Nilima Rashed of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies was named champion, while Md. Naimul Islam Alok of the Department of Music finished as runner-up at the Dhaka University (DU) Faculty of Arts Literary and Cultural Competition 2026.
The award ceremony was held at the university’s RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium on Tuesday morning, October 13. Students from 10 departments participated in the competition.
DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam distributed prizes among the winners as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, dean of the Faculty of Arts, chaired the programme, while Professor Dr. Asha Islam Nayeem of the Department of History, who convened the competition, delivered the welcome address.
Addressing the event, the vice-chancellor said literature and culture help foster morality and creativity, while co-curricular activities play an important role in students’ mental development. He stressed the importance of enriching Bangladesh’s own culture and heritage and showcasing them internationally.
In his presidential address, Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar said co-curricular activities are essential to students’ intellectual and personal development. He said the Faculty of Arts was working to expand opportunities for literary and cultural activities, adding that continued initiatives of this kind would help nurture students’ creative talents and enrich the university’s cultural heritage.
In the individual events, Nilima Rashed secured first place in both recitation and acting. Md. Naimul Islam Alok won the Rabindra Sangeet category, Promiti Roy won Nazrul Sangeet, Md. Razzakul Islam Rabi took first place in folk music, Tanbi Sarkar won creative dance, and Mosammat Suraiya Afrin topped the quiz competition.
Abdullah Al Jawad won the Quran recitation event, while Muhammad Nazmul Hasan and Fariha Tasnim Hridi jointly secured first place in extempore speech.
In the team debate competition, the team led by Muhammad Nazmul Hasan of the Department of Arabic became champion. The team led by Md. Akib Mahmud of the Department of Linguistics finished as runner-up. Farhan Ahmad Tawseef of the Department of Arabic was named best speaker.
Teachers and students from various departments attended the programme, along with former Kishoreganj University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Dilip Kumar Barua. The prize distribution ceremony was followed by a cultural performance by students.
