DU
DU asks students to provide their vaccination status
Dhaka University students have been asked to provide information regarding Covid-19 vaccination by logging in with their institutional e-mail account.
If they face any trouble while doing this, they were also asked to communicate with the respective department or the admin of the institutional email accounts, said a press release issued from Dhaka University on Wednesday.
READ: DU dorms to reopen September 1 for final year and Masters students
Since the information about vaccination that was emailed to the ICT cell earlier couldn't be linked to the database, students would need to provide the information from their respective profiles by logging in through the institutional e-mail ID at the following address: https:/ssl.du.ac.bd/studentlogin
The move seems to be a part of the university’s preparation to reopen after a long closure since Covid-19 struck Bangladesh in March last year.
READ: Covid-19 vaccine: DU students asked to get registered by March 31
DU turns 100: The life and times of a premier institution
Once dubbed, rather erroneously, as the 'Oxford of the East' - Dhaka University completes a century as the country's premier institute of higher education, with a proud and diverse history that many say it is failing to live up to, or even honour today. Dire allegations of academic decline and politicisation continue to dog the university as it passes this special milestone.
The centennial may be as good an occasion as any to address the misunderstanding over the Oxford comparison. As is often the case, the source of the confusion is a kernel of truth. The fact is that Lord Curzon, viceroy of India (1899-1905), did indeed plan to build for the people of India several 'Oxfords of the East'.
Read: DU's 98th founding anniversary today
What he meant was a university system modelled on the residential colleges of the University of Oxford (and even Cambridge for that matter, only Curzon may just have been biased as a graduate of Balliol College, Oxford). And this system was in fact followed in a number of Indian universities set up under the British Raj - another famous example being the Aligarh Muslim University - it too has been known to tout itself at times as the Oxford of the East. The University of Pune (formerly Poona) is another.
And so at the beginning a distinctive feature of DU was its non-affiliating, residential character like that of Oxford. However, since 1947 the University was given an affiliating mandate in place of an exclusive residential-cum-teaching character. That should have been the end of that. But the moniker stuck, often to the utter bewilderment of later generations.
DU's journey a hundred years ago started with only three faculties, 12 departments, three dormitories, 60 teachers and 877 students on a 600-acre area of land. Today it has blossomed into a giant educational and political powerhouse in all aspects, intrinsically tied to the birth of a nation. Even Oxford, which is only 925 years old, may not be able to claim that.
Read: Mystery shrouds death of a DU student
At its 100th founding anniversary, DU now has 13 faculties, 83 departments, 12 institutes, 20 residential halls, 3 hostels, and more than 56 research centres. The number of current students and teachers has grown to about 37,018 and 1,992 respectively, according to the university's own website.
Dhaka University, however, had the reputation of producing quality graduates in various fields and and an even greater one for leading the nation through major political movements on behalf of the masses, starting from the Language Movement of 1952, the non-cooperation movement of 1966, the uprising of 1969 - all wrought against the form of imperial rule exercised in the then-East Pakistan by West Pakistani political elites.
As a hive of dissident activism and subversive political uprisings, it was the very opposite of Oxford - a citadel for British imperial might in its heyday, where the statues of men like Sir Cecil Rhodes, of Rhodesia fame (or infamy), still stand today.
On March 2, 1971, the students of DU hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh for the first time on the campus and handed it over to the political leadership of the country. The role of DU was instrumental in the birth of Bangladesh.
Then came the Liberation War, where DU students participated in droves, while a number of teachers provided the intellectual edifice of fighting for freedom. It all prompted macabre bouts of targeted intellectual killings by the Pakistan army, even as it stared at defeat square in the face.
The Pakistan army conducted one of the worst genocides in history at DU by murdering many intellectuals and students in order to break the political will of the nation. Suffice it to say, no institute even comes close to DU when it comes to having sacrificed its best and brightest for the nation.
