Students of 2 DU depts to boycott class

Students of two departments of Dhaka University yesterday decided not to take part in academic activities for an indefinite period amid coronavirus fears.

In addition, four students went on a hunger strike around 9pm in front of the university's Raju memorial sculpture demanding immediate suspension of all academic schedules.

The boycott decision came from students of the departments of zoology and economics yesterday, after they held two polls in their respective Facebook groups on whether they should continue or boycott academic activities.

"We organised a Facebook poll where students from all five (current) batches opined to boycott all academic activities. Class representatives of the batches have informed the chairperson of this decision in writing and notified other teachers via E mail," Sarjis Alam, a class representative of the zoology department told The Daily Star.

Contacted, chairperson of the department Prof Humayun Reza Khan said, "We have no jurisdiction to suspend class, only university syndicate can take such a decision. I have told teachers to attend classes but if the students do not come then classes will be considered automatically cancelled."

"We cannot ask students to take part in classes in such a situation if they do not wish to come," he added.

Students of Economics department organised a similar poll where 650 current students voted in favor of boycotting classes.

Meanwhile, students from some departments of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) have appealed to authorities concerned of the university seeking suspension of all academic activities. 

"Class representatives of some departments have contacted me and some have submitted application demanding suspension of all academic activities. We are yet to take any decision in this regard. If the students want this, and if health experts advise accordingly, then we will take a decision on this," Buet's Directorate of Students' Welfare Prof Mizanur Rahman told The Daily Star.