President Zillur Rahman yesterday asked the authorities concerned to ensure the standard of education so that students could prove their worth in international competitions.

“I urge all concerned to be careful while formulating curricula so that those are not confined only to textbooks.’ he said.

The president was addressing the first convocation of Stamford University at ' Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC).

Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr Serajul Islam Chowdhury delivered the convocation speech at the function.

Education Adviser to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed, chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam, president of Board of Trustee of the Stamford University Prof Dr MA Hannan Firoz and Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Dr Majibur Rahman also addressed the programme.

The president, also the chancellor of the university, said universities are the highest seats of learning where practice of free thinking and various aspects of development are discussed alongside education and research. “So.

the role of universities is of paramount important in this regard. ’

Zillur emphasised the importance of having a science-oriented generation at the present era of information technology.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas declared 'charter of change’, he said it

would be implemented with sincere efforts of all. "Inshallah, we ll see a prosperous Bangladesh by 2021,” he said.

Zillur congratulated the new graduates and advised them not to forget the county and its people during their professional life, no matter where they will be.

''Always strict to truth and justice, give priority to the interest of the country and the nation," he exhorted the new graduates.

Some 1190 students were conferred degrees at the convocation and of them six students awarded Chancellor's Award for their outstanding performance.