Dhaka University (DU) authority and Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) have collectively decided to donate Tk1.3 crore to the prime minister’s relief fund.
The university authorities have decided to donate Tk57 lakh that was kept aside for refreshments on the occasion of Bangla New Year celebration for all 18 residential dormitories.
DU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Akhtaruzzaman confirmed the matter.
“The amount will be deposited to the relief fund of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the approval of the [university] syndicate”, the VC said.
“The money was supposed to be spent for the university students. But the student representatives [Dhaka University Central Students’ Union – Ducsu] wanted it to be donated to the PM's fund,” he added.
On April 1, Ducsu requested the university authorities to donate the said unused expenditure – allocated for each of the 18 halls for the Bangla New Year celebration – to the prime minister’s relief fund.
DUTA to donate two days’ salary
Meanwhile, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has announced to donate the sum of two days' salary of all teachers (Tk73 lakh) to the same fund.
DUTA President Prof ASM Maksud Kamal told Dhaka Tribune that a cheque of around Tk1.3 crore from teachers’ salaries and refreshment allocation would be handed over to the prime minister by this weekend.
However, Ducsu Social Service Secretary Akhter Hossain asked the authorities to reconsider the donation and to spend the Bangla New Year celebration money for the university students only.
On April 2, Dhaka University suspended all programs and activities of Bangla New Year celebrations in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus in Bangladesh.
In line with the government decision, DU also extended the closure of its administration related offices and suspended academic activities till April 14.
