Notre Dame College (Dhaka) celebrates 75 years

The missionary institute is run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross. For three days, meetings and activities were held with students and the Christian community. About 90 per cent of the student body is made up of non-Christians. For Archbishop Kevin Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, “One can see the [college’s] effects in civil society in Bangladesh”.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Notre Dame College (NDC), the most important missionary college in Bangladesh, celebrated the 75th anniversary since its foundation at the Motijheel campus in Dhaka. Activities were held from 25 to 27 January, with the participation of current students, alumni, and the Christian community.

The college, run by the missionaries of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, was founded to provide quality education at the university level, and contribute to the country’s development.

Since its inception, the focus was on the educational needs of students, as well as the economic challenges faced by those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Nazrul Islam, who graduated in 1990, expressed his gratitude to the institute. "If I have a job today, it is thanks to the good education at Notre Dame College," he said. Originally from Chittagong, he now works as a managing director at a private company.

About 90 per cent of the students currently enrolled are non-Christians from across the country.

Over the past 75 years, NDC has trained many successful individuals, including cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, military chiefs, economists, singers, lawyers, scientists, doctors, and athletes.

NDC principal Fr Hemanto Pius Rozario welcomed participants in the celebrations, emphasising the college’s commitment to the ideals of social justice.

He noted that the school’s mission is to instil in students a love of God, country, and wisdom, citing the initial contributions of the Missionaries of the Holy Cross from the United States, as well as the hardships of the first principals, such as Fr Harrington and Fr James Martin, who faced several challenges in establishing the institute in Dhaka.

Prof ASM Maqsud Kamal, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, praised Notre Dame College as a "centre of excellence”, recognising its alumni’s contribution to the country's progress.

Archbishop Kevin Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, was guest of honour; he praised the college for promoting a culture of dialogue and cooperation in accordance with the guidelines of the Dicastery for Catholic Education.

“One can see the effects in civil society in Bangladesh where many graduates are duly employed and are making a better country for themselves and for the common good,” said the archbishop. “This why Notre Dame in Dhaka is such a successful educational institution.”

The Superior General of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Br Paul Brdnarczyk, and Archbishop Bejoy N D'Cruze of Dhaka, who chairs the Governing Body of Notre Dame College, gave speeches of appreciation.

Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country. Catholics number around half a million, running a university, 17 colleges and 500 schools.

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• notre dame college
• anniversary
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