h Mehzabin Chitra, SUST Correspondent
A section of female students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has expressed frustration with the SUST authorities’ decision to collect last five months’ dues of the house rented for the first-year and second-year female students of the university.
The female students who reside in different houses rented by the university authorities have been asked to pay Tk 1,700 per month as house rent by August 25 despite the fact that the students are now staying at their respective homes after the announcement by the university authorities to temporarily shut the educational institution from March 18 for ensuring the security of the students in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
The university authorities have rented Fazal Complex, Samad House and Amir Complex for the first and second year students. These houses are completely run by the university authorities.
“We have not been staying at our respective rented houses since March 18. But the university authorities have asked us to clear all dues by August 25. It would be very difficult for our families to pay the dues during this critical period,” a student preferring anonymity said.
“My family is facing serious financial hardship due to ongoing corona crisis and floods”, another student said while adding, we urge the university authorities and landlords to waive our dues completely taking the present context into consideration.
When contacted Professor Dr Md Anowarul Islam, Treasurer, SUST, said they will consider the issue.
“We have already held a virtual meeting with the owners of the houses. They have informed us that they are not getting house rent for the last five months. We are under tremendous pressure from the landlords,” he told Bangladesh Post on Friday.
However, if any student faces financial crisis, she can apply to their respective hall supers for consideration, he added.
Replying to a query Professor Dr Md Anowarul Islam said seat crisis will go away as the construction work of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujub Hall will be completed immediately.
“When the construction of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall will be completed, our students will be able to stay in the university dormitories,” the SUST Treasurer added.
