What should be our university culture in a new Bangladesh?

Thinking about the future of public university campuses in Bangladesh in the new reality that emerged on August 5, 2024 raises profound questions about the direction in which we are headed. Once considered bastions of learning and intellectual pursuit, these institutions have increasingly become arenas for political machinations. The troubling reality that the vice-chancellor of a public university once prioritised allegiance to the ruling regime over the noble calling of teaching is a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched politics has become in academia.

The faculty, expected to serve as mentors and guides, are often seen displaying a spectrum of political affiliations, further polarising the academic environment. Under previous administrations, the impartiality of educators was glaringly absent. Instead of championing the legitimate concerns of the student body, these teachers ignored the issues, leaving students to fend for themselves.

The students in Bangladesh's public universities have become the most egregious victims of ineffective and often indifferent administrations. This administrative neglect has created a toxic environment where students struggle with a severe shortage of seats in university halls. Instead of addressing this issue, university administrations turn a blind eye, allowing political goons to exploit the situation. This manipulation is not accidental, but deliberate, all for maintaining control and securing political gains.

For male students, the situation in the residence halls is dire where the authority of university administrations are absent and student political leaders aligned with the ruling party run the show. All administrative responsibilities are handled by these enforcers rather than university administrators, solidifying their authority and fostering an atmosphere of exploitation and fear. 

In the female halls, students face harassment and undue challenges in the name of "security and rules." A student of Dhaka University once described to me the harsh reality of strict gate-locking policies, which leave students stranded if they return late, with the security instructed to deny them entry. The administration's cold response is to suggest that these students find refuge with local guardians or relatives—a cruel and inhumane expectation, particularly for those who have no such support in the city.

This disregard for student welfare not only reflects a profound failure of leadership but also underscores the deep-rooted issues that plague the very institutions meant to nurture the future of the nation.

A multifaceted approach must be pursued to create an environment where education and research thrive, free from the stranglehold of political interference, with the aim to transform the current toxic culture of universities and residential halls. Regardless of a student's political affiliation, teachers should offer the same honour and assistance to all of them.

To safeguard against exploitation, a transparent system for allocating seats based on need and merit should be implemented and monitored by an impartial body. In addition, better living arrangements that guarantee access to wholesome food and a peaceful, distraction-free study space free from political thugs are required in these residence halls.

It is imperative that hall unions as well as central student unions are reactivated in our public universities. By actively defending their rights and bridging the divide between the student body and the administratios, these organisations should act as the voice of the student body. It has to happen to bring back and regularly hold union elections. To ensure that the results of these elections accurately reflect the wishes of the students and are not swayed by political forces, they must be free and fair.

In this reimagined university environment, students should no longer have to struggle for basic necessities like seats in residential halls. Instead, they should be able to focus on their studies, engage in meaningful research, and take full advantage of global opportunities. This can only be achieved if the administrations, teachers, and student unions work together with the shared goal of creating liveable, equitable, and academically vibrant campuses.

Monira Sharmin is a columnist and an independent researcher. She can be reached at monirasharmin111@gmail.com.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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