Rangpur: Students of the Geography and Environmental Sciences Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), initiated a hunger strike on Sunday, demanding a five-point solution to the ongoing session jam among other issues. The protest began in front of the main gate of Academic Building-2 around 11 am.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the students’ demands include conducting the fourth-year first-semester final examinations by November and the second-semester examinations by March 30. They also seek the publication of examination results within four to six weeks after the end of each semester. Additionally, the students demand that no participant in the movement faces discrimination or retaliation in marks or evaluation. They are also requesting a written assurance from the university administration to implement these demands.
The students have vowed to continue their strike until their academic activities are regularized, results are published timely, and the session jam is resolved. A protesting student highlighted that the third-year first-semester examinations, which began in November last year and concluded in December, have yet to have their results published even after nearly 10 months, adding to the uncertainty and disruption in their academic lives and future plans.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, head of the department, acknowledged the session jam, attributing it to a shortage of teachers and classrooms. He stated that the department requires five laboratories but currently has only two, and mentioned recent initiatives to address these problems through discussions with students. However, he expressed surprise at the students’ decision to go on a hunger strike.
Professor Dr Mosha Sifat Rumana, chairman of the examination committee for the 2021-22 academic year, explained that the delay in publishing results was partly due to teachers taking time to submit marks. She anticipated that the results would be published by today, emphasizing that the responsibility was not solely hers.
Professor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, Registrar (additional responsibility) of the university, confirmed that the institution is facing certain crises and limitations. He mentioned that the results of the first semester of the third year are currently being processed for publication. He also noted that steps have been taken to complete a semester within six months, with students agreeing to attend classes on Fridays and public holidays if necessary, expressing optimism that the issue would be resolved soon.