On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the orientation program for batch 24 was held at Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) with the call to develop ideals, quality education, and good citizenship with the firm conviction to evolve in corporate challenges.
The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Fr. Patrick Daniel Gaffney, CSC, presided over the freshman reception. The former prof. of the English Department of Dhaka University, Kaiser Haq, was the chief guest at the reception. At this time, the Registrar of the university, Dr. Fr. Leonard Shankar Rozario, was also present. Moreover, various faculty members, administrative bodies, academics, staff members, and freshers with their parents were present in the NDUB open space.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the University Vice-Chancellor and the Chief Guest hoisted the National and University flags while the students sang the national anthem. After that, the freshers and the guests were greeted with flowers.
The Vice-Chancellor warmly congratulated the new students in his welcome address. He said, “Orientation is a platform to enlighten, inspire, and inform you as a student of NDUB. The university is a place to discover yourself; Here, you get four years to shape your future. I would request that you make proper use of these four years to help build your life, society, and a sustainable country.”
Following Father Patrick’s speech, a documentary on the university prepared by the Public Relations office was screened.
The chief guest, Prof. Kaiser Haq, greeted and applauded all the students, saying, “The history of Notre Dame goes back a long time. My father was intricately involved in this tradition and education. I grew up listening to him share his thoughts about Notre Dame. I was a missionary school student. I am delighted to know that Notre Dame has started a university and is directly affiliated with the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. I am optimistic that Notre Dame University Bangladesh will make an exceptional contribution to research-based course curricula and higher education. I believe Notre Dame will implement this.”
All faculty members were introduced by the NDUB Registrar, Dr. Fr. Leonard Shankar Rozario, CSC. The Deputy Registrar of NDUB, Fr. Ashim Theotonius Gonsalves, CSC, briefed the first-year students on the functions of the Registrar’s Office. After that, Fr. Boniface Tolentino, CSC, the deputy exam controller, discussed the exam office’s activities. Fr. Thomas McDermott, CSC, the director of the NDUB Language Center, then explained the unique services and activities of the Center.
The NDUB Assistant Accountant, Ms. Annie Gomez, gave a brief overview of the activities of the accounts office. Through a video presentation, the NDUB Proctor, Fr. Lawrence N. Das, CSC, outlined the university’s student code of conduct. Fr. Nitto Ekka, CSC, the Assistant Registrar, also discussed club activities; student counselor Dr. Sr. Mary Henrietta Gomez, SMRA, emphasized the importance of counseling.
Benjamin Laba Kampu, a BBA student, expressed his experience at the university with first-year students. Later on, Fatima Sultana Rafia, another student, highlighted the reasons, feelings, and expectations for choosing NDUB for higher education. The second segment of the orientation program featured engaging cultural programs delivered by the students. The Registrar finally concluded the event by thanking everyone.
Notably, Notre Dame University Bangladesh started academic activities on its campus on December 2, 2014, after receiving approval from the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UGC on April 29, 2013.
Good luck to Notre Dame University Bangladesh. Let this school become the heart of higher education. May the campus be full of dear students. May the reputation of Notre Dame University Bangladesh spread across the world in higher education. Such is the expectation of all those associated with the university at the reception ceremony for the 24th batch of fresh students.
