The dormitories of Dhaka University, the oldest university of the country, have got back their dynamism as the halls have been reopened for its boarders after a long closure of one-and-a-half-years.
Authorities of each hall welcomed its students with flowers and other gifts following social distance and vowing to follow health guidelines inside the dormitories, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall Provost Dr Masudur Rahman told BSS.
As per the decision of the DU syndicate, only vaccinated final-year honours and master's students are being allowed to enter halls showing their valid documents and proof of at least single dose of a Covid vaccine, he added.
Each hall of the university has installed hand-washing basins at entrances and placed some banners and festoons on Covid-19 to raise awareness among the students, he said, adding "We have left no stone unturned to keep every corner of the hall premises neat and clean besides renovating dining rooms, canteens, cafeterias, reading rooms, toilets and bathrooms."
"Today is a day of happiness. The students, the main stakeholders of the university, are coming back to the dormitories. The university campus has got back its sparkle," DU vice-chancellor Akhtaruzzaman told BSS after visiting Bijay Ekattor Hall on Tuesday morning.
The decision of allowing the first, second and third-year students to the residential halls will be taken soon as the Covid infection rate is decreasing and students are taking vaccine shots, he added.
Students were seen taking pictures and chatting with friends in halls, crowding in reading rooms, guest rooms and canteens as they have got back to their very familiar and lovable place after a long.
Students were in a cheerful mood as they queued up to enter their respective residential halls, wearing face masks and adhering to mandatory Covid-safety protocols.
"I am feeling very happy and excited for coming back to my hall after a long. I have met my friends, juniors and seniors as they are like my family members. In fact, it is difficult to imagine varsity life without the hall," said Shawly Sarker, a fourth-year student of the English department and also a residential student of Ruqayyah Hall.
"It's really exciting to come back to halls as most of our academic activities, materials and set-up are hall centric. The process and arrangements of hall authorities regarding health safety issues while welcoming the students were good," said Shakhawat Hossain Shanto, a final-year student of the Institute of Education and Research.
However, the decision will be cautious if the authorities allow all the vaccinated students to halls as some departments and institutions are holding exams both online and offline, he added.
The decision of partially reopening hall is not well cautious as it grows concerns among the residential students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd years as they have to take preparation for exams, he furthered.
Source: BSS