BANGLADESH The only Catholic university in Bangladesh celebrates its 10th anniversary

The University of Notre Dame was founded by the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Dhaka and Mymensingh schools are also considered among the best in the country. Numerous alumni of various religious denominations were present at the anniversary celebration.

Dhaka () – The only Catholic university in Bangladesh, the University of Notre Dame (NDUB), founded in 2013 by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. “It is a very significant date for us. The family of Notre Dame in Bangladesh wanted to support higher education and we did it with the university. We can say that we have provided an education that is different from other universities,” Father Adan Subash told . Pereira, treasurer of the NDUB. The priest of the Holy Cross explained that in Bangladesh there are 45 public universities and 111 private ones. Dhaka and Mymensingh colleges are also among the best educational institutions in the country, offering a first class upper secondary education. “In addition to the academic courses, we also provide university students with a strong education in values”, highlighted Fr. Pereira. There are currently 12 programs in 5 different faculties attended by 1,250 students, but the Santa Cruz congregation has plans to expand the university building to accommodate 7,000 students.

The ceremony took place on April 29 and was attended by many NDUB alumni: “The University of Notre Dame has provided me with professional skills that have enabled me to have a successful career. But I have also gained the awareness necessary to work in today’s global community. Our teachers guided me well,” Catherine Gomes, 26, a deputy judge at the Joypurhat District Court and a former student of NDUB, told , who completed her law studies in 2018. According to Gomes, the institution It has some peculiarities: “It is a very disciplined university. There is a pleasant atmosphere, the professors are very sincere with the students and they helped me in my career”, explained the young Catholic, congratulating the university for the achievements: “I congratulate my university and I wish him the best.

Rumpa Neogi, a Muslim, is now doing a PhD at St. Xavier’s University in Kolkata, India. She tells that the NDUB allowed her to work in the human resources sector of two different banks before continuing her studies. She is in Dhaka for the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, the party that closes the month of Ramadan: “NDUB professors are very available and helped me with advice to enroll in the doctorate. I am very grateful to my professors,” she said Neogi.

In addition to academic classes, when he attended the University he also participated in extracurricular activities, such as the debate club. “I was part of the organizing group,” she added. “Here I received the best training. That is why I advised my relatives to enroll in this university as well.”

Christians in Bangladesh are 0.3% of the population, but they are very present in the educational field and run prestigious institutes that Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists generally want to enter. The current president of the Chamber, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and the education minister, Dipu Moni, for example, are alumnae of Holy Cross College in Dhaka, a women’s college founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.