Nilima crowned champion, Alok runner-up in DU Arts Faculty cultural competition

The award ceremony for the Dhaka University (DU) Faculty of Arts Literary and Cultural Competition 2026 was held at the university’s RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium on Tuesday.

Nilima Rashed of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies was named champion, while Md Naimul Islam Alok of the Department of Music became runner-up. Students from 10 departments participated in the competition, according to a press release.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam distributed prizes to the winners as the chief guest. Prof Md Abul Kalam Sarkar, dean of the Faculty of Arts, chaired the programme. 

Prof Asha Islam Nayeem of the Department of History and convener of the competition delivered the welcome address.

In his speech, the vice-chancellor said literature and culture foster morality and creativity, while co-curricular activities play an important role in students’ mental development. 

He stressed the need to enrich and showcase the country’s own culture and heritage internationally.

Prof Abul Kalam said co-curricular activities are vital to the intellectual and personal development of students, while the Faculty of Arts is working to expand opportunities for literary and cultural activities. 

He added that continuing such initiatives would help nurture students’ creative talents and enrich the university’s cultural heritage.

In individual events, Nilima Rashed secured first place in recitation and acting; Naimul Islam Alok in Rabindra Sangeet; Promiti Roy in Nazrul Sangeet; Md Razzakul Islam Rabi in folk music; Tanbi Sarkar in creative dance; and Mosammat Suraiya Afrin in 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 debate, the team led by Muhammad Nazmul Hasan of the Department of Arabic became champion, while 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 the best speaker.

Teachers and students from different departments, along with former Kishoreganj University VC Prof Dilip Kumar Barua, attended the programme. 

A cultural performance by students followed the prize distribution.