Dhaka University authorities on Sunday reopen its dormitories for all students after 18 months of closure due to Covid-19 outbreak.
On Sunday morning, many students were seen waiting in front of their dormitory gates. As soon as the doors of the dormitories were opened, the students entered into the halls in a festive mood.
The students started entering their halls from 8:00am showing their vaccination cards and valid university identity cards.
Most of the hall authorities have already installed hand washing basins at the entrance points.
According to the authorities, dining rooms, canteens, reading rooms and restrooms of the dormitories have been cleaned.
According to the authorities’ decision, only regular students will be allowed at the dormitories after getting at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
Provost Standing Committee convener and also provost of Bijoy Ekattor Hall Professor Abdul Basir said, ‘Our students are very cooperative. They are entering their dormitories following our guidelines.’
Earlier, Dhaka University authorities reopened its dormitories only for the students of honours final year and the master’s from October 5.
On Tuesday night, the Provost Standing Committee of the university decided to reopen the dormitories for all students on October 10.
Later, the Academic Council of the university decided to resume in-person class from October 17 as per the recommendation of the Provost Standing Committee.
This time, the authorities have decided to abolish a so-called ‘Gana rooms’ system which is a controversial issue for both teachers and political students’ organisations.
Dhaka University vice-chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzamn visited Muhammad Shahidullah Hall and Begum Rokeya Hall on the day.
Earlier, defying the official decision to reopen the residential halls of Dhaka University on October 1, a huge number of male students forcibly entered their dormitories, excepting Bijay Ekattar Hall and Sir AF Rahman Hall, though the female dormitories of the university remained vacant.
Later, on Saturday evening, the Provost Standing Committee in a meeting decided to serve a show-cause notice to the students who entered their dormitories violating the authorities’ decision.
The same committee also decided to form a committee to identify the students who had entered the halls during the closure for the next course of action.
Meanwhile, the university authorities have decided to impose a Standard Operating Procedure on students after reopening the halls.
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