DU sees changes after new admin takes over

Dhaka University (DU) has witnessed some remarkable changes since the new administration has taken over charge, following its appointment by the interim government after the deposition of the Awami League regime.

After the appointment of the new administration, a series of major changes or reforms are visible, including increased autonomy for departments and halls, decentralisation of administrative tasks, establishment of a policy review board, and a more transparent and simplified notice system.

Abolition of Gonoroom:

The first year students of Dhaka University had to suffer a lot for Gonoroom and guestroom culture in the hands of the Chhatra League.

The Gonoroom and guestroom culture in DU run by the university-unit Chhatra League was recently abolished by the administration.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan has praised the initiative taken by the students and announced that they would put up a legal base for these initiatives turning them into policy.

"The torture in the name of gonorooms  is now under control. Some halls have flawlessly abolished them and some have adjusted them somehow. We will give this initiative a legal base by the provost committee, so that no one can re-establish them," said the VC.

"Our work is to mainly legalise the rules set by students from above. And we are trying to do that accordingly," he added.

The DU authorities are trying to decentralise the administration process :

The centralisation of administration at Dhaka University has been a significant problem, requiring students and teachers to make multiple visits to officials for matters such as pursuing higher education.

"Students and teachers will not have to come to me if they want to go abroad (for higher studies). They will only have to come, if the matter is complex or outside regular law policy," said Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan.

Previously, Dhaka University's exam dates were fixed centrally, giving departments and halls little control over their schedules or policies.

The administration now plans to grant more autonomy to departments and halls.

"If departments decide to delay their exams for academic reasons, they will have the freedom to do so. Earlier, everything was centrally fixed, but now it will be more flexible. The current situation is unique, so granting more freedom at the departmental level has become crucial. They will only need to inform us of their actions but will otherwise have full autonomy," said Niaz Ahmed Khan.

"Similarly in halls, there will be some policy, about doing something (administratively), they will also have to inform us. If they want to adjust something, they will be free to do that as well," he added.

Addressing seat crisis:

At the time of Awami regime, halls were controlled by Chhatra League. After the new administration took over, they distributed legal seats in every hall of the University.

However, addressing the seat crisis in university halls, Pro-VC Sayema Haque Bidisha said the matter was severe in the girls' residential halls.

"The problem is more severe in the girls' halls. We've observed that we lack sufficient accommodation for our female students. We plan to ask former students still residing in the halls to vacate, allowing them time to do so. This measure will help alleviate the issue to some extent within our existing arrangement," she said.

Improving canteen food quality:

The food quality at Dhaka University (DU) has been a major issue, with reasonable prices but substandard quality.

After the fall of the Chhatra League, which extorted canteen owners in each hall, the quality slightly improved. The administration now plans further improvements.

"We have contacted a catering service that proposed a very reasonable price, and we will negotiate to lower it further," said M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, treasurer of DU.

He added that a branch of Star Kabab could be opened on the campus.

Anti-sexual harassment cell :

There have been several allegations that the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell at Dhaka University is not functioning properly. The Financial Express earlier, published a news titled, ' Dhaka University anti-sexual harassment Cell doesn't work properly.

Recently, the administration took plans to address these issues and ensure the cell operates effectively.

"We have received numerous complaints and have formed a committee to oversee whether these policies are being implemented properly. There are now many new dimensions to eradicating sexual harassment and discrimination, and we will address these in the updated policy," said VC Niaz Ahmed Khan.

"New dimensions regarding gender have emerged that were not considered when the existing policy was formulated. Updating these policies is essential, and we have formed a committee for this purpose as well," he added.

New social media handles:

As various universities in the world have strong social media platform, Dhaka University have not that much active previously, but the new VC also announced a new Facebook page or X, formally known as Twitter, account to publish regular updates of the university.

The conventional notices are relatively harder to access and also very complex. So the administration plans to go for a more simple way.

"We are trying to open a Twitter account. We had a Facebook page but it is not currently accessible due to hacking or something else. We will open a new Facebook page where regular and important updates will be published," said Niaz Ahmed Khan.

Affordable transportation system:

A convenient and reasonably priced transportation system is to be developed at DU.

"Immediately after the students told their problems I called a company which provides bus services. They were ready to provide buses for us. Our demands were that they will handle the whole management and will charge Tk5-10 per ride.

"Another start-up company came to us offering battery-run auto-rickshaws. We will now just get a clearance from the environment department to run this." M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said.

Introducing counselling service:

Educational institutions in Bangladesh have long denied the need for counseling services. While a few responsible teachers encourage students to approach them with mental health concerns, their numbers are limited.

The Dhaka University administration now plans to establish counseling services in each department.

"We are also concerned about students' mental health, especially given the trauma they have experienced over the past few months and the disruption of academic activities. We plan to establish a form of counseling service to address these issues. This service will be available for a fixed fee," said Sayema Haque Bidisha.

Affordable internet service:

Internet connectivity has been another major issue at Dhaka University, with several students complaining about the service. Previously, Chhatra League determined the internet provider.

The administration now plans to offer internet services to students at a lower price.

"We contacted BTCL and their most superior officer came to us for a meeting. We will provide broadband connection to each room. A router for each room should be enough. The price has not been fixed yet. The senior officer suggested meeting and discussing with the Telecommunication Adviser Nahid Islam. We will soon fix the price," said M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

Medical facilities:

Students at Dhaka University have struggled to access medicines at night, as the only pharmacy on campus at the DU Officers' Club closes at 11pm.

After that, students must go to Shahbag or Dhaka Medical College Hospital for medication. The administration is working to resolve this issue.

"We have not found a solution yet. A start-up company we contacted cannot provide the service due to a lack of pharmacists and necessary clearances. Companies with the required clearances and pharmacists are not interested in setting up a small shop. We are considering establishing a central pharmacy with an included delivery service," said M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

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