As many as 8,069 graduates, including 4,387 female students, will receive their certificates at the two-day ceremony. DU authorities will award 108 gold medals to 79 students for their outstanding academic performances at the convocation.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, also the DU chancellor, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, cabinet ministers, representatives of the foreign missions in Bangladesh and other important personalities will attend the convocation.

A colourful rally from the Curzon Hall will mark the beginning of the convocation, the third since independence. DU authorities have asked the members of the senate, syndicate and academic council, teachers and principals and directors of the institutes and constituent colleges to be present by 1:30pm.

They also asked the graduates and guests to take their seats at the convocation venue by 8:30am today and 9:00am tomorrow.

There will be separate entrances to the venue for the graduates and guests, who are not allowed to carry camera, cellphone or handbag.

The authorities yesterday held a rehearsal of the graduates and gold medallists on how to receive certificates and medals.

Security measures have been beefed up on the campus for the high-profile programme.

Classes and examinations scheduled for today and tomorrow have meanwhile been postponed and fresh dates for the exams will be announced soon.