In recognition of the glorious role of the youth in the July Uprising, the National University has decided to provide “July Martyr Memorial Scholarship” every year.
On Tuesday (July 01, 2025), after inaugurating the month-long program on the anniversary of the July Uprising, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus handed over the “July Martyr Memorial Scholarship” checks to three students of the National University.
Under this scholarship, one-time assistance will be provided to meritorious students with special needs, marginalized and disadvantaged students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of various colleges and institutes affiliated to the university.
This year, 2,040 students from 725 institutions will receive this scholarship. The National University is the guardian institution of about 2,150 colleges and 4 million students in the country.
32 students of the National University were martyred in the July Uprising.
The students who received the scholarships from the Chief Advisor are Habiba Akhter, a student of Siddheshwari Girls College affiliated to the National University, SM Abu Taleb, a student of Tejgaon Government College, and Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan, a student of Dhaka Commerce College.
At the scholarship distribution ceremony, Education Advisor CR Abrar said, a year ago, the youth of Bangladesh initiated a glorious chapter in the country’s history. As a result of that historic uprising, we, the entire nation, have been able to transform from disenfranchised subjects to newly empowered citizens.
He said, after the July Uprising, the great responsibility of transforming the state from an individual-centric, isolated and repressive institution into a sensitive and accountable institution run by their elected representatives for the well-being of the people has fallen on the shoulders of the current government.
“We need to build a system, restructure state institutions in such a way that dictatorship can never rise again in this country in the future. Therefore, on this day of the July Uprising, we commemorate that national aspiration with respect,” he said.
During their nearly 15-year rule, especially in the last decade, those in power have illegally ruled the people and taken away all civil rights, including freedom of expression, he said. “They have introduced a culture of disappearances, extrajudicial killings and oppression, and have imprisoned citizens without trial for years. They have weakened important institutions of the state, including parliament, the judiciary, and the Election Commission.”
He said, “They have staged one election after another, a farce. They have even committed crimes against humanity by using state and party forces to suppress the student-public movement in the last stage. We have been able to start the difficult but necessary work of bringing those members of the fallen government and their associates to justice.”
“And education has a huge role to play in building that new Bangladesh. There is no alternative to education in eliminating discrimination and bringing equality in society. Even within a limited time, this government is working for qualitative change in the education sector. We are committed to building an education system where people from all walks of life—from children to the marginalized communities—can participate in the practice of knowledge, justice, and morality,” he said.
He said, the July Uprising has not only given us a new country, but also shown us new dreams. Education will prepare our youth to lead not only this country but also on the world stage.
At the check-giving ceremony, National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ASM Amanullah, Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Dr. Lutfar Rahman and Treasurer Professor Dr. ATM Zafrul Azam.
