Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) has published a report outlining its activities and accountability over the past year, highlighting various initiatives concerning student accommodation, transportation, healthcare, skills development, facilities for female students, research and academic activities.
The report also acknowledged that several initiatives remain under implementation, while a number of projects have been stalled due to administrative complications and other reasons.
Ducsu Vice-President (VP) Abu Shadik Kayem presented the activity and accountability report at a program in front of the Ducsu building on Thursday afternoon. Other Ducsu leaders were also present at the program.
Shadik alleged that the university administration has not yet provided the budget allocated for Ducsu.
“Throughout the year, the DU administration treated Ducsu like a stepchild. The administration remained non-cooperative throughout the period,” he claimed.
Despite what he described as “hundreds of instances of non-cooperation,” Ducsu committees carried out various activities during the year, including initiatives related to student accommodation, transportation, food quality in residential halls, health, education, research and publication, he said.
According to the report, Ducsu organized motorcycle and car driving training, basic first-aid training in residential halls and free spoken English courses to enhance students’ skills. It also arranged workshops on research, training on preparing research proposals, sessions on scholarships and higher education, and various programs including education and job fairs.
In the transport sector, the report mentioned the introduction of bus services on Saturdays, evening trips on various routes, dedicated bus services for female residential halls and a weekly Dhaka-Comilla bus service. It also said various initiatives had been taken to modernize the transportation system and expand bus routes.
In healthcare, the report highlighted initiatives to renovate the university’s medical centre, organize medical camps and provide specialized healthcare services.
The report also said an initiative had been taken to renovate the Ducsu building and use it as a skills development center. As part of efforts to facilitate international exposure for students and representatives, it also mentioned visits to various universities and institutions in China.
The report also highlighted the issue of introducing a teacher evaluation system. According to Ducsu, the proposed teacher evaluation system had been raised through the relevant academic process but could not be implemented due to administrative delays. Ducsu later launched a website titled “DU Teachers’ Evaluation” on its own initiative.
A significant portion of the report, however, focused on initiatives that have not yet been implemented or remain stalled. Ducsu attributed some of the delays to a lack of cooperation from the university administration.
Regarding the accommodation crisis, the report mentioned initiatives to construct new residential halls and buildings for students. It also claimed that Ducsu’s proposals concerning the seat allocation policy had not been properly considered.
On campus stability, Shadik claimed that no classes or examinations were suspended during the year due to campus unrest.
Alongside detailing Ducsu’s activities, the report highlighted various obstacles in coordinating with the university administration and initiatives that remain unimplemented. It stressed the need to complete the pending activities in the future.
Calling for the next Ducsu election to be held soon, VP Shadik Kayem said, “We want elected representatives to stand up for the rights of students.”