A human chain was held at the University of Chittagong (CU) on Monday demanding that one of the university's residential halls be named after A.K.M. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, a prominent political leader, former Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, Acting President of Pakistan, and a key figure in the establishment of the University of Chittagong.
The programme, organised under the banner of "Students and Guardians," took place at the university's Zero Point at around 11:30 a.m. It was moderated by politician and social worker Mohammad Ali Sumon. The chief guest was Abu Zafar Chowdhury, former President of the Chattogram District Teachers' Association.
Among those who addressed the gathering were politician Saber Sultan Kajol, social workers Mozammel Haque and Syed Md. Touhidul Alam, along with Sohel Chowdhury, Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, politician Md. Hossain, Jibon Khondkar, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, student leaders Naim, Minhaj Uddin, Yasin Uddin Masud, Mohammad Farhad Khondkar, Jahedul Alam, Tousif Chowdhury, Sakib Chowdhury, Russell Al Samir, Arman, social worker Tanvir Parvez Chayon, Yakub Uddin Arif, Ripon, Saimon, Aymon, student leader Arman Khondkar Simon, Abu Sajid Riyan, and Saiful. The programme was also attended by students, guardians, political figures, and members of civil society.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, while serving as Pakistan's Central Minister of Education in 1962, formally initiated the establishment of a university in Chattogram. They further stated that on December 12, 1963, as Acting President, he directed the relocation of the proposed university from Cumilla to Chattogram during a cabinet meeting. According to the speakers, the National Economic Council, under his chairmanship, approved funding for the project on March 9, 1964. President Ayub Khan later laid the foundation stone on August 29, 1964, and the University of Chittagong officially began its academic journey on November 18, 1966.
The speakers urged the university authorities to name a residential hall after A.K.M. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury before this year's University Day, observed on November 18, saying the move would honour his contribution and help preserve the historical record of the university's founding for future generations.
Following the human chain, a memorandum outlining the demand was submitted to Professor Mohammad Al Forkan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chittagong.