Perhaps its last great stand of conscience was the concerted movement by students throughout the Eighties, with DU very much in the lead, that resulted in the fall of the autocratic government of H.M. Ershad in 1990, paving the way for democratic reforms. It is perhaps telling that in terms of quantity, such emancipatory movements germinating on DU's grounds probably outweighs the number of widely-cited academic papers by DU researchers.
Experts, students and alumni of the university all agree that the quality of education has suffered drastically over the decades.
In terms of global university rankings, like the recently published well-recognized Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2022, DU has remained in an unchanged position as in previous years, at the 801-1000 range. That is, towards the bottom. No university ranking in the world awards any points at all for emancipatory activities.
The university currently spends a big portion of its budget for the salaries and wages of officials and teachers. Recently DU has proposed a Tk832 crore budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, with only 1.32% (Tk11 crore) for research - a persistent bane that does its ranking no favours.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said: "It is a matter of pride that we are celebrating the 100th founding anniversary of DU. There are many things to do in future to achieve a greater place overcoming all the insufficiencies of the present."
The DU authorities will arrange a virtual discussion program on the 100th founding anniversary of the university owing to the pandemic.
The virtual discussion will start at 4pm on Thursday, with VC Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair. Language Movement hero and Columnist Abdul Gaffar Choudhury will present the keynote speech on “Centenary of Dhaka University: Looking Back” as chief guest in the discussion.
Moreover, Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) celebrated the centenary of the university yesterday at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building. Professor Akhtaruzzaman was present there as chief guest while DUAA president AK Azad chaired the program.
Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, "Our university stepped into hundred years of it's anniversary, with the pride of building the nation. We are moving forward to a prosperous future with the norms of progressive, democratic, human values. Now, we promise to modernise the quality of education and research."
Perhaps therein lies the central contradiction: in its institutional memory, DU has always been a force for disruption, a haven for dissidents, and it bristles against the established order. Today, in its role as the premier institute of education in a nation hungry for stability, growth and prosperity, it must enmesh itself into the establishment. From there it must build the nation. Just like Oxford.
How does DU plan to take semester final exams amid pandemic?
The University of Dhaka remains closed over 15 months since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Bangladesh and the situation is getting worse day by day. The university moved academic activities online but for different limitations, online learning has not proved effective as ‘expected’.
Amid the student’s long demand to take their final exams, the Dhaka University (DU) authorities have decided to hold in-person final examinations of all academic years from July if the Covid-19 situation in the country remains under control. If not, the examinations will be held online.
Authorities in confusion
After the DU authorities decided to take exams, some departments and institutions fixed the date but as the Covid situation is worsening day by day, uncertainty looms again over holding the exams.
Like other departments, the department of accounting and information system and philosophy department had announced in-person exam schedules but postponed them later. Psychology and leather engineering departments prolonged the online exam dates. Institute of Education and Research fixed 7 July for in-person final exams but later moved the date to August.
Students are worried over such uncertainty. Tanvir Ahmed Fahad, a student of the Philosophy department, said, “Most departments postponed exam schedules and some departments like Persian Language and Literature are taking their exams. In such a situation, we’re in uncertainty whether our exams will be held or not. If the exams are held, we'll have to manage accommodations in the city to stay for some days as the dormitories will not reopen.
“Many students come to Dhaka and rent for off-campus accommodations in the city but they are not sure what to do amid the uncertainty,” he added.
Deans and chairs of different departments said they were instructed to take exams and they will do so. The decision depends on the academic council and the vice chancellor.
Asked about residential facilities for students, deans said, “It depends on the authority.”
Contacted, dean of the Social Sciences Faculty Dr Sadeka Halim told UNB, “In a recent meeting with all chairs of 16 departments under my faculty, 10 departments said they will take in-person offline exams and the rest of them decided to take exams online. The situation is uncertain and we’ll have to take further decisions considering the pandemic situation.”
Also read: Dhaka University unveils grand plans for centenary celebrations
Asked about residential facilities for students, Dr. Sadeka Halim said, “It totally depends on the academic council and administration. We, the deans, told them to consider residential facilities for students. Otherwise, all students cannot attend in-person exams. A majority of the students, particularly those from far-flung areas of the country, just can't afford to pay rent for off-campus accommodations in the city. We told them and they (Provost standing committee, VC, Pro-VC) are responsible for taking decisions regarding this. We’ll do whatever they say.”
