After being closed for 112 days, Dhaka University (DU) finally reopened its classrooms on Sunday (22 September).
However, student attendance was noticeably lower than expected across various departments, despite the official resumption of classes.
Students expressed that although the university had officially reopened and classes were being conducted, the turnout remained significantly sparse.
As per the decision of the university’s syndicate meeting, classes for all academic years, except for the 2023-24 cohort, commenced today. Classes for the 2023-24 academic year are scheduled to begin on 30 September.
The university's academic activities had been halted since 2 June, initially due to the summer vacation and the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
However, class operations did not resume due to protests surrounding staff pensions and the student-led quota reform movement.
Although the university was originally set to reopen on 1 July, the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association announced an indefinite strike, demanding the cancellation of the "Prottoy Scheme."
University officers and staff members also joined the strike in solidarity with the teachers.
Simultaneously, Dhaka University students initiated a quota reform movement, which led to a boycott of classes and exams from 7 July onwards.
Former Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, resigned on 10 August, five days after the government was overthrown.
On 27 August, Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan from the Department of Development Studies was appointed as the new vice-chancellor.
A final decision to reopen the university was reached during an emergency syndicate meeting held on 13 September.
