Sazid Khan, NSTU Correspondent:
The only central cafeteria at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) has remained shut for months, causing significant inconvenience to students and staff. Despite repeated assurances from the university administration, the main hub for on-campus meals is yet to reopen. With no access to the cafeteria, students are left with little choice but to eat at nearby roadside stalls, often paying higher prices for food of questionable quality.
On April 13, 2025, the university authorities announced the indefinite closure of the cafeteria, citing inadequate maintenance, poor quality standards, and the lack of subsidies. At the time, they pledged to reopen it within two months after necessary improvements. However, four months later, no visible progress has been made.
Expressing frustration, Abdullah Muhammad Shamim, a student of the Political Science department, said, “How is it reasonable for a university to keep its cafeteria closed for so long? Compared to other public universities, the situation here is embarrassing. For four or five months, it has been completely shut. Ensuring safe and healthy food for students is a basic responsibility of the administration, alongside academic support.”
Regarding the reopening and quality improvement of the cafeteria,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof.Dr. Mohammad RezwanulHaque said, “We floated a tender with a budget of Tk 11 lakh. Initially, only one applicant responded, but they were not eligible. Last month, we invited tenders again, and several candidates applied this time. The eligible bidder will be awarded the contract. The tender process, as per government rules, took time. We hope to reopen the cafeteria within a month.”
Vice-Chancellor Prof.Dr. Muhammad Ismail added, “The first tender did not yield a qualified candidate, but the second one received four bids. Selection is underway, and work will begin after the work order is issued. We expect the cafeteria to be operational within 30 working days.”
Meanwhile, students have reiterated their demand for an immediate reopening of the cafeteria, stressing that access to affordable and hygienic food is a fundamental duty of any university. They have urged the administration to ensure such prolonged closures do not occur in the future.
