Eight Chinese students are leaving Dhaka University (DU) ahead of schedule following a series of crude bomb explosions on campus that raised security concerns.
Two have already returned to China, while the remaining six are scheduled to leave on Friday.
The students had come to DU to attend a special course on the Bangla language and Bangladeshi culture offered by the university's Institute of Modern Languages (IML). They were originally scheduled to complete their course and examinations and return home in late November.
Professor Dr MA Kawser, provost of Sir P J Hartog International Hall, the university's residential hall for foreign students, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Thursday.
He said the eight students from China's Guangdong University of Foreign Studies became concerned after a series of crude bomb explosions on campus. Their families were also worried, prompting them to decide to return home early on the advice of their university.
The students were initially scheduled to return after completing their examinations in the last week of November. However, two have already left, while the remaining six have confirmed their flight tickets, Professor Kawser said.
He recalled that two of the students were passing near one of the explosion sites when a crude bomb went off. Witnessing the incident left them frightened and prompted their decision to return to China.
He added that the students would complete their remaining examinations through their university after returning to China.
Meanwhile, the hall authorities discussed campus security with other foreign students on Wednesday afternoon. They were assured that measures were being taken to strengthen security at the hall and across the university. The other students are currently monitoring the situation.
The IML offers special Bangla language courses for foreign students, providing an opportunity to learn about the language and culture of Bangladesh.
According to institute data, 15 students from two Chinese universities participated in the program in 2024, 19 from three universities in 2025 and 26 from four universities in 2026. Students from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies are among the participants.
Crude bomb blasts
A series of crude bomb explosions has rocked different parts of the DU campus over the past few days.
At least eight crude bombs exploded at six locations on Sunday evening.
Another explosion occurred in the TSC area on Monday.
Although no one was injured in those incidents, the explosions sparked panic across the campus.
On Tuesday, another crude bomb exploded in front of the academic building of the Faculty of Business Studies, injuring one person.
A separate explosion was also reported in the Shadow area beside the Faculty of Arts building on the same day.
