Bangladesh universities to begin Eid break early to save power, fuel

All public and private universities in Bangladesh will begin their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays this Monday as part of a government drive to conserve electricity and fuel amid the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

The education ministry on Sunday instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that universities close from Monday.

The government also ordered the universities to follow an 11-point instruction to fight the energy crisis.

Universities will remain shut until the dates specified in their respective academic calendars for the Eid break, according to the directive sent to the UGC chairman.

Some institutions, such as University of Barishal, Comilla University and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Mymensingh, had already begun their Eid holidays from Sunday.

Others, including University of Dhaka and Bangladesh Agricultural University, were scheduled to start the break on Mar 15, while Jahangirnagar University had set Mar 10 as the beginning of its holiday.

However, the latest government decision means these universities will close earlier than planned to support the energy-saving effort.

The ministry’s guidelines instruct officials and employees to minimise electricity use during office hours and rely on natural light whenever possible.

The measures include using only half of the lighting where feasible, keeping air conditioners set at 25°C or higher, and switching off lights, fans, computers and other electrical equipment when leaving rooms or after office hours.

Universities have also been asked to avoid decorative lighting, limit the use of vehicles and take steps to reduce overall fuel consumption.