Even though Dhaka University, known as Oxford of the East, has stepped into 104 years, the university authorities have yet to ensure proper educational facilities for students.
The university is still beset with many problems like accommodation crisis, lack of library and research facilities, sexual harassment, ragging culture, and floating vendors.
Accommodation crisis
Now 37,018 students are studying at the university. Of them, 22,662 are residential students. But more than 14,000 students do not stay at halls due to a shortage of dormitories. Besides, many students stay in ‘gono’ (common) rooms.
Library and reading room
The authority concerned has yet to ensure proper library facilities for a large number of students.
According to sources in the central library and hall reading rooms, the capacity of central library and hall reading rooms is around 6,000.
Lack of healthy food
Residential students who come from different parts of the country have to take food with low nutrition. And the cost of food is beyond their capacity. Students from low income families face difficulties in fulfilling their basic needs.
DU lags behind in digitisation
In the 21st century, characterized by rapid technological advancement, DU lags behind in digitalisation. Students are still queuing up for admission. Students must be present in person with necessary documents and money to complete the admission process.
Floating vendors
Preventing floating vendors from entering the university is one of the biggest challenges facing the authority concerned. They are not only polluting the environment by throwing plastics but also destroying the academic environment. Hence, outsiders gather at the campus which causes sound pollution.
While talking about these issues, VC Prof ASM Maksud Kamal said, “In the last senate session, we have discussed all these issues. We know that we have a shortage of dormitories and library facility. So, we have started to deal with these issues.”
“We have created a database of former and present students so that we can prevent unathorised students from entering the dormitories. We have also plans to increase the heights of buildings so that our accommodation crisis can be resolved.”
He also said, “We have proposed increasing subsidy for all dormitories so that we can ensure hygienic food for the students. Moreover, we have put forward a proposal to the government for raising budgetary allocation so that students can get opportunity to attain practical and theoretical knowledge.”
Sexual harassment
In last six months, at least three female students of the university faced sexual harassment. They were allegedly harassed by their teachers. Moreover, at least eight incidents happened where female students were harassed by their male friends or seniors.
DU lags behind in research
DU is still lagging behind in research mainly due to a shortage of equipment and funds.
Emeritus Professor Dr. Khondoker Bazlul Haque said, “Dhaka University had a glorious past. Dr Satyendra Nath Bose worked with Albert Einstein. There were a large number of researchers who were internationally recognised. But at present time, there are a great shortage of research. And Dhaka University still has lack of good research.”
The DU VC said, “We have devised a master plan to turn it into a research-based university. This year we have increased the budget by 0.5 percent for research than the previous year. We have also plans to turn the institution into R2 University by 2035 and R1 by 2045.”
