|| Desk Report: More than 500 students who achieved outstanding results in O-Level and A-Level examinations have been honoured at the 4th Clarion Call O-Level and A-Level Academic Excellence Award 2026, recognising their academic achievements and encouraging them to pursue knowledge, develop skills and contribute to society.The award ceremony was held on Saturday at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in the capital. Students from reputed English-medium schools across Dhaka, along with teachers, parents, volunteers, Clarion Call officials and representatives of its various branches, attended the event.The awardees received prizes, mementoes, certificates and gifts in recognition of their academic performance.Former University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan attended the programme as the chief guest. Addressing the students, he highlighted the importance of parental guidance, social responsibility and the role of collective contributions in shaping an individual's life.“Responsible parents are a blessing to society and the best friends in students' lives,” he said, emphasising that a person's growth is shaped by the contributions of many people in society.He urged the students to recognise their responsibility towards the community and contribute to social welfare as they advance in life.Professor Khan also stressed that personal and professional success requires continuous learning, knowledge acquisition and the development of practical skills. He encouraged students to connect what they learn with real-life applications and pursue their interests while keeping the greater good of society in mind.Presiding over the ceremony, Clarion Call Executive Editor Saad Bin Hossain said the initiative was designed to recognise meritorious students and promote a culture of learning and intellectual development.Expressing optimism about the younger generation, he said young people would move forward with renewed enthusiasm in a changing world and enhance both their own standing and Bangladesh's image on the international stage.He also called on students to prepare themselves for global competition, stressing that participation alone was not enough. Academic merit, practical skills, dedication and perseverance were essential to achieving success, he added.The programme featured several distinguished academics and professionals as special guests, including Professor Dr Abdul Latif Masum, former chairman of the Department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University; Professor Dr Md Jahangir Alam of the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET); Dr A.K.M. Waresul Karim, professor of economics and former dean of the School of Business and Economics at North South University; and retired Brigadier General Engineer A.B.M. Golam Mostafa, LdMC, psc.The ceremony was conducted by Zayed Rusafi, with the programme focusing not only on recognising academic achievements but also on inspiring students to broaden their knowledge, improve their skills and prepare for future leadership roles.The event was jointly sponsored by Retina, Istanbul Hotel, Edumex Consultancy, Genzee and the Society for Student Development (SSD).Clarion Call has been recognising students for outstanding O-Level and A-Level results since 2023. Under its slogan, “Share your views, change the world,” the English-language magazine works to promote the development and empowerment of teenagers and young people.Alongside publishing its magazine, the organisation conducts various extracurricular activities aimed at nurturing students' talent, leadership abilities and creativity.The fourth edition of the academic excellence awards continues this effort, providing a platform to celebrate educational achievement and encourage young people to pursue excellence while remaining conscious of their responsibilities to society and the country.