Hajee Danesh University

Indefinite class boycott to press 3-pt demand

16 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Dinajpur

Female students of Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University block the entrance of the academic building yesterday demanding construction of new halls.Photo: STAR

The students of veterinary and animal science department at Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) yesterday began an indefinite class boycott to realise their three-point demand including enhancement of internship allowance. The two other demands are opening of master's class under vet faculty and introduction of education tour for the students. At a press conference at Dinajpur Press Club yesterday, the students of veterinary and animal science department alleged that the university authorities give Tk 4,300 instead of Tk 5,000 monthly allowance to each intern and are yet to provide necessary educational facilities for the student of the department. They demanded that the authorities increase internship allowance to Tk 6,800 as Chittagong and Shylhet vet universities are paying the amount to the interns. They also demanded payment of arrear allowance to 42 interns. The vet students urged the university authorities to meet their demands by March 17. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a tougher agitation programme the following day. Meanwhile, the female students yesterday laid a siege to the academic building of the university demanding construction of a new hostel for them. They also threatened class boycott from March 17 if the demand was met by this time. They withdrew the siege programme after an hour, as a three-member teachers delegation on behalf of the university authorities assured them of taking their demand into cognisance. They alleged the university has one female hostel with 359 seats for 1000 students. So seven to 10 female students have to stay in a room. “We have been demanding for construction of a new hostel for long, but the authorities concerned did not pay heed to the demand. Therefore, we have no other alternative but to launching movement to press for the demand,” they said. The acting VC Prof Ruhul Amin could not be contacted over cellphone despite repeated attempts.