After the renovation of the hall, the university authorities will reiterate its appeal to the UNESCO to declare the Curzon Hall and the Vice-chancellor's Bungalow as World Heritage Sites, as both of them are over 100-year-old, Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said.

"We hope to start the renovation work within shortest possible time," he added. The work will be carried out with funds from the Japanese government.

The balconies and minarets of the Curzon Hall and the attractive architectural patterns have been gradually decaying due to lack of maintenance.

Two years ago, the university applied to UNESCO for the recognition of Curzon Hall and VC's Bungalow as World Heritage Sites and it is still under process.

"The Curzon Hall and VC's Bungalow have passed 100 years, which are now parts of world heritage. So, the university authorities have taken the initiative to preserve them," Prof SMA Faiz said.

On February 19 this year, the socio-economic infrastructure department under the planning commission at its project evaluation committee meeting allocated Tk five crore for repair, renovation and reconstruction of the Curzon Hall and its surrounding buildings with a view to preserving the heritage and architectural values and for the construction of a dormitory for female students.

"The dormitory will be constructed with red bricks to have similarities with the Curzon Hall as it will be built in the same area," VC Prof SMA Faiz said.

The university received the first allocation of Tk three crore for 2006-07 financial year. Tk 70 lakh will be spent on the repair of Curzon Hall, he said.

The Curzon Hall was last repaired during the tenure of then Vice-Chancellor Prof Fazlul Halim who served from 1976 to 1985.

The architectural features of the Curzon Hall are a blend of European and Mughal elements. The architectural value of the building and its interior still attract many people from home and abroad.

The Curzon Hall with red-bricked building of Victorian architectural style was founded by Lord Curzon, the then viceroy of India. The hall marked its 100 years on February 19, 2004.