Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) leaders have claimed credit for a development project approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) nearly two months before the Ducsu election.
They have also listed the construction of a women’s hall funded by the Chinese government and the modernisation of the university’s medical centre with assistance from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) among their achievements.
Ducsu presented a report titled “One Year of Ducsu: Activities and Accountability” at an event on 17 September, outlining its activities over the past year.
At the beginning of the report, the laying of the foundation stone for the Tk2,840.39 crore “Further Development of Dhaka University” project was listed as one of Ducsu’s achievements.
The university administration, however, says the project is being implemented through the university’s existing administrative framework.
According to information from Dhaka University’s Planning and Development Office, the Tk2,841 crore special project, aimed at improving the university’s overall environment and infrastructure, is primarily the first phase of the university’s long-term master plan formulated in 2020.
Although preliminary work on the project began in 2020, it gained momentum after 5 August.
Ecnec approved the project on 30 July last year, at least two months before the Ducsu election.
Professor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Dhaka University’s pro-vice-chancellor (administration), told The Business Standard, “Dhaka University’s development plan is many years old. Even before the Ducsu election, these plans were already being implemented as part of the university’s long-term master plan.”
He said, “This is their political claim. Ducsu may perhaps be thinking of itself as an alternative administrator or administration.”
Chinese-funded women’s hall
Ducsu has also listed the construction of a new 1,500-seat women’s hall at a cost of Tk244 crore under its “efforts to ensure healthy accommodation” and mentioned two rounds of discussions with the Chinese ambassador on the matter.
However, according to the university’s Planning and Development Office, the initiative began at least a year before the Ducsu election.
As part of efforts to address the university’s accommodation crisis through communication with several foreign organisations and governments, the Chinese embassy formally wrote to the university on 22 September 2024, expressing its in-principle consent to construct a hall.
Following receipt of the letter, the university authorities formed a special committee to carry out the necessary work.
Professor Alfasane told TBS, “Discussions on the issue with the university authorities began at the initiative of the Chinese government before the Ducsu election process started. The project was developed through discussions on various issues, including the selection of a site. It is not clear to me why Ducsu is doing this. Perhaps they want to use it as a cheap political strategy.”
TİKA-funded medical centre modernisation
Ducsu has also listed the modernisation of the university’s medical centre, costing around Tk3 crore with assistance from TİKA, as one of its achievements.
However, according to university administration officials, the university and TİKA signed a memorandum of understanding on 20 August last year for renovation and other development work at Shaheed Buddhijibi Dr Mohammad Mortaza Medical Centre.
University Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahanjir Alam Chowdhury and TİKA Coordinator Mohammed Ali Armaan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
The agreement was signed around three weeks before the Ducsu election.
Ducsu’s defence
M M Al Minhaz, Ducsu secretary for health and environment, told TBS, “We had been involved with the medical centre project even before the election. At the time, the treasurer objected because of our political involvement, so we stepped back in the broader interest.”
“After the Ducsu election, we became involved again. We held meetings with them and provided our input. We also provided input on the other two projects and tried to expedite their implementation,” he said.
Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem told TBS that the union had pressed the authorities to expedite implementation of the Dhaka University development project and ensure the prompt release of funds.
“We met the finance secretary, the adviser to the Ministry of Finance and representatives of around four or five ministries during the interim government to ensure that the Dhaka University development project was implemented quickly and that the project funds were released promptly,” he said.
“As student representatives, we pressed for action. That is the job of Ducsu. We were also present when the foundation stone of the project was laid. But after the BNP government came to power, the project was sent for review again,” he added.
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