Asked if any student is unable to attend exams for valid reasons, Prof Sadeka Halim said, “It depends on faculties and institutions. The Social Sciences Faculty will consider later if anyone fails to attend the in-person exams.”
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Maksud Kamal said, “All departments are independent when it comes to taking exams. We instructed them and they can take exams whether online or offline.”
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Abdus Samad said, “The situation is worse than before. Students shouldn’t come to the campus before they are vaccinated.”
Asked about online exams, Prof Samad said, “The majority of students can’t even join classes. Statistics show that only 55 percent of students cannot join their classes for various limitations. So, it’s illogical to take exams online while the majority of our students are out of the frame.”
Asked how exams will be taken amid the pandemic, Director of the Institute of Education and Research, Prof Dr Abdul Malek said, “We’ll follow the central decision of the university,”
Arts Faculty dean Prof Dr Abu Md Delower Hossain also said the same.
Engineering Faculty Dean Prof Dr Md Hasanuzzaman said, “The VC knows better whether the exams will be held or not amid the country’s worsening covid situation.”
Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, “Exams will be taken as per our previous decision – either online or offline. If the pandemic worsens or a lockdown is imposed, then students shouldn’t be moved to Dhaka.”
He, however, declined to talk in detail over the phone as there is a chance of ‘misinterpretation’.
Online not a good option
All the educational institutions, including universities, suspended academic activities on March 15 last year to curb the spread of Covid-19. And later, the DU introduced online classes from the first week of July last following a directive of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
But for various limitations, the authorities were unable to ensure the participation of all students in online classes as many still face problems, including the lack of proper devices, cost of internet use and network problems in remote areas.
A study, conducted last year, showed that only 55.3% of the students from public and private universities have access to a laptop, PC, or a tablet to attend an online class. The most important factor for online classes is internet connectivity and the survey revealed that 55% of the students are not supported by proper internet connections to continue with online education.
Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students
DU Chhatra League demand withdrawal of residence and transport fees
Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) Dhaka University (DU) unit staged a rally on Monday with five point charter of demands including withdrawal of residence and transport fees of the pandemic year.
Their four other demands are: vaccination for all students, assurance of drug-free campus, formulation of roadmap for implementation of university master plan to alleviate residential crisis, modernization of DU Medical Centre and assurance of Covid-19 treatment for students.
The rally took place at the foot of anti-terrorism Raju memorial sculpture at noon, but due to rain the programme was shortened.
READ: Dhaka University teachers, students demand reopening campus
Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) Dhaka university unit President Sanjit Chandra Das presided over the rally while BCL’s DU unit General Secretary Saddam Hossain conducted the programme.
Sanjit Chandra Das said, “Students’ are facing various mental problems due to the closure of educational institutions for a long time and many students’ have committed suicide. The university administration should reopen the institution by ensuring vaccination for all the students immediately.”
“The university authority has to improve the service of Dhaka University Medical Center to ensure the heath protection of the students, and the public university student should be brought under health insurance,” he added.
Saddam Hossain said, “Although the university remains closed for 15 months, the university students have to pay the residence and transformation fees. Considering the financial situation of students, the administration should have to waive abovementioned fees. The teachers failed to play the role of guardian.”
READ: Dhaka University unveils grand plans for centenary celebrations
“The Prime Minister has instructed to vaccinate all the students’ emergency basis but due to lack of coordination among concerned authorities the public university students have not vaccinated yet. Overcoming all the administrational negligence, the university administration has to coordinate with concerned authorities to bring all students under the vaccination,” he added.
Left student bodies demand reopening DU halls, vaccination of students
Left student oraganisations of Dhaka University (DU) staged a demonstration on the campus on Tuesday (June 01, 2021) demanding reopening of residential halls, vaccination of students and staff, and announcement of a roadmap on reopening of the university.
