Speakers, including writers, essayists, academics and a bureaucrat on Saturday said that the University Press Limited founder, Mohiuddin Ahmed, was a torchbearer who worked to establish knowledge-based society in Bangladesh by publishing quality and research-based books.
They also said that Mohiuddin also tried to introduce books penned by Bangladeshi writers in the global arena through publishing books in English language overcoming all odds.
The speakers made the observation at a commemorative programme on the life and works of Mohiuddin Ahmed held at the UPL office in the capital鈥檚 Green Road area marking his third anniversary of death.
Presenting the keynote speech at the event, noted researcher-essayist Mofidul Hoque said, 鈥楳ohiuddin Ahmed created an intellectual sphere centring the UPL, which was not created in the country鈥檚 universities. In one sentence, he was committed to the nation. He wanted to build the nation through publication.鈥�
He said that Mohiuddin not only improved the country鈥檚 publication standard but also created professionalism in the publishing industry.
鈥楳ohiuddin Bhai always tried to pick good things from a person,鈥� he added.
Publishing house The University Press Limited founder Mohiuddin Ahmed鈥檚 adviser Badiuddin Nazir said that Mohiuddin Ahmed never underestimated anyone, which was one of his greatest virtues.
鈥業t was beyond imagination to dream of publishing research books in English at a time when the country was struggling to get writers having good English language skills,鈥� he added
UPL managing director Mahrukh Mohiuddin said that Mohiuddin Ahmed always tried to teach that publication was not only a business but also a responsibility and they were following his ideals.
鈥榃e could have built a knowledge-based society if the environment had been conducive to us,鈥� she observed.
Bengal Foundation director general Luva Nahid Choudhury said that they would follow in footsteps of Mohiuddin Ahmed in the coming days.
Cultural secretary Khalil Ahmed said that affection for the UPL came for those books of the organisation.
Jatiya Grantha Kendro director Minar Monsur said, 鈥楳ohiuddin Ahmed will remain alive through his works and creation in the country鈥檚 publishing industry.鈥�
Kellley Lynch and Tanvir, authors of Postcards from Bangladesh, a book featuring writing and photographs, also spoke at the event and shared their experience of working with the UPL in publishing the book.
A documentary on the life and works of Mohiuddin Ahmed was also screened at the event.
Mohiuddin Ahmed was born on December 2, 1944, at Parshuram in Feni. After completing his studies at the mass communication and journalism department of Dhaka University, he also obtained a master鈥檚 degree in journalism from the University of Punjab in Lahore of Pakistan.
He died on June 22, 2021, at the age of 77 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka.
