JnU Correspondent :
Students of Jagannath University (JnU) have launched a sit-in protest in front of the Ministry of Education, demanding urgent action regarding the development of the university’s second campus and other key issues related to the institution’s growth and governance. The sit-in, which began at 1 PM on Monday (November 11), has drawn attention to several unresolved matters, including the controversial handling of campus development and funding.
Gathering at the intersection near Shiksha Bhavan, the students presented a five-point demand list, calling for immediate reforms and accountability from the Ministry of Education.
The key demands include:
The students are calling for the work of Jagannath University’s second campus to be handed over to competent army officers within seven days. This follows concerns over delays and mismanagement under previous project directors appointed during the autocratic regime.
They demand that project directors appointed during the previous administration be brought under legal scrutiny for their role in mismanaging the campus development projects.
The students are urging the government to take immediate steps to acquire the remaining 11 acres of land for the second campus, and to cancel all agreements made with the previous administration that are seen as detrimental to the university’s growth.
They are requesting that Jagannath University be included in the recently announced Higher Education Assistance for Transformations (HEAT) project, a UGC initiative aimed at improving university infrastructure and educational facilities.
The students are demanding a significant boost in the university’s annual budget, proposing a minimum allocation of 500 crore Taka to ensure the development of world-class facilities and resources for students and faculty.
During the blockade, students chanted slogans such as, “We need Army contractors now; when will the second campus accommodations be ready? We demand our second campus; enhance our education pace; one, two, three, four, the campus is our right; all are fraudsters, the Army will be our contractors!”
At that time, one of the advisors of the interim government, Nahid Hasan comes to converse with students and showing intension to solve these problems within three working days, agrees with the demands of the students
Subhan Shourov, a student of English dept. Said, “Dhaka University has 21 halls, but it has been brought under the pilot project but Jagannath is deprived of all rights. Why are we not added? Until we get our demands redressed, we will continue the sit-in and siege program here.”
Shobuj Islam, a student from History department, claimed, “various University halls are being constructed, although we are lagging behind. Our students have to do tuition all day. We demand that the army should be given second campus work. The HEAT scheme that UGC has taken up is discriminatory.
Tausib Mahmud Sohan, spokesperson of the movement, said, “We will give a three-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Education regarding our demands, and give priority to Jagannath University for the HEAT project by today.”
Besides, more than 2,000 students have boycotted classes and exams to join the protest and they also show their protest in the social medias.
On this day, the students organization, Bangladesh Islami chatro Shibir of JnU wing attended the movement by giving full support to the fair movement of the students. Iqbal Hossain Shikder, president of the JnU Shibir, said, “we have full support for any fair movement of students.
We are directly involved in the movement today. The new campus should be handed over to the army to complete the work in an orderly and speedy manner. Also Jagannath University students should be given priority in hit projects.
Meanwhile, On Thursday, UGC introduced revisions to the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project to provide continuous high-speed broadband connections in residential halls and make sure funding for scholarships for underprivileged, meritorious students. Dhaka University is considered the pilot project under this proposal