DU admin structure to be activated in a week: Prof Niaz

Dhaka University's newly appointed vice-chancellor, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, announced that the university's administrative functions, including those of the halls and departments, will be gradually activated within a week. 

He made this statement during a press conference at his office on Thursday (August 29).

Professor Niaz clarified, "It is not accurate to say that classes will start this week or that the university will fully reopen. Our priority is to activate our administrative team within this week, which will enable us to gradually resume operations, starting with the halls and then the departments."

He further explained, "There has been some confusion, with reports suggesting that classes would begin in a week. What we intend is to get our team—comprising the two pro-VCs, treasurer, registrar, and others—operational within this timeframe. The focus will initially be on reactivating the halls, followed by the departments. This process will begin this afternoon."

Earlier on August 27, various online and print media outlets published news stating, "University activities will start within a week," leading students to believe that academic activities would resume within that period. Professor Niaz emphasised that this interpretation is not correct.

In a separate conversation with journalists on Wednesday, Professor Niaz highlighted that the focus of student politics should be on academic issues. "I believe that if politics is to be done on campus, it should be related to education. We will talk about curriculum, the relationship between the university and society, and the connection between students and teachers. These should be the main aspects of student politics," he said.

He added that a broader social consensus is needed to determine whether such politics should exist on campus, noting, "It is difficult to decide on our own."

When asked about making the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) effective again, Professor Niaz said he would focus on making the university's existing structures operational to ensure that students' and teachers' opinions are considered. "However, we will know how long it will take after discussions with the stakeholders."

He also emphasised the importance of freedom of expression for students and teachers, as enshrined in the Dhaka University Order of 1973. "Those who founded the university designed its structures with these elements in mind," he remarked.

The university will prioritise rebuilding the necessary administrative structure within a week to resume academic activities.