DUCSU’s First Meeting: Key Decisions Outlined by GS Farhad

The newly elected representatives of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) officially assumed their responsibilities today, Sunday, September 14, following their first executive meeting held in a lounge adjacent to the Vice-Chancellor’s office. General Secretary (GS) SM Farhad, addressing the media after the meeting, stated, “We aim to represent all students and voice their concerns. We’ve agreed on key priorities and plan to devise a comprehensive strategy for swift implementation.” He added that discussions included sending five representatives to the university’s Senate, with decisions to be formalized in a gazette. The meeting also addressed the appointment of the DUCSU treasurer and core principles for student representation, noting that no regular elections occurred after 2019. Farhad emphasized, “The last DUCSU was in 2019, and we will soon announce our treasurer and publish our decisions.”

The meeting, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, began with the Vice-Chancellor, who also serves as DUCSU president, welcoming the representatives with flowers, a gesture reciprocated by the elected members. Farhad noted that speeches were delivered by the current Vice-President (VP), the treasurer, and the president, marking the formal start of the new committee’s work. Attendees included VP Md. Abu Sadiq (Sadiq Kayem), GS SM Farhad, Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Muhiuddin Khan, and other elected representatives. Sadiq Kayem remarked, “This marks the official start of our activities. Students will hold us accountable, and we will fulfill our promises. No one lost in this election; we will work together.”

The election, held on September 9, saw the Islami Chhatra Shibir-supported United Students’ Alliance panel secure 23 of the 28 posts, including the top three positions. The remaining five posts went to four independent candidates and one from the left-leaning Pratirudh Parishad panel. On Saturday, September 13, Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmad clarified that while there is no legal requirement for an oath-taking ceremony, tradition exists, and the Vice-Chancellor and DUCSU representatives will review past practices before deciding. The last DUCSU election took place on March 11, 2019, with representatives assuming duties on March 23. This year’s treasurer has been named as Professor Dr. M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the university’s treasurer.