DU's 13 boys' halls for 22,000 students, only 5 for 20,000 girls: Why the disparity?

Dhaka University (DU), the country's premier seat of learning, currently has over 41,000 students grappling with acute accommodation shortages. A significant portion is forced to rent outside halls or messes. Despite near-equal numbers, there are eight boys' halls compared to just five for girls.

According to university sources, DU has 19 halls in total. The 13 boys' halls are allocated for 21,830 male students, while the five girls' halls cater to 19,787 females. There's also one international hall for foreign students. Currently, about 8,000 girls reside in the girls' halls, and around 14,000 boys in the boys' halls. Less than half of all students have secured hall seats.

Girls' halls face acute crisis

Begum Rokeya Hall, the largest for girls, houses nearly 3,000 students against 2,000 seats, with over 7,000 including non-residents. Kabita Sufia Kamal Hall, the next largest, has 1,000 seats but over 1,500 residents and 2,000 non-residents.

Shamsun Nahar, Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship, and Fazilatunnesa Mujib halls face similar shortages, with overcrowding forcing many girls outside. Banking beds in girls' halls exacerbates space and ventilation issues, creating discomfort.

Boys' halls also strained

Until August last year, guest room programs in the 13 boys' halls housed at least 1,500 students across 85 rooms. Now, all are allocated to residents, allowing first-year boys to stay legally. Yet, the 21,830 seats fall short for 21,830 students. The newly inaugurated July Shaheed Memorial Building provides 1,800 seats for 252 rooms.

Students' plight amid hall crunch

Both resident and non-resident students face hardships. Non-resident Syedda Reja from Kuwait Friendship Hall said, “Non-residents can't even rest in friends' rooms during class breaks. No permission to enter any hall, even our own.”

She added, “Hall-based events exclude non-residents. We're isolated from debating, cultural clubs, and networking. Emergency or exam time, no access.”

Resident Jannatul from Shamsun Nahar Hall said, “Reading rooms are always full. On holidays, long queues for washrooms. Banking beds block light and air; rooms feel dark and cramped. Hall authorities must act fast.”

Non-resident Sadiya said, “Most students come from outside Dhaka, so renting is costly and unsafe. A recent assault on a non-resident girl highlights the risks.”

Another non-resident noted, “Classes end early, but we wait for buses. Saturday exams mean transport woes. No hall access means missing activities.”

New initiatives

A DU notice states that to address girls' accommodation crisis, a Tk 2,841.86 crore project for four girls' halls and five boys' halls has been submitted to the government, potentially housing 3,000 girls and 5,100 boys.

Additionally, with Tk 244 crore Chinese aid, a new girls' hall named Bangladesh-China Friendship Hall is planned.

Under the World Bank's Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation Project (HEATP), residential scholarships for students will be introduced next academic year, though amounts are undisclosed.

A Tk 151.53 crore project will renovate 168 old buildings for conservation and beautification.

Administration's progress

Since 2011, 11 residential buildings for teachers, officers, and staff have been built. While the July Shaheed Memorial Building was inaugurated for boys, no new girls' hall has been added. Banking beds persist in girls' halls, leaving over half without seats. However, authorities aim to implement new projects by 2030.