They held a rally in front of Raju Memorial Sculpture under the banner of ‘Progotishil Chhatro Jote or Progressive Students' Alliance.
They threatened to intensify their protests if their demands are not met.
Also Read: Leftist students demand reopening DU halls
When asked by UNB about justification of demanding the reopening of halls when most of the projections say Covid situation in the country might worsen by the end of June or beginning of July, Meghmallar Bose, Assistant General Secretary of the DU unit of Bangladesh Students Union said,“The pandemic is a real problem. But the economic and psychological crises that general students are going through are no less significant.”
“We also demand that vaccines are given to students as early as possible to mitigate the risk of Covid spread,” he said.
When asked about considering online exams as an alternative, he replied, “ Since the government hasn't even been able to improve the medical infrastructures enough to provide ICUs for Covid patients, it is laughable if someone thinks they can improve internet infrastructure all of a sudden to make sure that students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds and living in remote areas will be able to access online classes on a regular basis.“
Read University students to be vaccinated for reopening dorms: UGC
Besides, Dhaka University (DU) teachers and students on Sunday demanded reopening residential halls, resuming classes and taking exams immediately maintaining health guidelines.
Terming the ongoing closure of educational institutions 'illogical', around 100 students and teachers under the banner of "hall and educational institutions open movement" formed a human chain at the base of Raju Memorial sculpture on the campus.
Addressing the rally, Md Asif Nazrul, professor and chairman of Law department, said, "If garments, shopping malls and vehicles can operate following health guidelines, why will the educational institutions remain closed? All educational institutions must be reopened by maintaining health protocols."
Read DU: JCD activists, campus journo attacked by BCL
"Affluent persons' children have sufficient means to learn from home but most students can't even manage a digital device or proper network to continue academic activities," he said.
Dhaka University teachers, students demand reopening campus
The teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday demanded reopening residential halls, resuming classes and taking exams immediately maintaining health guidelines.
Terming the ongoing closure of educational institutions 'illogical', around 100 students and teachers under the banner of "Hall and educational institutions open movement" formed a human chain at the base of Raju Memorial sculpture on the campus.
Addressing the rally, Dr Md Asif Nazrul, Professor and Chairman of Law department, said, "If garments, shopping malls and vehicles can operate following health guidelines, why will the educational institutions remain closed? All educational institutions must be reopened by maintaining health protocols."
Read COVID-19 causes biggest disruption of education system in history.
"Affluent persons' children have sufficient means to learn from home but most students can't even manage a digital device or proper network to continue academic activities," he said.
Dr Abu Musa Md Arif Billah, Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, said, "The education minister changes her decision over and over, and the university authorities comply with her."
Nusrat Tabassum, a DU student of the political science department, said, "All of the students have become frustrated because of a long gap both from studies and campus environment. Most DU students were dependent on tuition, but now they are fighting to survive."
Also read: Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni
"We hope that the authorities will soon consider reopening campuses and residential halls," she said.
Moyajjem, a biochemistry student, said, "The education ministry has failed to create an effective policy during the pandemic situation. We hope the ministry will reopen our campus immediately."
"We will continue our protest until the authorities concerned announce to reopen halls and the campus," he said.
Read No assignments for secondary school students
Later, the protesters brought out a procession and marched towards the vice-chancellor's residence.
LSD seized during probe into DU student's death
Police say they have seized psychedelic drug LSD during investigation into the death of Dhaka University student Hafizur Rahman.
Three private university students were also detained with this hallucinogenic drug in a raid from Dhaka on Wednesday night.
The arrestees are Sadman Sakib Rupol, 25, Ashab Wadud Turjo, 22, and Adib Ashraf, 23.
Also Read: Mystery shrouds death of a DU student
AKM Hafiz Akhter, additional commissioner of police at the DB confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon at a briefing at the Detective Branch media centre.
“The ongoing probe into the death of DU student Hafizur led to the raid,” he said.
Akhter said whether the drug had anything to do with the death of Hafizur can only be ascertained after further investigation.
