National University has launched the “Dr Sukumar Ray Merit Scholarship” for students of its Bangla Department in memory of late Associate Professor Dr Sukumar Ray.

The family of Dr Sukumar Ray has provided Tk10 lakh to establish the scholarship fund to encourage Bangla Department students.

The dividend from the fund will be used every year to award scholarships to two students who achieve the best results in the master’s programme of the Bangla Department.

One student securing the best result in National University’s on-campus master’s programme and another student securing the best result among affiliated colleges of National University will receive the “Dr Sukumar Ray Merit Scholarship”.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the donor of the “Dr Sukumar Ray Merit Scholarship” fund and National University on Thursday (18 June) at the university campus.

National University Vice-Chancellor and Convener of the “Dr Sukumar Ray Merit Scholarship” fund Professor Dr ASM Amanullah and Rita Brahma, wife of late Dr Sukumar Ray, signed the memorandum.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr ASM Amanullah said the initiative taken by Dr Sukumar Ray’s family is highly commendable.

He said the scholarship would encourage students to pursue higher education and achieve better academic results.

The vice-chancellor also called on others to come forward with similar education-support initiatives.

Professor Dr ATM Zafrul Azam, treasurer of National University and member of the “Dr Sukumar Ray Merit Scholarship” fund; Registrar Molla Mahfuz Al-Hossen; Dr Syed Hadiuzzaman, member secretary of the fund and chairman of the Faculty of Humanities and Law; Bangla Department teacher Imon Salauddin; and Sudip Brahma Ray, son of late Dr Sukumar Ray, were present.

Dr Sukumar Ray, a noted researcher and teacher, died from Covid-19 on 7 July 2021.