As the severe heatwave persists, Dhaka University (DU) has shifted its academic activities online.
However, female students residing in five halls are facing untold sufferings in the intense heat as the university doesn't allow ceiling fans in their rooms.
After interviewing a dozen students from all female residential dormitories, it has been learned that the university authorities opted not to install ceiling fans purportedly to prevent the risk of potential suicides.
The DU authorities, however, refused to comment on this regard.
Consequently, students have been compelled to purchase table fans on their own. But, amidst the ongoing heatwave, the absence of ceiling fans has turned the rooms into unbearable hotspots.
Additionally, the loud noise emitted by the small table fans disrupts concentration during study sessions, likened to the noise of a factory.
Except for Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, 7,298 students reside in the other four halls.
According to data obtained from hall websites and provosts of the halls, Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall accommodates 880 residential students against 372 seats in 93 rooms, while Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall houses 1,600 students in 252 rooms.
Ruqayyah Hall accommodates 3,500 students, and Shamsun Nahar Hall has 1,398 students.
Sanjida Ferdousi Reshmee, a resident student of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, said, "We personally installed table fans. However, these fans only provide airflow in a limited area. Two students have to share a single bed, and the airflow from the table fan barely covers one person.
“Moreover, we are not confined to the bed all day. These fans are ineffective during studying, praying, or other tasks. Additionally, there's a lack of space to place the fan. It's challenging to accommodate both the fan and two people on a small bed," she shared.
Amidst the heatwave where people are succumbing to the heat, we expect such basic amenities from the university, she added.
Reshmee added that the authorities should have provided ceiling fans, especially considering the severity of the situation.
Jannatul Islam Mim, a student of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, remarked that not installing ceiling fans to allegedly prevent suicide is like cutting off the head to cure a headache.
“We are using very small table fans, which produce huge noise. With eight students residing in one room, the noise generated by their table fans resembles that of a factory, causing considerable distraction during our studies," she said.
Ashrefa Khtaun of Shamsun Nahar Hall, mentioned, "Our rooms have ceiling fan hanging rings and arrangements, but the hall authority did not provide fans."
Trupa Basu added, "I reside on the top floor. Due to the absence of ceiling fans, the rooms have become extremely hot. We also face severe heat at night too."
Dr Nelofar Parvin, Provost of Ruqayyah Hall, said, "The newly built 7th March building is equipped with ceiling fans provided by the university authorities, while the remaining buildings do not have any ceiling fans."
She clarified that they do not provide table fans to students.
Dr Gawsia W Chowdhury, provost of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, stated that her hall has a strategy to install ceiling fans.
"There is a valid reason for which the university opted to not install ceiling fans in the girls' hall. However, the absence of ceiling fans does not imply that they cannot be installed. We have a strategy in place for installing ceiling fans in our hall. Some rooms in our hall already have ceiling fans installed.”
“To install ceiling fans, all students sharing a room must submit an application along with a declaration accepting responsibility for any incidents that may occur due to the ceiling fan. Following this procedure, the hall authority may grant permission for the installation of ceiling fans,” she added.
Upon failing to reach DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, who is currently abroad, the Bangladesh First contacted Pro Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Dr Muhammad Samad.
Dr Samad explained that it is not currently feasible to install ceiling fans in all halls.
He assured that he would address the matter with the vice-chancellor upon his return to the country.
