Notre Dame College (Dhaka)
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Notre Dame College, Dhaka |
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| Motto | Diligite Lumen Sapientiae -- love the light of wisdom |
| Established | 1949 |
| Type | Higher Secondary School |
| Principal | Father Benjamin De Costa |
| Students | 4000 |
| Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Campus | Urban |
Notre Dame College (Bengali: নটরডেম কলেজ) is a renowned higher secondary school situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which is administrated by the Congregation of Holy Cross, Society of Priests. (In the Indian subcontinent, as in the UK, higher secondary schools, comprising the 11th and 12th year of education, are often referred to as 'colleges').
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[edit] History
Notre Dame College was established in Lakshmibazar, Dhaka in November, 1949. It was established by the Roman Catholic Priests from the Order of Holy Cross for the reason of existing crisis in education sector of the new born East Pakistan of that time. Initially, it was known as the St. Gregory College, an extension of the St. Gregory School, which was also established by the mission. It was relocated to its current location in Motijheel in 1954 and renamed to Notre Dame College. The new name was a tribute to the University of Notre Dame, the alma mater of many of the faculty members. In French Notre Dame means Our Lady, that stands for Mother Mary.
Since inception,this college achieved excellent results.Students of the college obtained the first place in the combined merit list of the Higher Secondary Certificate Examinations seven times in eight years between 1952 and 1959.
[edit] Students
Every year Notre Dame College takes 1200 students in science section and 800 students in commerce and arts section. Previously, there was an admission test, but now an interview is required (with a minimum requirement of a GPA of at least 5).
[edit] Clubs of Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College has many extra-curricular clubs, notable among them are the Notre Dame Science Club and the Notre Dame Debating Club. The latter is currently moderated by Father Adam Perera.Notre Dame Science Club celebrated their golden jubilee in 1999. It is one of the oldest science clubs in the country. Another active club of Notre Dame College is Notre Dame English Club.There is also other 17 clubs. Notre Dame English Club,Nature the motto of notre dame nature study club is to built leadership among students. Study Club & History club are also mentionable among the clubs.
[edit] Disaster Response Activities
Notre Dame College has a reputation for conducting relief activities after natural disasters. The students and staff participated in relief work after the 1970 Bhola cyclone of November 20, [[1987
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[edit] Publications
"Blue and Gold" is the year book of Notre Dame College. Notre Dame College also publishes students' monthly magazines- "Chit Chat"in English and Dhak-Dhol in Bengali.Separate publications of Science Club and Debating Club are also published. Cosmos was a science-related publication of NDSC, but is no longer published.Biponon is the magazine of Notre Dame Business club. In fact every club(there are 18 clubs in NDC) has its own magazine/publication.
[edit] Administration
The college is managed by the Catholic fathers from the Order of the Holy Cross in Dhaka. Since its establishment, ten priests have served as the principal of the college.
- John J. Harrington, 1949-54
- James L. Martin,1954-60
- Theotonius Ganguly, March, 1960 - October, 1960
- William Graham, 1960-67
- John Vanden Bossche, 1967-69
- Joseph Peixotto, 1969-70
- Richard Timm, 1970-71
- Ambrose Wheeler, 1971-76
- Joseph Peixotto, 1976-1998
- Benjamin Costa, 1998-
Among them, Father Timm is a renowned biologist and a winner of the 1987 Ramon Magsaysay award for International understanding. Father Timm is also the founder moderator of Notre Dame Science Club.
