DU dorms opening on May 17

Amid ongoing agitation by students, Dhaka University authorities yesterday decided not to hold any exams or reopen student dormitories before May 17.

In accordance with the recent decision by the education ministry, Dhaka University (DU) dormitories would not open and no major exams would be held before May 17, said the university's Vice-Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman.

He came up with the announcement hours after the university's academic council made the decision yesterday morning.

Students will have to get vaccinated before moving into dormitories. But, if anybody cannot get inoculated due to physical condition, their case will be considered as per doctor's prescription, the VC said.

The council also decided to complete giving the first dose of the vaccine to all students and teachers of the university within April 17.

Asked about the exams schedule announced for the seven DU-affiliated colleges, he said the university authorities would hold a meeting shortly to decide on it.

On Monday, a section of DU students staged agitation demanding reopening of dorms by the end of February so that they could stay at the halls from March 1.

Contacted, one of the agitating students Tanvir Alam Chowdhury said they would chalk out their next course of action later.

On Monday, Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that in-person classes at universities would resume on May 24 after the Eid-ul-Fitr and student dormitories at those universities would reopen on May 17.

Meanwhile, in Jahangirnagar University, agitating students vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands, including reopening of the halls, are met.

They came up with the decision at a press briefing at the university's transport yard yesterday afternoon.

Apart from this, the students also demanded arrest of those, who allegedly attacked students at Gerua Bazar on February 19.

At least 30 students were injured in the incident.

A day later, students broke into at least six halls.

However, the university authorities yesterday started vacating the halls and issued a notice postponing all types of exams, the schedule of which have already been announced.

In Kushtia Islamic University, students yesterday announced that their movement would be beef up if the dormitories were not reopened by March 1.

The students came up with the demand at a press conference on campus.

They termed the government decision of reopening student dorms on May 17 "unreasonable" and alleged that the government did not want to normalise educational activities.

A students' delegation also met the university VC and placed their demands.

The VC, however, said they would act as per the education ministry's directives.

The university's acting registrar yesterday issued a notice postponing all examinations until May.

[Our Kushtia and JU correspondents contributed to the report]