Restore learning environment at Barisal university

Those who have visited Barisal University (BUBT) know that the campus is still quite disorganized. The buildings are scattered, many areas resemble forests, and the entire campus appears somewhat abandoned from a distance. Yet, the university is 14 years old. After the foundation stone was laid in 2011, academic activities began on January 24, 2012. Even more concerning is that the university has always had an unstable environment due to various reasons.

According to news reports on Monday (February 17), despite more than a decade passing since the establishment of Barisal University, it still hasn’t fully developed into a complete institution. Tensions between the faculty and administrative staff are causing instability in both administrative and academic activities. Session jams are increasing, administrative chaos is escalating, and infrastructure and other development projects are being hindered.

The reports further reveal that in the 14 years since the establishment of the university, every vice-chancellor has faced protests for various reasons. The conflicts between faculty members and administrative staff have led to movements, which have also incited students. As a result, the vice-chancellors have been unable to focus on the university’s development, spending most of their time managing instability. The latest vice-chancellor, Shuchita Sharmin, faced demands for her resignation, and in two separate incidents, her office and residence were locked, and the main gate of her residence was vandalized.

Students have stated that out of nearly 10,000 students, only 1,500 have housing facilities in four dormitories. For teaching students across 25 departments, 75 classrooms are needed, but only 36 are available. Due to a shortage of classrooms and teachers, session jams are increasing in most departments. As a result, students are stuck in session jams ranging from six months to one and a half years, leading to rising mental stress and frustration.

Barisal University began its journey as the 33rd public university in the country. Before the independence of Bangladesh, there was a demand for a university in the Barisal region due to the absence of any higher educational institution there. Although this dream was fulfilled much later, it still remains unachieved due to political reasons. The university exists, but it lacks a fully functioning academic program—this is deeply unfortunate. The government has spent millions to establish a university, and thousands of students in the southern region depend on it—so why is the university in such a dilapidated state?

Due to repeated protests, the most affected group is the general students. The COVID-19 pandemic, the unrest following the July coup, and the subsequent instability had already caused a long-term halt in educational activities. Amid this, internal conflicts led to further instability, leaving students helpless. University students have expressed their concerns, stating that most of the movements at the university were driven by the personal interests and conflicts of the faculty and staff, with students being incited in the process. Some demands and grievances were attached to these movements, trying to present them as being in the students' best interests, but in reality, students gained nothing; instead, they suffered.

We urge the Ministry of Education to pay close attention to the university. The unstable environment must be eliminated, and a proper learning atmosphere must be restored at the university. A university is not just the dream of thousands of students; it is the dream of a nation. A university has the power to transform an entire region. If such a university gradually deteriorates, it will be a great regrettable situation.