Md Abdur Rakib, JnU:
Jagannath University (JnU) authorities are celebrating it’s 20th founding anniversary amid festivity and cultural events.The University chalked out many vivid programs including procession, fixed meal as well as various cultural and band music performance. In 2005 the college was converted into Jagannath University by the ‘Jagannath University Act’ passed by the National Parliament and they celebrate university day on October 20.
To mark, even after twenty years of the establishment of Jagannath University (JnU) from the traditional Jagannath College, the university authority has not been able to solve the fundamental matters of students. The administration has taken responsibility for resolving all the current problems of the university by assuring that all problems will be solved by transferring the campus in Keraniganj. This has not only increased the problems but also brought stagnation in administrative work and slowed down the speed of work of office activities.
After 20 years of establishment the accomodation problem of about 18,000 students of Jagannath University (JnU) has become more apparent. Despite shining the image of the country in education and research, there is no adequate transportation, canteen, lab, library and medical facilities. Students say that due to the lack of housing facilities, they have to suffer in the mess,
and there have even been many cases of leaving their studies and moving to the village due to not being able to raise money for food and accommodation.
Scarcity of housing facility :
After 20 years, JnU lacks sufficient residential halls for its students. For instance, the university is noted to be “the only public university in the country without a dormitory for male students” and has only one dormitory (for female students) that is severely overcrowded. Because of this shortage, many students are forced to rent in expensive private housing in Old Dhaka or commute long distances. The student body is protesting this situation: they demand housing allowance for 70% of students and the completion of new campus hall facilities. In this situation ,the university has taken some temporary measures: for example, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the As Sunnah Foundation to arrange temporary accommodation for 700 students. The issue is also tied to budget shortfalls because JnU reportedly receives significantly less funding than peer institutions, which impacts its ability to build halls and infrastructure.
Four major buildings at risk :
The four major building of Jagannath University (JnU) including the administrative building are counting their routine activity at risk. Plaster and concrete from ceilings and walls have been falling, cornices are breaking off, and visible cracks are present. The Vice Chancellor of JnU has confirmed that renovation files have been approved – but that the work will take time. A broader urban safety article states that unsafe buildings in Dhaka (including those of educational institutions) continue in use despite warnings. Students urge to treat these warnings seriously, and to avoid using any building that has been officially declared unsafe until corrective actions are completed.
Lack of class rooms :
The JnU campus in Old Dhaka is one of the most crowded academic spaces in the country. The growth of student numbers and departments has not been matched by proportional growth in physical infrastructure. New departments are being opened despite lacking rooms. Many departments have only two class rooms tht can not fullfil a healthy academic atmosphere and classrooms are overcrowded, with students often forced to wait outside until space becomes available. Physical constraints of the existing campus including land and building condition make it hard to build new blocks or extend easily. Budget allocation appears to lag behind the need, which hampers construction of new classrooms, renovation of old ones, etc
Desertification over the second work :
The university has already received the full 200 acres of allocated land in the Paschimdi Mouza, Keraniganj Upazila for the second campus. The Ministry of Planning approved the Revised Development Project Proposal (RDPP) for the second campus in May 2025. After many complexities
the government handed over the work to the Bangladesh Army under delegated procurement procedures. After many years, there is no visible improvement of second campus work and it seems to take a few years to complete the entire work. Many students showed concerns over the authority that they are not serious to complete the second campus work within a quick time specially. They demand to build some hall buildings in a quick time and the visible progress of the campus.
Ashraful Islam, a student (2020-2021) from English department said, We have passed a glorious 20 years, but the undeniable truth is that the students are still facing various problems and limitations. They cannot even meet their basic needs. There are not enough halls, and the students are forced to live in messes where they struggle and face different difficulties that create both mental and physical health issues. There is a shortage of classrooms, and students do not even get a proper place to spend their break time sitting. Though we have a cafeteria, it is quite insufficient compared to the number of students. This university has failed to create a sound and student-friendly environment.
