Hasan Al Manjur (DU), Ragbi Raj (RU) and Sk Shoaib (SAU)
Amid the growing fear over the spread of coronavirus in the country, students of several public universities yesterday boycotted classes demanding the suspension of academic activities. They also demonstrated on the campuses pressing their demands, report our Correspondents.
In Dhaka University (DU), students of almost all departments decided to boycott classes following a meeting among class representative of respective disciplines on Sunday, reports our DU Correspondent. First-year students, mostly the resident ones, also demonstrated in front of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture demanding the temporary closure of the campus.
They also submitted a three-point memorandum to the DU vice chancellor (VC).
Addressing the gathering a student, Shawkat Hossain said, “We urge the VC to postpone all academic activities and we want go home." The students also demanded medical camps be set up on the campus to run coronavirus test and proper treatment in case any student is found to have contracted from the virus.
The Dhaka University’s Central Students Union (DUCSU) also submitted a memorandum to the VC demanding temporary shutdown of the campus. In the memorandum, the DUCSU urged the authorities to start summer vacation prior to its scheduled time, provide hand sanitisers to student dormitories, and control gatherings and vehicular movement.
Earlier on Saturday, three third-year students of DU went on a fast unto death demanding shutdown of the campus. They, however, broke their hunger strike on authority’s assurences. Meanwhile, the DU authorities called an emergency meeting for Monday to come to a unanimous decision over the prevailing situations, said Proctor Golam Rabbani.
Rajshahi University
A section of Rajshahi University students on Sunday demanded suspension of academic activities, reports our RU Correspondent. Students held a human chain in front of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Senate Bhaban on the campus around 11 am pressing their demands and protesting the authorities’ inaction.
The protesting students were seen carrying placards inscribing the messages – “(We) Demand for university closure to fight control! Suspend Classes, Defend Corona!” Blaming the university authorities for not taking preventive measures, the protesters demanded immediate closure of RU.
Students were roaming around on the campus, if anyone got infected with the coronavirus it would spread further, they warned. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) in Dhaka boycotted classes demanding the suspension of academic activities, report our SAU Correspondent.
A group of students announced the boycott at a media briefing on the campus within an hour the SAU authorities suspended the all exams. Jamiul Porosh, one of a students, told the briefing that the living condition at the SAU poses risk to the students of being contracted from the virus.
“Given the circumstance, suspension of exam can’t be a solution, classes must be suspended until the situation improves,” he added. Exam suspended Prior to students’ boycotting the classes, the SAU authorities, at a meeting, decided to suspend all examinations to avoid any possible worst-case scenario.
SAU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Pro-VC Prof Sekender Ali, deans of faculties, director of student welfare, proctor, provosts, and chief medical officer were present at the meeting. “All examinations will remain suspended until further notice,” VC Prof Ahmed told the media after the meeting.
“We are yet to receive any notice from the education ministry to suspend the academic activities and await a government order,” the VC added. Pro-VC Prof Ali said that they would take necessary measure to tackle the coronavirus situation. “It’s a matter of taking self-caution and we will work to raise awareness among the students,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association (FBUTA) urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to steps in to shut all academic institutions temporarily as a preventive measure to tackle coronavirus, FBUTA President Prof ASM Maksud Kamal and Secretary General Prof Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan said in a joint statement on Sunday.
