DU Correspondent :
Classes at Dhaka University (DU) resumed on Sunday after a 112-day hiatus, which included a 29-day summer vacation and Eid-ul-Adha break, followed by an 83-day closure due to protests by teachers and students demanding separate grievances.
The campus buzzed with life as students returned from dormitories and off-campus locations on Sunday morning. Many gathered at iconic spots around the university, carrying bags and notebooks, ready to rejoin their departments and resume classes.
While students from most departments returned to their classrooms without issue, a few departments, including Sociology and Criminology, saw a boycott from students who expressed objections over certain faculty members.
Speaking to students from the Sociology department, one shared their frustrations: “There are four teachers in our department who openly supported the fascist regime and collaborated with them during the protests.
They harassed and threatened students during the movement. We do not want to see them back in the department as our teachers.”
Shohidul Islam, a student from the Mass Communication and Journalism Department, shared his relief at returning to class: “After a long time, we finally attended class. Our seventh semester ended just before Eid-ul-Adha, and we haven’t participated in any academic activities since.
We won’t be able to complete our semester on time. It would be helpful if the university administration creates a gap recovery plan, as we are already a year and a half behind.”
The vacation period at DU began on 2nd June for summer vacation and Eid-ul-Adha. Classes were originally scheduled to resume on 1st July.
However, teachers at public universities began a work abstention that day, demanding to be excluded from the controversial Prottoy Scheme, which led to the suspension of academic activities.
The situation worsened when the government, led by the Awami League, shut down all educational institutions on 16th July following violent clashes related to the quota reform movement. On 17thJuly, DU administration closed the dormitories and the campus.
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, the university reopened its dormitories, but classes remained suspended until 21st September.In a poignant gesture, the DU administration observed a minute of silence to honour the martyrs of the student uprising.
The ceremony took place at the Nawab Nabab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, where DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed, the Treasurer, Proctor, and Deans of various faculties were in attendance.
Following the observance, the Vice-Chancellor visited classrooms and spoke with students about the university’s reopening.
“The decision to resume classes was made after discussions with all university stakeholders, including teachers and students.
We are seeking the cooperation of all parties—teachers, students, and the media—in ensuring that educational programmes run fairly, peacefully, and effectively,” stated Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan.
He further acknowledged the emotional toll the recent events had taken on students: “Our students are experiencing emotional trauma due to the anti-discrimination student movement.
We are actively working to resolve this trauma and the conflict between teachers and students. Measures will also be taken to address any deficiencies in the students’ education.”