President Zillur Rahman Monday said quality education must be ensured at all universities to enable the students to compete in the global competition, reports BSS.

"I urge all concerned to see to it that the curriculum of the universities is not confined to only book-based education."

The President made the observation while speaking as the chief guest at the first convocation of Stamford University at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city Monday.

A total of 1,190 students were conferred undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the convocation. Six meritorious students were awarded the Chancellor's Award for their outstanding performances.

Terming the universities as the highest institutions of acquiring knowledge, the President said exercising progressive thoughts, different aspects of social development are also discussed at the universities side by side with education and research.

"We must build a science-oriented generation in the present era of information technology," said the President, who is also Chancellor of the University.

Referring to the 'charter for change', announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said: "I firmly believe that the charter will be implemented with the sincere efforts of all and we will see a prosperous Bangladesh by 2021."

Congratulating the new graduates, the President urged them to always give priority to the interest of the country and the nation during their professional life in the future.

"Never forget your county and its people wherever you are in your professional life. Always stick to truth and justice," he said.

Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury gave the convocation speech.

Education Adviser to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed, Chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam, President of Board of Trustees of Stamford University Prof Dr MA Hannan Firoz and Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Dr Majibur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Alauddin urged the new graduates to work with their skill and knowledge to help the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build a 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2021.