SUST halls in Sylhet reopen after 19 months

After nearly 19 months, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) opened its residential halls and welcomed students with flowers and banners.

Only vaccinated final-year honours and masters students were allowed to enter the halls after showing valid documents and proof of receiving at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Students of other sessions will gradually be allowed to enter the halls in phases within the next few days.

SUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed welcomed the students after joining a ceremony virtually held at the television room of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.

Provosts of the five SUST dorms were also present at the function.

VC Farid Uddin said, "Health guidelines will be strictly maintained inside the dorms. We (authority) will be vigilant in ensuring that no one illegally occupies the dormitory seats."

Students were seen in a cheerful mood as they were waiting to enter their halls after a long time.

Sajjad Bhuiyan, a first-year masters student of the university's Political Studies department, said, "After a long break, we have been able to enter our residential halls. The good management of the hall authorities has impressed us."

Physical classes are likely to begin in some departments from the first week of November. However, online classes will continue, university authorities said earlier.