Comilla University teachers, students suffer

Even after 18 years since its establishment, Comilla University (CoU) has yet to have its own electricity sub-station. Despite frequent power outages, the university lacks any generator backup. With inadequate power supply even in normal weather and frequent load shedding, academic activities, research, online classes, and daily campus life are regularly disrupted.

In contrast, universities established around the same time—such as Noakhali University of Science and Technology (NSTU)—have generator facilities during power failures. Universities like Dhaka University (DU), Chittagong University (CU), and Islamic University (IU) enjoy uninterrupted power supply, but CoU remains without an independent power connection or generator system.

On May 22, students submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor demanding an immediate solution and sustainable power supply. Two days later, on the night of May 24, students held a protest march in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence addressing the same issue.

Students and faculty at the university say that even a light rain or thunderstorm results in power outages. This recurring issue severely affects the lives of both residential students and faculty, as well as the overall academic process. They demand a swift and permanent resolution to the problem.

Maya Islam, a resident student of Nawab Faizunnesa Chowdhurani Hall, said, “Among all the hall facilities, electricity is the most essential. But for the past few days, frequent load shedding has made life difficult. Sometimes the power is out for hours. This causes a water crisis in the hall. The Wi-Fi barely works—even when power returns, it cuts off again before reconnecting. Many of our courses are online, and power cuts disrupt them significantly.”

Adnan Saif, a resident of Bijoy-24 Hall, added, “Much of our education is now tech-based. With multimedia projectors and online course platforms, power disruptions create serious obstacles in our academic life. Teachers often can't continue classes when the electricity goes out. Even slight clouds or wind can trigger an outage. For residential students, it's worse—hours without power in the heat makes it hard to rest.”

Teachers are also suffering. Frequent outages are hampering the normal rhythm of teaching. Despite modern classrooms equipped with technology, power failures render such tools temporarily useless.

Dr. Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Khan, Assistant Professor of Archaeology and Provost of Bijoy-24 Hall, said, “Ensuring uninterrupted electricity at the university is essential. The frequent power disruptions hinder both academic and administrative functions. In particular, the residential halls suffer from water shortages and poor internet connectivity, which significantly affect students’ daily lives and studies.”

According to the university’s engineering department, electricity to Comilla University is supplied by the Kotbari sub-station. Although 600 kilowatts have been approved for the university, records show that the highest supply so far has been 500 kilowatts. The university engineer added that the use of rice cookers, heaters, electric stoves, and irons is causing voltage instability.

Md. Zakir Hossain, Superintending Engineer (Electrical) at the university, said, “Our power supply comes under the Kotbari sub-station, which also serves Comilla BARD, Polytechnic Institute, Cadet College, TTC, and other institutions in the Kotbari area. So, any maintenance work or storm damage—like fallen trees on the line—shuts off electricity to the entire area.”

He added, “Students in residential halls are using rice cookers, heaters, electric stoves, and irons, which draw more electricity than the circuit’s capacity. This overload leads to circuit burnouts or disconnections.”

Regarding power capacity, he said, “We’ve requested 600 kilowatts from PDB, and it’s being supplied. Our recorded consumption so far hasn’t exceeded 500 kilowatts. So there’s no supply shortfall.”

Pintu, Assistant Engineer at the Kotbari sub-station, said, “We are supplying electricity according to the university’s demand. The usage has not yet crossed the demand limit (demand charge). Since the Kotbari feeder supplies multiple institutions, a fault anywhere causes outages in all connected locations. Load shedding also occurs simultaneously across the entire shared feeder.”

He further explained, “The 5–10 minute outages sometimes observed are not actually load shedding—they are temporary disconnections needed for line repairs.”

On the topic of a separate sub-station for the university, he said, “The university has an internal sub-station, but for a main sub-station, the university authority needs to submit a formal request to higher officials detailing their power requirements. The decision entirely rests with the university.”

Addressing the recent power crisis, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Haydar Ali said, “We seriously discussed the power issue at the recent syndicate meeting. Our power line runs through a forested area, which leads to disconnections even during mild storms.”

He added, “We’ve decided to install underground power lines, like at Dhaka University. A formal proposal will be sent to the government soon. If implemented, this initiative could greatly reduce power outages.”

Regarding generator facilities, he said, “BUET has generator backups, but such systems are extremely costly and time-consuming to implement. At the moment, we are not considering this option.”