He revealed that around 200 strips of LSD imported from the Netherland were seized during the raid.
Hafizur, 24, a student of Information Science and Library Management (2015-16 session), went missing on May 15, a day after Eid-ul-Fitr.
DU students were in shock when his dead body was found at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue on Sunday.
DU to hold virtual final exams if Covid situation remains unchanged
The Deans Committee of Dhaka University have decided to hold the final examinations of all academic years online if the coronavirus situation does not improve in the meantime.
The recommendation came from a virtual meeting of the committee comprising deans of all faculties.
Professor ASM Maksud Kamal, pro-vice-chancellor of the university, confirmed the news to UNB.
Read DU admission tests rescheduled amid pandemic
“ We are hoping that the Covid situation will improve by July. In that case, we will take examinations in person from 1 July. But if the status quo does not change favourably, we will go for online examinations,” he said.
He also added that the Deans of all the faculties have been asked to formulate strategies within two weeks on how the exams will be taken.
The teachers will be provided with necessary training about taking online examinations in the meantime, he claimed.
Read All professional MBBS final exams postponed
The deans' committee's recommendation will be finalised tomorrow at the meeting of the university's academic council, concluded the Pro VC.
The normal academic activities at Dhaka University have been at a standstill since March 18 last year due to the outbreak of coronavirus. This has been a reason of immense frustration among the University’s students, especially those studying in final year.
Read TSC Renovation: How will the new look be?
TSC Renovation: How will the new look be?
The Teacher-Student Centre, popularly known as TSC on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, was established in 1961. It is set to be renovated keeping its old structure as part of the university’s birth centenary celebrations in 2021.
The University authority primarily approved the new design provided by The Public Works Department (PWD) of the government but the construction work will start after Prime Minister’s approval. Before that, PWD proposed to rebuild TSC entirely, which sparked debate and anger among students, teachers and alumni.
Later, the authorities instructed PWD to form a new design keeping its old structure. After several meetings, both stakeholders signed off on the new design.
Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2 last year said a plan to modernize Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), TSC and Shahbagh’s Public Library. "Dhaka University is our university and we want to build TSC in a modern way," said the PM on that day.
She also said that she had already directed the authorities concerned to prepare its design in a proper manner.
What will the new TSC complex look like?
According to the new draft design, TSC’s present structure will not be demolished. A 10-storied new building will be constructed where the swimming pool is now located.
“The new facility will be built and incorporated with the existing structure. It will include rehearsal rooms for cultural activities, rooms with modern facilities for TSC-based socio-cultural groups, indoor games room, separate cafeteria, two auditorium, gymnasium, teachers’ lounge, two basements for vehicle parking, and more,” said Acting Director Syed Ali Akbar.
Read 5-storey building tilts in Chattogram: Residents evacuated
He said the entrance of the new building would be from the west of TSC. The construction work will be started from the back where now the swimming pool is situated.
“Our engineering section is not involved with the designing or construction work, moreover the PWD will do as per the prime minister’s instruction,” he continued.
Mir Manzurur Rahman, Chief Architect, Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, said, “We did a draft design following DU’s requisition. We cover almost all of the requisition including two auditoriums, a lecture theater, a gymnasium and some office space and others. We insert these requisitions into 10 storied building and Dhaka University is happy with our design.”
“Old existing structures will not be rebuilt. We will just renovate existing structures as per necessity,” he added.
The TSC director provided a requisition list to the university's engineering department, which was subsequently submitted to PWD on October 18 last year by the DU authorities.
The acting chief engineer of DU Abul Kalam Sikder said, “PWD will provide the new design to the prime minister and if she approves the design, they will start construction work."
DU pro vice-chancellor (administration) Prof Muhammad Samad said, “This design is acceptable. It will be handed over to prime minister though PWD and final work will start if the PM approves the design.”
Prof Samad hoped that construction work would begin soon under the direct concern of the prime minister.
Also read: Bangabandhu’s historic photo kept at TSC
Mohiuddin Mahi, a third-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism said, TSC is the social and cultural hub of our campus which was built when the varsity had a small number of students.
