Tk 2,800 Crore Project and 41 Significant Activities Drive Campus Revival

The Dhaka University (DU) administration has successfully navigated the post-August 5 administrative vacuum, revitalizing the campus through 41 major initiatives and a massive infrastructure overhaul worth approximately Tk 2,800 crore. In a press conference held this Saturday (January 31) at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, the administration provided a detailed account of its progress in development, student welfare, and the restoration of a democratic environment.

Restoring a Stagnant Institution

The administration highlighted the "fragile and stagnant" state of the university following the mass uprising. In the wake of the movement, the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-VCs, Proctor, and most Hall Provosts resigned under student pressure, leading to a complete administrative deadlock.

"Restoring the momentum of a broken university was our greatest challenge," the administration stated. "We have moved from a state of total instability to a path of institutional progress."

Key Milestone: Tk 2,840 Crore Development Project

A major highlight of the conference was the progress on the "Dhaka University Further Development Project," which received government approval (ECNEC) in late 2025. This project, with a total budget of Tk 2,840.39 crore, aims to fundamentally transform the campus infrastructure by 2030.

The project includes the construction of 41 multi-story buildings:

• Student Housing: 16 new residential halls, including 4 halls for female students (2,600 seats) and 5 halls for male students (5,100 seats). Notable plans include replacing the Shahnewaz Hostel with a 15-story building for 1,000 female students.

• Academic Facilities: 8 new academic buildings for faculties including Pharmacy, Fine Arts, Business Studies, and Botany.

• New DUCSU & Multi-purpose Building: The old DUCSU building will be replaced with a modern 12-story multipurpose facility.

• Administrative Upgrades: A 20-story and a 4-story administrative building will replace parts of the current Registrar Building.

• Health & Recreation: A 6-story Medical Center (Shuheed Intellectual Dr. Mortaza Medical Center) and modernization of the Central Playground.

Democratic Restoration: DUCSU and Hall Reform

The administration took pride in successfully conducting the DUCSU Elections on September 9, 2025, marking a return to student-led democratic politics after the "July Revolution." The elections saw a significant victory for the United Students' Alliance, with Shadik Kayem elected as Vice President (VP) and SM Forhad as General Secretary (GS).

Furthermore, the administration successfully cleared the residential halls of "Gono-rooms" and "student torture" practices, establishing a safer, seat-based allotment system for regular students.

Communication and Transparency

To bridge the gap between the administration and the student body, the university has implemented:

• Social Media Engagement: Regular updates on university activities via official platforms.

• Direct Emailing: The Public Relations Office now sends update emails directly to teachers and students.

• Rapid Resumption: All departments resumed classes within 30 days of the new administration taking charge.

A Focus on Institutional Continuity

The administration emphasized that these activities are not the achievements of a single individual but part of a broader goal to strengthen DU as a national institution.

"The strength of a national institution is its institutional progress, not its dependence on any one person. We want to ensure that this momentum continues consistently," the statement concluded.