Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged views with Dhaka University (DU) students at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium in the Social Sciences Faculty on campus today. Photo: Video Screenshot

DHAKA, May 12, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon the students to play active role in forging stabled political environment to move the country forward.

The premier made the call while exchanging views with Dhaka University (DU) students at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium at the Social Sciences Faculty on the campus here this noon.

Tarique Rahman also urged students to learn a third language in addition to Bangla and English so that they can avail employment opportunities in different countries across the world.

Around 156 students took part in the event.

At the programme, the Prime Minister responded to different questions from the students regarding various government plans and initiatives.

Replying to a question from Kaberi Azad, a master’s student of the Department of Drawing and Painting, Tarique Rahman said political stability is essential for building institutions and ensuring sustainable national development.

People expect rapid change and development, but everything has to be built gradually within a stable environment, he added.

“For that, a stable environment is necessary, and I believe every student can play an important role in this regard,” the premier said, urging the students to build public opinion gradually in this regard through social media or any other platforms.

“It is natural that the political parties will engage in politics. However, the main center of politics should be parliament. We have done many things through street politics. But now stability must come. Politics should move to parliament. Nothing can be built simply through street agitation,” he said.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of discussion, dialogue and thoughtful decision-making to build the country.

“To build something, stability is essential. Discussion is necessary. We must think carefully before taking action. We need your (university students) cooperation in this regard because the future is yours. You have to be strong on these issues and be vocal in protest when necessary,” Tarique Rahman said, addressing the DU students.

Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a daylong national workshop at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the DU campus this morning.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) organised the workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence” with the aim of making the country’s higher education system more modern, inclusive and sustainable.
 

Speaking about one of the government’s initiatives, the Prime Minister said the government is taking schoolchildren to parliament so that they can learn about the country’s democratic institutions.

Sharing his own experience of visiting the British Parliament, Tarique Rahman said he had wished to create a similar system in Bangladesh if he got the opportunity to run the government.

“By the grace of Allah, I have been able to start it. Currently, children from schools in Dhaka are visiting. Gradually, students from other districts will also be brought to witness parliament sessions, learn its history and understand its legacy,” he said.

At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister recalled returning to Dhaka University after 35 years, saying, “Seeing all of you makes me feel like I have gone back 35 years”.

He also encouraged students to think not only about what Bangladesh can do for them, but what they can do for Bangladesh.

Replying to another question from Mobashsheruzzaman Hasan, a postgraduate student of Islamic History and Culture, regarding seat shortages in dormitories and libraries in the university, employment opportunities, and irregularities in government recruitment, the premier acknowledged that accommodation crisis exist not only at DU but in many universities across the country.

Referring to corruption and misuse of public resources in previous years after 2008, including large-scale financial irregularities in major development projects, he highlighted the unprecedented corruption at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the pillow scandal, and various forms of money laundering.

He said that if billions of dollars had not been siphoned abroad over the years, many student problems, including accommodation and library, could have been addressed.

While “zero tolerance” against corruption is an ideal goal, changing long-established, the premier said his government is making its efforts to curb corruption.

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