Most of the students of Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology (MBUST) in Tangail reportedly have not found any accommodation on the campus. They are compelled to stay outside the campus, paying a hefty rent.
The public university was established in 2001 on the outskirts of Tangail city. It was named after the great leader Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.
Sources in the varsity said around 5,100 students study in 16 departments of four faculties.
However, only five halls have been built since its establishment. Of these, only three can accommodate students. FF Abdul Mannan Hall can house 73 students, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall 400 students, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall 54 students, the Alema Bhashani Hall 88 female students, and the Shaheed Janoni Jahanara Imam Hall 304 female students.
So, out of 5,100 students, only 919 students can be accommodated in the five halls. Many students even share beds in the halls.
The rest of the non-residential students have to put up in private messes and rented houses. A large number of messes have sprouted around the university. Taking advantage of the situation, landlords are allegedly charging high rents.
Abu Bakar, a second-year student, told this correspondent that the messes do not offer too many facilities. Power cuts are common, and the mess buildings lack sanitation, safe drinking water, and a healthy environment. Valuables are often stolen.
The students have to lead a sub-human life, he complained. The female students suffer even worse. Yet, the guardians are coughing up more for this kind of shoddy accommodation.
A teacher in the BBA department revealed that the teachers’ dormitories and quarters are also limited in number. They also have to live in rented houses in the town, and it is difficult to come all the way from there beating traffic jams.
Dr Toufiqul Islam, registrar of the university, admitted the accommodation problems of the students and teachers. He added that two more halls will be opened soon. The problems will be solved to some extent then.