The National University (NU) has conferred the “Vice-Chancellor Award” on 57 meritorious students for outstanding academic results and distributed stipends among 4,921 underprivileged, marginalised, and special-needs students.

The honours and financial incentives were handed over to the recipients at a ceremony held at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in Segunbagicha in the capital today (15 September, 2026), according to a press release.

A total of 57 students from 37 colleges affiliated with the university won the Vice-Chancellor Award across undergraduate (pass), undergraduate (honours), and postgraduate levels for securing top results over six consecutive years from 2018 to 2023. Each awardee received a certificate of honour, a crest, and a cash incentive of Tk25,000, amounting to Tk14.25 lakh in total.

Besides, scholarships worth Tk2.95 crore were disbursed among 4,921 students selected from 1,525 colleges for 2024 and 2025. The recipients included economically disadvantaged, marginalized, and special-needs students, as well as meritorious students from families of those killed and injured in the July uprising. For 2025, Tk1.73 crore was distributed among 2,897 students from 830 colleges, while Tk1.21 crore was awarded to 2,024 students across 725 colleges for 2024, with each receiving Tk6,000.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milan said recognising meritorious students and supporting underprivileged youths would foster an inclusive and humane education system.

Calling for stronger monitoring of affiliated colleges, the minister said: “The National University is responsible for a major segment of the country’s higher education. Improving the quality of education at the university and its affiliated institutions will bring positive changes to the overall education sector.”

Milan instructed authorities to ensure regular inspections, academic evaluations, and financial audits across colleges. He also emphasised introducing skill-based curricula aligned with job market realities, boosting teacher training, and modernising examination evaluation systems with higher accountability.

“Budget will not be a barrier to implementing initiatives necessary for educational advancement,” he said, adding that the government will consider realistic and effective proposals positively, including plans to upgrade college laboratories.

He further urged the university authorities to adopt examination reforms, expand online services, and utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the institution into a model university. He also directed the administration to enforce strict discipline and exemplary penalties for malpractice in professional examinations, including law.

Secretary to the Secondary and Higher Education Division Abdul Khaleq attended the event as the special guest. He noted that although multimedia classrooms have faced disruptions due to power issues, solar power installations are currently underway across educational institutions to ensure seamless digital learning.

Presiding over the ceremony, Vice-Chancellor of National University Professor Dr ASM Amanullah said standing by students facing financial and social barriers is the moral obligation of the institution.

Highlighting ongoing institutional reforms, Amanullah said the university has achieved stability and is now prioritising academic quality. He noted that work is underway to reform curricula and roll out market-oriented, skill-based courses by late 2027.

He added that third-language learning programmes have already been introduced, while memoranda of understanding have been signed with 150 domestic and international institutions to prepare students for global challenges. He also said installing solar panels across affiliated colleges would alleviate local energy strains and allow surplus power to be fed into the national grid free of cost.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Lutfor Rahman delivered the welcome address. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nazmul Hossain, and Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel were also present on the occasion.