Almost all newly established universities in the past 15 years started their academic activities without their own campuses or necessary facilities. According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), there are currently 172 universities in the country. Of these, 57 are public universities, with 28 established during the last 15 years under the Awami League government. Most of these new universities began academic activities in rented buildings. Even universities founded decades ago have failed to ensure sufficient housing facilities for students. As a result, students face various problems, including safety concerns, which affect their academic lives.
UGC data shows that academic activities are ongoing in 50 public universities. Among them, only Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), and Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) provide 100 percent housing for their students. Additionally, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Gazipur Agricultural University provide housing for over 90 percent of their students, with 98 and 94 percent respectively. Six other universities offer between 50 and 85 percent housing facilities. The remaining 39 universities provide housing for less than 50 percent of their students. Analysis of UGC’s latest annual report reveals that 70 percent of students in 21 universities do not have access to housing.
Currently, Jagannath University (JnU) is the most behind in housing facilities. With about 17,527 students, it has only one dormitory with 700 seats. University sources say that students nearly double the dormitory’s capacity currently live there. After Jagannath College was converted into a university in 2006, students repeatedly protested demanding solutions to the housing crisis, but no resolution came. Most recently, this month, students again started protests with three demands: until housing is ensured, a housing stipend for Jagannath University students must be implemented from the FY 2025-26; the proposed full budget for Jagannath University for FY 2025-26 must be approved without cuts; and the second campus of Jagannath University must be approved at the next ECNEC meeting and implemented as a priority project. When the protests intensified, the government agreed to the students’ demands on Friday (May 16) and announced that departmental action would be taken within seven days.
Dr. Md Abdus Salam, a Professor at the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, said, “Ensuring a suitable environment and necessary facilities for quality education is essential. But the way universities have been established one after another during the previous government has threatened the standard of higher education. Most universities started academic activities without providing enough classrooms, labs, or housing for teachers and students. In many cases, operations began even before land acquisition was completed. Housing shortages have become one of the biggest problems in public universities.”
He added, “Although Jagannath College was converted into a university, necessary facilities have still not been ensured even after 20 years. For other universities established in the past 15 years, political motives were mainly factors. The government’s main focus was simply to start operations by any means. Proper educational environment was not prioritized. Following recent student protests, the decision to convert seven colleges into universities also raises concerns that without proper planning, situations like Jagannath’s may arise again. For this reason, the government should consult with educators and stakeholders to take long-term, far-reaching measures.”
Analysis of the UGC’s latest annual report shows that 21 public universities provide 30 percent or less housing facilities. Among them, Jagannath University (JnU) has 4 percent, Rabindra University (RUB) 4 percent, Bangladesh University of Professionals 5 percent, Pabna Science and Technology University 12 percent, Begum Rokeya University (BUP) 12 percent, Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) 16 percent, Bangladesh Medical University 17 percent, University of Chittagong (CU) 19 percent, Bangladesh Maritime University (BMU) 20 percent, Comilla University (CoU) 21 percent, Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU) 21 percent, University of Barishal (BU) 23 percent, Jashore Science and Technology University (JSTU) 27 percent, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) 27 percent, and Islamic University (IU) 28 percent student housing facilities.
Chandpur Science and Technology University (CSTU), Kishoreganj University, Habiganj Agricultural University (HAU), Kurigram Agricultural University (KuriAU), Sunamganj Science and Technology University (SSTU), and Pirojpur Science and Technology University (PRSTU) still have not been able to build their own student dormitories.
Housing shortages also persist in the country’s older universities. At University of Dhaka (DU), the oldest university in Bangladesh, only 45 percent of students currently have access to housing. Similarly, at University of Chittagong (CU), established in 1966, just 19 percent of students have housing facilities.
Professor Dr. Md Anwar Hossain, former Vice-Chancellor of Jashore Science and Technology University (JSTU), said, “Providing housing is essential to ensure that teachers and students can focus properly on education and research. Especially for universities outside Dhaka, the housing shortage significantly increases students’ safety risks. Most of these universities are located far from district towns. Suitable housing and adequate security are often lacking in surrounding areas. As a result, students frequently face various difficulties. Locals sometimes exploit this situation to extend their influence.”
He added, “One of the main reasons for these problems in public universities is budget constraints. The government should take initiatives to ensure adequate facilities at the universities that have been established. The budget for higher education must be increased. Issues like the housing shortage should be addressed as a priority.”
Meanwhile, the laws governing Science and Technology Universities require that housing facilities be provided to students. Provisions also exist for hostel facilities if needed as well. However, most universities have not taken effective steps to implement these directives.
Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) student Rishad Hossain shared, “Due to the housing shortage, most of our students live off-campus. Sometimes mess owners form syndicates and raise rent. There is also no guarantee of security. Female students often face harassment. In 2022, a female student at the university was gang-raped. There have also been clashes between local residents and university students due to harassment incidents.”
However, the universities say the main reasons for the housing crisis are a lack of government initiative and budget constraints. Speaking to Bonik Barta on condition of anonymity, a Vice-Chancellor of a Science and Technology University said, “There’s not much a Vice-Chancellor can do in such matters. Project approval and budget allocation are in the government’s hands. We can submit proposals, but even then, not much is granted. Especially, universities outside Dhaka receive comparatively less priority. Navigating bureaucratic complexities in project approval is also difficult. Often, project approval depends on recommendations and influence.”
On the overall issue, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz told Bonik Barta, “We are committed to the universities. We are working on various issues, including increasing the budget. We are trying our best from our position to solve the problems.”