Khaleda hoisted national flag and Vice-chancellor Prof Faisal Islam Faruqi raised university flag to begin the three-day celebration programmes. The PM also released balloons and pigeons on the occasion.

She opened a Golden Jubilee Tower on the campus to mark the historic occasion. Later, she laid the foundation stone for the fifth female students' hall.

Khaleda urged RU administration to improve educational atmosphere on the campus. Urging teachers to refrain from factionalism and partisanship, she asked the administration to take realistic steps to remove session jam.

"Let study and research be the only goal for students and teachers," she added.

The RU, established in 1953 with only 161 students, now boasts 24,000 students under 24 departments.