Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) staged a sit-in on Sunday demanding implementation of its 13-point agenda for academic reform and student welfare.
The sit-in was held in front of the university’s new Registrar Building in the afternoon.
The demands include implementing the academic calendar, increasing thesis funding, introducing certificate courses at the Wazed Miah Research Centre, recruiting student research assistants, introducing a teacher evaluation system, ensuring facilities for students with disabilities, extending institutional email validity and allowing re-evaluation of examination scripts.
Other demands include simplifying improvement examinations, strengthening the Controller of Examinations Office, introducing special examinations, preparing realistic examination schedules and expanding online e-resources.
JUCSU Education and Research Secretary Abu Obaida Osama said the union had raised these demands with the university administration since its formation.
“On July 29, the Academic Council accepted our 13 demands. We hope the administration will take the necessary steps to implement them at today’s Syndicate meeting,” he said.
On thesis funding, Osama said the administration planned to increase the allocation from Tk 750 to Tk 7,500.
“The proposal has passed the Finance Committee, and we expect the Syndicate to give it final approval today,” he added.
JUCSU General Secretary Mazharul Islam said the union had been working on academic reform since its formation.
He said the Academic Council had accepted most of their demands and decided to increase research funding for students.
“We hope the Syndicate will approve and implement these decisions. We will not accept any delay regarding students’ academic rights,” he added.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said the demands were relevant but noted that the university faced financial constraints because it depended on government allocations.
“We will provide the maximum possible support for academic development within our capacity,” he said.
VC also said the university would prioritize increasing allocations for students and researchers while maintaining a balance in the distribution of funds to improve the quality of education.