Throwing the ball in the government's court, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor AKhteruzzaman today said the final decision to reopen the university's residential halls amid Covid-19 would depend on the directives of the Health Ministry.
"The decision to reopen the dormitories before the exams has to be taken at the national level, and that too, after taking into consideration the advice of the health ministry experts," the VC told a delegation of student union leaders.
"A letter from UGC on Wednesday clearly said that the halls should remain closed. However, the exams can be conducted. At the moment, reopening an educational institution is a national decision. But we do not want to go beyond that and put the nation at risk," Akhteruzzan added.
UNB had earlier reported about the growing clamour for reopening of the dormitories in the wake of Dhaka University's decision to hold final-year exams for honours and master's programmes from December 26.
Addressing the delegation, the vice chancellor said, "I do not disagree with the students' demand. But we have to take into consideration the pandemic situation. If anyone takes a hasty decision today, it could pose a huge risk to the country."
Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Dhaka University unit president Sanjit Chandra Das and general secretary Saddam Hussaian led the meeting, where proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani was also present.
Meanwhile, several student organisations including Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Parishad of Dhaka University (DU) today continued their protest, demanding residential facilities before the commencement of exams.
