Good grades not enough; students must be 'Masterpieces' in skill: Prof. Dr. Asif Mizan

Prof. Dr. Asif Mizan, Vice-Chancellor of Daaru Salaam University in Somalia, said, good academic results alone are not enough; students must strive to become 'masterpieces' in their chosen fields of expertise.

The professor said, “Smartphones should be transformed into powerful tools for exploring the world, acquiring knowledge, and mastering skills. Furthermore, students must locate suitable platforms to market their acquired expertise at its true value.”

Prof. Dr. Asif Mizan, Vice-Chancellor of Daaru Salaam University in Somalia and an analyst in international politics, human rights, and crime, made these remarks as the key speaker at the 'Kamil Cultural Festival 2026', held on July 30 at Sharifbag Islamia Kamil Madrasa in Dhamrai.

The festival, which turned into a vibrant confluence of talent, intellect, and Islamic culture, featured Hon’ble Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-20 constituency, Alhajj Md. Tamiz Uddin, as the chief guest. The event was presided over by the Principal of the madrasah, Prof. Dr. Faizul Amin Sarker Madani.

Senior Joint General Secretary of Dhaka District BNP and General Secretary of Dhamrai Thana BNP, Md. Shamsul Islam, alongside former Principal of Dhamrai Government College, Md. Amin Uddin, addressed the gathering as special guests.

In his speech, Md. Shamsul Islam noted, “Islamic cultural festivals not only enrich students' knowledge but also play a vital role in keeping them drug-free, engaging them in constructive activities, and motivating them to focus more on their studies.”

Highlighting the importance of deep dedication to academic pursuits, former Principal Md. Amin Uddin reflected, “In our time, we used to carry large textbooks to madrasahs wrapped in traditional cloth towels (gamcha). Today, however, a gap in expected knowledge is often observed even among students with good grades.” He urged students to look beyond conventional academic scores and foster a genuine passion for learning and true scholarship.

Concluding the event, the festival president and Principal, Prof. Dr. Faizul Amin Sarker Madani, expressed his sincere gratitude and thanks to the invited guests, faculty, students, and parents for making the celebration a success.

The enthusiastic participation of local dignitaries and captivating cultural performances by the students elevated the event to new heights. Key speaker Prof. Dr. Asif Mizan commended the madrasa authorities, particularly the worthy Principal and organizers, for delivering such a well-organized and aesthetically pleasing event.