“However, it has never been reconstructed again although the number of students and teachers has been increasing every year. So, this is a great initiative indeed but the authorities have to be sincere enough so that none of its tradition or aesthetic beauties get destroyed,” he added.
Echoing Mahi, Salman Siddique, president of Socialist students’ front said, "Yes, there is a need to improve some aspects of TSC. We do not oppose modernization of TSC either. But authority have to be more sincere so that none of tradition and beauties get destroyed.”
But there are lots of problems including accommodation crisis authority should pay heed first, he said.
Read Construction work on Dhaka airport’s new terminal likely to begin in Dec
TSC at a glimpse
The TSC is an invaluable part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and among the modern architectural landmarks of the country.
The Greek legendary architect, planner and theoretician Constantinos Apostolos Doxiadis (1913-1975) designed TSC during the early 1960s and later the TSC building was built as part of the so-called Decade of Development (between 1958 and 1968) of the then Pakistani regime.
The structure exemplifies a modernist architectural sensitivity toward spatial needs for tropical climatic conditions. It blends local parameters of space-making -- particularly the indoor-outdoor continuum and generation of space around courtyards -- with international-style visual expression of building forms.
TSC's dome-shaped structure is considered an iconic landmark in Dhaka city. It has been home to countless students who show up between or after classes for a cup of tea with friends, and holds immense nostalgic value for them on top of being a historically significant site.
There were several attempts to renovate the structure earlier, but they were stopped subsequently. One of them was to demolish the swimming pool next to the TSC and build a nine-storey building. The initiative of renovation by keeping the original structure intact, however, did not see the light of day.
Read PM orders proper renovation of shabby rail bridges
27 including 2 journalists injured as BCL attacks anti-Modi protesters
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men on Thursday attacked anti-Modi protesters at the Dhaka University (DU) campus following a torch procession by a group under the banner of Progressive Student Alliance against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Dhaka visit.
The incident took place in front of the university's vice-chancellor's house at around 7:45pm. At least 25 protesters and two journalists were injured during the attack.
Prothom Alo's DU correspondent Asif Hawlader came under attack as he went to the university's VC Chattar to gather news.
"I went there to collect news. Suddenly, 10-15 BCL men attacked me. I lost consciousness as they hit me on the head," Asif said. "They also snatched my bag, Tk3,000 and press card."
Also read: BCL men 'beat up' journalist for covering anti-Modi protest
Earlier at 5:30pm, another journalist, Abid Hasan Rasel of Bangla Tribune, came under attack at TSC while performing his professional duties.
"People of Bangladesh," a citizens' platform, arranged a programme named "Jeyafat" at that time protesting Modi's upcoming visit.
As the protesters were about the start their programme, some BCL leaders and activists beat them up, and snatched their banners, the witnesses said.
Abid was at the spot to cover the programme. The BCL men swooped down on Abid as he started recording the video of the BCL attack on protesters.
Also read: Anti-Modi protest: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad burns Indian PM's effigy
The journalist is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka University Medical Centre.
The Socialists Students' Front DU chapter President Salman Siddique said at least 25 protesters were injured by BCL men.
"We were standing in front of the vice-chancellor's house. Suddenly, BCL activists attacked us with bamboo sticks, stamps and bricks," Salman said.
BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy could not be reached for comments till the filing of this report.
However, BCL General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee said, "The incident is unexpected. We are yet to identify the attackers and will take proper action after finding them."
Also read: 25 injured as BCL swoop on anti-Modi protesters
Earlier, the procession started with 300 protesters from TSC at 6:30pm and ended in front of Ruqayyah Hall.
During the procession, the protesters chanted: "Go back Modi, go back to India," "Butcher of Gujarat, go back to Gujarat," "My name's Felani, Modi's not welcome."
The protesters also demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the BCL activists who carried out an attack on their demonstration on Tuesday, when at least 20 anti-Modi protesters from different left-leaning student bodies and five photojournalists were injured as BCL men carried out an attack on a demonstration against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit on March 26.