Begum Rokeya University (BRU) in Rangpur has once again been filled with memories of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the 2024 student uprising, as July returns. Two years after his death, friends, classmates, teachers, and fellow activists continue to honor his courage and selflessness. The campus’s familiar spots, from the English Department corridors to the Freedom Memorial, still evoke his presence and the spirit of resistance he embodied.

Friends recall Abu Sayeed as humble, compassionate, and always ready to help others, both in academic and social causes. His comrades remember his leadership during the early days of the 2024 movement, when he inspired others to stand firm against injustice. Teachers describe him as a bright, respectful, and principled student who dreamed of becoming a civil servant and protested against discrimination in merit-based evaluation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali said the university is working to preserve his memory through the construction of a residential hall, memorial gate, museum, and monument named after him, reflecting the collective demand of students and his family.