Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Thursday urged young graduates to help at least two illiterate people to teach in their respective areas apart from practising mother language in a bid to show proper respect for language movement martyrs.

‘The great Ekushey February will be observed after two days…not only in the country but also across the world. Our Shaheed Dibash is now being observed as International Mother Language Day. As a nation we are proud of it,’ he said.

The President said this while addressing the 19th convocation of North South University (NSU) on its campus.

A total of 2130 students received degrees at the convocation while nine students were given gold medals for their outstanding performance.

Abdul Hamid said ‘I urge young graduates to help at least two illiterate people to literate in your own area every year apart from practising mother language. Only then, proper respect to be shown to language movement martyrs.’

Pointing at the graduates, the President, also the Chancellor of the university, said ‘You are the graduates of 21 century…you have received much more advantages comparing to your predecessors.’

He went on saying ‘The elements to change the society are now on the fist of your hands. We might have limited resources comparing to what we need. But we have human resources like you. The nation expects that you would represent Bangladesh in the world arena with your knowledge, merits and skills.’

Emphasising on quality education, he said that education will turn into certificate-based only if the quality of education is not ensured and hoped that all concerned including University Grants Commission would come forward with specific work-plan to ensure quality of education.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NSU MA Kashem, acting Vice-Chancellor of NSU Prof Dr Gour Gabinda Goswami spoke at the programme. Prof Rita R Colwell of University of Maryland of the USA delivered a speech as the convocation speaker.