Published : 23 Nov 2025, 09:47 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:47 PM
Dhaka University (DU) has ordered all students to leave their residential halls by 5pm on Sunday, a day after the institution declared a 15-day closure in response to mounting anxiety over recent earthquakes.
The directive was issued following an emergency virtual meeting of the university’s Provost Committee, according to a statement by the DU administration.
Hall provosts have been tasked with ensuring that all students vacate their rooms by the deadline.
Students have been instructed to take their valuables with them and hand over room keys to hall authorities.
Dining halls and canteens across all dormitories will also remain closed.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior university officials and provosts.
The move follows Friday’s 5.7-magnitude earthquake, during which several Dhaka University students reportedly jumped from hall buildings out of fear. Three more tremors on Saturday intensified anxiety across the campus, prompting the university to suspend classes and exams before extending the break to 15 days.
Since Sunday morning, large numbers of students were seen leaving the halls with their belongings. However, some have chosen to stay on, citing academic pressures and a lack of alternative accommodation in the capital.
Farhad Hossain, a resident of Bijoy Ekattor Hall, said: “I have several job recruitment exams next month. If I leave the hall now, how will I prepare? I don’t have anyone in Dhaka.”
Another resident, Kazi Naushad of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, echoed the concern.
“The closure makes sense, but I can’t go home now. I have exams coming up. If I return home, I won’t be able to study. So I’ve decided to stay,” he said.
Many students who did leave said the university’s decision was “reasonable” given the psychological distress on campus. “There have been repeated tremors since yesterday,” said Karim Ahmed of Sir AF Rahman Hall. “What else can the administration do? They can’t rebuild the halls overnight. If they repair parts of them, it may become somewhat safer for us.”
Many students were seen leaving the halls on Sunday morning, but some said they intended to stay on.
Farhad Hossain, a resident of Bijoy Ekattor Hall, told bdnews24.com: “I have several job exams next month. If I leave the hall now, how will I prepare? I don’t have anyone in Dhaka.”
Another student, Kazi Naushad of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, said he had decided to stay because of upcoming exams: “If I go home, I won’t be able to study.”
Asked about those reluctant to leave, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said the administration had acted with students’ wellbeing in mind.
“Students should understand we didn’t close the halls on a whim. We hope they will recognise this, and we will speak to them,” he added.
