Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) is set to construct a 12-storey women's residence hall at an estimated cost of Tk 118.58 crore, as part of a broader infrastructure development initiative aimed at easing the institution's accommodation shortage.
According to university authorities, the government has allocated around Tk 600 crore for HSTU's infrastructure development in the current fiscal year. The funding includes plans for two 12-storey residential halls, one of which will be named after former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Enamulya said the hall is being named in recognition of Khaleda Zia's association with Dinajpur, where she spent much of her childhood and school years. He added that construction work is expected to begin soon.
The vice-chancellor also said Khaleda Zia's family, including her late elder sister and former minister Khurshid Jahan Haque, had contributed to the development of Dinajpur.
Assistant Engineer Md Enamul Haque said the project would be the university's first 12-storey residential building. The hall will have 303 rooms with accommodation for 1,212 female students, with each room designed to house four students.
The building will include offices for the hall provost and assistant provost, administrative offices, a common room, prayer room, dining and kitchen facilities, guest rooms, a laundry and a stationery shop.
According to the engineering department, the hall will also feature 23 lifts, 44 staircases, six toilets and four bathrooms on each floor, 10 generator rooms and 12 security rooms.
The university's Director of Public Relations, Md Khademul Islam, said preparations for the project have been completed and construction is expected to begin shortly.
