Nineteen meritorious students of Islamic University (IU) have been honoured after being recommended for appointment as Civil Judges in the 18th Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) examination.

The felicitation ceremony was organised by the university’s Faculty of Law at Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium around 11:00 am on Sunday (October 25).

The programme was chaired by Professor Dr. Muhammad Nazimuddin, Dean of the Faculty of Law. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. K. M. Matinur Rahman attended as the chief guest. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Emtaz Hossain, Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Idris Ali and Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Atikur Rahman attended as special guests. Teachers and students from different departments of the Faculty of Law were also present.

Addressing the programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. K. M. Matinur Rahman said, “The Almighty is the best planner. Those who have been recommended today have been chosen, through the Almighty’s plan, to shoulder this responsibility. Whatever position we hold, we have a duty to remain accountable to the Almighty and committed to the country and its people while carrying out our responsibilities.”

Referring to Plato’s concept of justice, he said justice means giving everyone what they are entitled to according to their merit. Judges must give due importance to this principle while performing their duties and should act on the basis of conscience and morality. He added that everyone would ultimately be accountable to the Almighty beyond their worldly responsibilities.

Speaking about the country’s judicial system, the Vice-Chancellor said the judiciary could play an important role in transforming Bangladesh into a welfare state. However, many laws in the country still bear the characteristics of the colonial era. As legal education is a multidisciplinary field, graduates have opportunities to pursue careers in various professions at home and abroad.

He also reminded the students that public universities are run with the hard-earned money of ordinary people, including farmers, workers and labourers. Therefore, students should remember the contribution of ordinary citizens to their education and opportunities, and maintain a sense of responsibility towards them while serving as judges.

Addressing the students, he said that failing to secure a position in a preferred profession did not mean the end of one’s prospects. Law graduates have opportunities to establish themselves in various fields. He urged them not to become discouraged if they failed to achieve a particular goal, but instead to make use of alternative opportunities.