BIRTH OF DUAFI

Birth of Dhaka University Alumni Forum Inc. (DUAFI)

In the late nineties, Dhaka University Graduates started coming to the greater Washington DC area (MD, VA, DC) in relatively good numbers. In 1998, a few Dhaka University (DU) graduates living around the Washington DC region, with endless memories, love, and passion for Dhaka University came together and formed an organized platform solely for DU graduates.

On April 25, 1998, the first reunion was held. The enthusiasm brought by the first reunion was enormous. Within two months of the first reunion, the graduates decided to hold a second reunion. Alumni of campus graduates continue to hold reunions in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 before forming Dhaka University Alumni Forum Inc (DUAFI) in 2012. There were souvenirs published at each reunion with different slogans/names, were rich in articles, poetry, reminiscences etc. In addition to these reunions, the graduates also organized picnics almost every year, arranged Boshonto Utshob, Boishakhi program, Ekushey program, published printed directory of graduates living in the Washington DC area, and put together cultural program ‘Nirmal Shongit Shondhya’ for the community. They also introduced scholarship for students studying at Dhaka University.

While there were many graduates who tirelessly worked for these reunions and some other activities, there was formal leadership by the following graduates as conveners, presidents, or interim conveners. Interim conveners were responsible for holding the election/selection process for the conveners and sometimes organized activities other than reunions.

Conveners/Presidents must have organized one or more reunions and some other activities.

Conveners/Presidents:

  1. Late Dr. Mohammed Shahhbuddin (Biochemistry)
  2. Late Dr. Mohammed Shahhbuddin (Biochemistry)
  3. Dr. Bashir Ahmed (Statistics)
  4. Dr. Afzal Chowdhury (Microbiology)
  5. Dr. Arifur Rahman (Biochemistry)
  6. Mrs. Hosne Jafrul (Soil Science)
  7. Dr. Shoaib Chowdhury (Biochemistry)
  8. Mr. Moeen Chowdhury (Public Administration)
  9. Late Mr. Shah Jahangir Biswas (Library Science)
  10. Mr. Shah Habibur Rahman (Commerce)

Interim Conveners:

  1. Mr. Mozharul Hoq (Physics)
  2. Mrs. Bulbul Islam (History)
  3. Dr. Rashidul Alam (Biochemistry)
  4. Mr. Anis Ahmed (Law)
  5. Mr. Raihan Ahmed (Social Welfare)

Upon the unwanted division of Dhaka University graduates into two groups – DUGA and DUG, there had been continuous calls for unification from graduates across the board. To meet the unprecedented demand, the Late Mr. Shah J. Biswas and Mr. Shah Habibur Rahman, the then president and convener of DUGA and DUG respectively, jointly signed a unification process in early 2012 that led to the formation of two transition teams headed by Dr. Afzal Chowdhury and Dr. Shoaib Chowdhury. The two teams, having unconditional support and encouragement from the Dhaka University graduates, spent numerous stressful hours together devising policies and procedures and crafting an ‘Article of Incorporation’ (AOI) for the creation of Dhaka University Alumni Forum Inc. (DUAFI) with renewed interest and enthusiasm. The first DUAFI Board of Directors assumed the office of DUAFI on June 9, 2012. All subsequent DUAFI Boards benefitted from continuous support and encouragement from the Dhaka University graduates to strengthen the platform to cherish our endless love, passion, and memories for Dhaka University. All DUAFI members are deeply indebted to the Late Mr. Shah J. Biswas, Mr. Shah Habibur Rahman, the transition team members, the constitution committee members, and the election commissioners (listed below).

Transition Team:

    Dr. Afzal Chowdhury (Team Leader)
    Mr. Anis Ahmed
    Dr. Atiqur Rahman
    Mrs. Sharmin Choudhury
    Dr. Mizanur Rahman
    Mrs. Shahnaz Faruque    		Dr. Shoaib Chowdhury (Team Leader)
    Mr. Raihan Ahmed
    Mr. Fazleh Chowdhury
    Mr. Shafi Delwar
    Mr. Mostafa Hossain
    Mr. Kamal Mostofa

    The constitution committee:

    1. Mr. Anis Ahmed
    2. Mr. Fazleh Chowdhury
    3. Dr. Shoaib Chowdhury
    4. Dr. Mizanur Rahman

    Election Commissioners:

    1. Mr. Anis Ahmed
    2. Late Mrs. Jahanara Ali
    3. Mr. Kamal Mostofa
    4. Dr. Arifur Rahman