siddique: Our budget facilities are less than the number of students. Though the university’s infrastructure development expenditure has been increased, but that is less than the requirement. Moreover, our students are doing well in the foreign universities.
 
Risingbd: The DUCSU election has not being held for long time. What is the cause of it?
 
Arefin Siddique: The DUCSU election is an important matter for the university’s students. We are doing necessary measures in this connection. We hope that the election will be held in a congenial atmosphere in future. It is a big barrier that many non-students are leading some student wings of political parties, and a large number of student leaders has completed their student lives. The DUCSU election will be meaningful when regular students will participate in the election.
 
Risingbd: Will you tell me about the present political situation?
 
Arefin Siddique: Existing politics in the country is not politics, it is terrorism. As opposition parties have right to call hartal or blockade, then a citizen has right to accept it or not. To torch vehicles or burn people naming hartal or blockade is undemocratic activities. Those who torch vehicles or burn people are not doing politics, they are doing terrorism.
 
Risingbd: What should be the role of media in this situation?                  
 
Arefin Siddique: Media and journalists are conscience of a nation. Only journalists can highlight the real picture of the society. They should unveil their facades who are continuing terror activities.
 
Risingbd: What is your plan about the University of Dhaka?
 
Arefin Siddique: After taking over the charge, I have taken some measures to do the total development of the university. The measures are continuing. So, we will do necessary steps to make the university’s students real citizens in this connection.
 
Risingbd: Thank you for giving us time.
 
Arefin Siddique: Thank you so much and wishes a bright future for Risingbd.

risingbd/BHM/Augustin Sujan