Will work to build a student-friendly campus

Arifullah, the vice president (VP) candidate of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Samannito Shikkharthi Jote panel in the Jucsu polls, has pledged to resolve session jams and build a student-friendly campus, if elected.

The Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union election is scheduled for September 11.

He also expressed a strong stance on holding Jucsu elections regularly.

In an interview with The Daily Star, Arifullah, a student of the Pharmacy Department, said, "Our first pledge is that Jucsu elections must be held every year. We will try our best to ensure that Jucsu is implemented annually."

Speaking about problems faced by students, he said, "Many departments are suffering from severe session jams. For example, in Pharmacy, it takes seven years to complete a five-year honours degree. Around 10–11 departments face the same issue."

"Also, due to insufficient allocation for education and research, Jahangirnagar University is falling behind in international rankings. If research is prioritised, the ranking will improve," he added.

Arifullah also highlighted shortcomings in campus healthcare and security. "For nearly 20,000 people, there is only a minimal medical centre where even primary treatment is hardly available. Moreover, the dormitories face frequent thefts. Overall security of the students is a major issue," he said.

He pointed to problems such as low-quality food in dining halls, inadequate internal transport, teachers' negligence, and environmental degradation.

Referring to his panel's manifesto, the Shibir leader said, "We will say 'Yes' to five things: annual Jucsu elections, ensuring sufficient and quality food in dining halls, a full automation system, a full-fledged medical facility, and an improved internal transport system."

"Additionally, we will say 'No' to five things -- drugs and extortion, the practice of 'come after lunch', ragging and cyberbullying, environmental destruction, and teachers' negligence in taking classes that cause session jams," he added.

Describing his panel, Arifullah said, "We have fielded a full panel of 25 candidates. Among them is a student injured during the July movement and six female students. Our GS candidate has worked with BNCC, the health secretary has long been active in the safe food movement, the transport secretary has worked on bus operations, and our female assistant GS candidate was vice president of the Jahangirnagar University Journalists' Association."

He further said, "After the July–August movement, many turned into leaders, but we have seen moral decline among some coordinators. Honesty is essential for leadership. Our organisation does not practise personality-based politics; rather, we practise organisation-based politics."

On the election atmosphere, he said, "So far, we have not seen any problems. We hope the university administration will ensure a fair election on September 11."