Known for his sharp sense of humour, President Abdul Hamid yesterday hilariously shared the ‘shortcomings’ of his academic life sending the audience into laughter, reports UNB.“What a wish of the Almighty! I’ve come to the University as its chancellor where I didn’t even have the opportunity to get admitted to. But, today I’m not only its chancellor but that of all the public and private universities of the country,” a smiling president said with cheers coming from all corners of audience. President Hamid took back his huge audience to the real history of his long, colorful and struggling life through
his informal speech at the 50th Convocation of Dhaka University, the country’s highest seat of learning, on its campus. Hamid captivated the audience with his powerful sense of humour alongside conveying key messages to the students and their leaders what they actually need today to help improve student politics.
With little hesitation, the president revealed that he obtained simply ‘third division’ in matriculation. “It comes to me as surprise now I’m the chancellor of the Dhaka University.”
“Forget about admission (to DU), I was not even given the admission form,” President Hamid recalled.
He said he used to come to Dhaka and Dhaka University campus frequently as he was very active in each political movement. “I used to stay in various halls. There’s no hall (of DU) where I didn’t stay or get into. However, I didn’t enter Rokeya Hall. There was no such scope. But, I roamed around Rokey Hall for sure,” the hilarious president said.
The president also freely recalled that he had a desire to wear a convocation dress with his friends but the opportunity did not come for him.
Requesting the DU vice-chancellor to hold its future convocations during winter, the president said he suffers a lot at the convocation due to hot temperature since he has to wear a synthetic cap and gown which restricts air flow. About the delay in obtaining his graduation, the President said it is true he was not a good student but his graduation got delayed not for that but for jailing by the regime at that time. “I was sent to jail twice before my BA examinations. So, I couldn’t sit for my examinations.” “My family members frequently asked me when I would actually be able to pass BA. At that time, there was a huge movement against Ayub Khan and Monem Khan. Speaking at a grand rally in Kishoreganj, I announced that I would not sit for BA exam until Ayub Khan was out of power,” he said adding that he finally passed BA in 1969. The president’s history-driven informal speech and openness went viral on social viral earning him a special place in people’s hearts across country. His recent speeches at various functions in the country also gained popularity.