A vet college cries for funds

The campus of Dinajpur Veterinary College built at a cost of Tk 30 crore has become virtually lifeless because of uncertainty. Its funding has been stopped at it has not been included in the government's revenue budget. PHOTO: STAR

The institution was built under a development programme, which expired on June 30 this year.

All funding for the institution has been stopped and the staff did not get their salary for the month of July, students joined by teachers' representatives told a press conference at Dunajpur Press Club on Saturday.

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The staff are passing days in great uncertainty after the college authorities got an official letter from Dhaka that the institution can not be transferred under the revenue budget. Students of the college earlier staged demonstrations demanding inclusion of the college in the revenue budget.

At the press conference, the students demanded integration of the college with Haji Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) by creating a new faculty to ensure continuation of their academic life.

ASM Moniruzzaman, a third year student, read out a written statement at the press conference on behalf of students and staff. Some teachers were also present.

After the press conference, the students formed a human chain in front of Dinajpur Press Club to press the demand.

The then Awami League government in 1997 initiated setting up of the college on a 10-acre land beside the HSTU along the Dinajpur-Dhaka highway, five kilometer off the town under a development programme of the ministry of education.

The administrative building, hostel for the students, training facilities and staff quarters for teachers been constructed at a cost of about Tk 30 crore. Many facilities are yet to be created, the students and teachers told the press conference.

The DGVC authorities at different times appointed 112 employees including 35 teachers.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the DGVC on April 23, 2003, when the institution began academic activities. The five-year curriculum includes one year internship. There are three departments. Fifty of the students are in the third year of their academic life at the college.

Principal of the college later told this correspondent that many of the teachers are thinking to leave the institution. This has created frustration among students, he said.