President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged all political parties to promote those who have an early orientation in politics, as it is not right to become a politician overnight, reports UNB.

"I have been in politics for so many years … but if I want to be an assistant professor at Dhaka University today, can I? Many government bureaucrats, army officers, doctors, engineers want to get involved in politics after retirement ... but why? Now, all political parties should think about it seriously," he said.

The president was speaking at the 51st convocation of Dhaka University at the central playground on the campus.

"It is not right to try to be a politician overnight without early orientation … Those who are in politics since an early age should be given the opportunity to continue politics. There has been no qualitative change in politics, as professionals are making direct entry into politics,” he observed.

President Abdul Hamid is delivering speech at the 51st convocation of Dhaka University (DU) at its campus on October 6, 2018. Photo: PID

"Experts are needed. So, political parties can invite professionals as experts, but they shouldn't invite them for direct engagement in politics. There's no problem if anyone enters politics directly without taking up any job."

The president urged the political parties to ensure utmost professionalism in politics to bring a qualitative change, BSS reports.

“Only the politicians, who do politics since early years in their life, will do politics,” said the former speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.

About election to Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu), he said when there's a schedule for election, many calculations will come up. Myriad problems would be created for personal gains. Students must not be deprived of their right to elect their representatives.

The president, also the chancellor of DU, said the university will have to be quick about this so that no one can interfere in the Ducsu election.

He urged the new graduates to dedicate themselves to building a hunger- and poverty-free “Sonar Bangla” dreamt by Father of the Nation.

“You're the future of the nation. The nation will prosper under your leadership. You have to lead an ideal life,” BSS quoted him as saying.

He advised the students not to compromise on ethics and principles and to keep their conscience clear.

Comparing the student politics at present and in the past, he said that in the 60s it would be driven mainly by ideals and not dictated by interest of any individual or quarter.

National Professor Anisuzzaman delivered the convocation speech. A total of 21,111 graduates took part in the convocation. Of them, 72 received gold medals from the president.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, cabinet members, prime minister's adviser, members of parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, former and incumbent vice-chancellors of different universities, national professors, DU syndicate and senate members, among others, were present on the occasion.