Photo: BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Nov 10, 2025 (BSS) - On the 109th anniversary of the historic 
Carmichael College, the entire campus has been transformed into a vibrant 
festival and reunion fair for the institution's current and former teachers 
and students. 
 
Hundreds of young and old teachers and students began gathering at the 
college, one of the country's oldest educational institutions, in a festive 
atmosphere from the morning, to celebrate the occasion with two-day colorful 
programmes.
 
On the occasion of the foundation anniversary, the college campus has been 
decorated with lights and the heritage buildings cleaned.
 
The celebrations on the first day of the 109th anniversary of the glorious 
journey today began with a colorful procession, discussion meeting, 
remembrances, cake cutting and a pleasant cultural programme. 
 
The day-long events began at 10 am on Monday with the hoisting of the flag at 
the GL (Gopal Lal) Hostel ground of the college campus, surrounded by sight-
beholding greenery. 
 
Former Principal of the college, Professor Dr Muhammad Rezaul Haq, 
inaugurated the programme by releasing balloons and pigeons as the chief 
guest. 
 
Later, a colorful procession, with the participation of hundreds of teachers 
and students of all ages of the institution circled the college campus. 
 
After participating the rally, former and incumbent teachers and students, 
along with well-wishers, enjoyed the discussion cake cutting and cultural 
programme organised marking the 109th anniversary.
 
Incumbent Principal of Carmichael College Prof Md Mostafizur Rahman presided 
over the programme.
 
Rangpur Government Teachers' Training College Principal Prof Md Amjad 
Hossain, Government Begum Rokeya College Principal Prof Md Ismail Hossain 
Sarkar, Government City College Principal Prof Md Borhan Uddin, Carmichael 
College Vice-principal Prof Md Habibur Rahman, Secretary of the College 
Teachers' Council Prof Dilip Kumar Roy were present as special guests. 
 
After the discussions, cultural organisations rendered colorful programmes 
featuring songs, dances, recitations and debates and acting enthralling 
thousands of former and incumbent students and teachers of the institution.
 
Talking to BSS, Convener of the 109th Foundation Anniversary Celebration 
Committee Prof Dr Md Saifur Rahman said that Carmichael College is a history 
that has witnessed various contexts including British rule, Pakistani 
exploitation and the movement and struggle for the creation of Bangladesh. 
 
"The glory and achievements of Carmichael College in its hundred years are 
unforgettable. The entire campus has become a gathering place for young and 
old teachers and students to celebrate the foundation anniversary," he said. 
 
He also said that on the concluding day tomorrow (November 11) of this two-
day event, Rangpur Range DIG of Bangladesh Police Aminul Islam, Rangpur 
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali and other dignitaries will be 
present as guests. 
 
The then Governor Lord Thomas David Baron Carmichael of undivided Bengal 
visited Rangpur in 1913, when the demand for the establishment of the college 
was raised in his reception ceremony. 
 
Later, the Governor laid the foundation stone of Carmichael College on 
November 10, 1916. The college was named Carmichael College after him. 
 
Carmichael College was built on 900 acres of land donated by the landlords 
and education enthusiasts of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and 
Gaibandha districts. 
 
This educational institution affiliated with the National University (NU) 
currently has about 30,000 students studying in 19 departments at higher 
secondary, degree, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 
 
During the British colonial era, this educational institution had a glorious 
history in providing higher education opportunities to students from the then 
Rangpur, Dinajpur region, Jalpaiguri, Assam, and adjacent regions of 
undivided India.