DU: lost glory

By Mahfuzul Haque, Dhaka
25 April 2004, 18:00 PM
Once it was known as the Oxford of the East, but now the fame is reduced to what cannot be called fame any longer. Still the students nurture a fascination to do their higher studies in the University of Dhaka, the country's number one seat of learning.

Students from all the corners of the country come here but they find their dreams shattered within a very short time. There are reasons behind the degeneration. First, the relation between the students and the teachers cannot be termed as what it should be. Teachers have become professionals ignoring the students and the classes. They always resort to 'unavoidable circumstances' to abandon a class. They are always busy , do not have the time to solve the problems of the students. If they talk, they talk as if the students were wasting their precious time- hence they talk hurriedly.

Now let's talk about the Central Library. Books are not available here, though the ancient card catalogues of the books are available. I myself did not get a book even after long one year, though the catalogue is available. If you are fortunate enough to find the books, you will have pages torn off. The students must be blamed for this but the collector at the desk has the responsibility to check and curb the crime. The Library is a good place for the lovers to do their 'dating'. Some students make clattering noise in the name of 'group study'. The students who do it should be subjected to punishment.

Transport for the students is a hazardous proposition. There are a few worn-out buses. The condition of the toilets in the dormitories and in the faculties is bad enough to make a person sick.

The university is passing through a grave crisis.