JnU students attends exam wearing helmets for ceiling collapse fear

Safety concerns have risen at Jagannath University (JnU) after a portion of the plaster ceiling in the mathematics department seminar room collapsed, injuring two students.

Following the incident, many students are now attending classes and exams wearing helmets.

The accident took place during a class on Wednesday morning (April 1), leaving Tanvir Niyaz Fahim and Mahfuzur Rahman Mitul, both from the 2024–25 batch, injured.

Students say several academic buildings on campus have long been in a precarious condition, with ceiling plaster frequently falling.

A similar incident had occurred previously in a faculty room of the same department.

Following yesterday’s accident, students of the 18th batch of the mathematics department took classes and exams Thursday wearing helmets. “There’s no certainty when plaster might fall on someone’s head, so we are using helmets,” said student Naeem.

Another student, Noyon, added, “Even after two students were hurt, the administration has not taken visible action. Attending exams in such a risky classroom feels unsafe, hence the helmets.”

JNU Chief Engineer Helal Uddin Patowary said the administration has identified vulnerable areas and planned repairs. “Funds are being allocated for major renovations. The design and cost estimates for the Science Building renovation are complete. Some structural cracks were hidden by false ceilings, making the risk difficult to detect, but the ceilings are now being removed,” he added.