To transform Jahangirnagar University (JU) into an inspiring, strong, and vibrant institution, the JU unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has proposed a 41-point reform plan.
This includes ensuring a safe campus for female students, taking strict action against drug dealing on campus, addressing issues of dormitory control, student harassment, and terrorism, ensuring justice for killings.
The proposal came from a press conference at the university's student-teacher center on Sunday.
The event was led by Abdullah Al Mamun Sakir, publicity secretary of the JU branch of Shibir, with President Harunur Rashid Rafi and Secretary Muhibur Rahman Muhib present.
Other points in their proposal include healthcare and rehabilitation for activists injured in July, investigating and ensuring justice for violence during anti-autocracy movements, declaring July 16 as "Terrorism Prevention Day" at JU, renaming university buildings, preserving the memory of the July revolution, ensuring accessibility for disabled students, high-speed internet, adequate infrastructure for each department, reopening Jucsu (Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union), dormitory and department-wise student council elections, releasing a white paper on development project corruption during former VC Farzana Islam's tenure and other VC's tenures, systematic seat allocation in residential halls, improved dining and cafeteria services, and enhancing the quality of food at canteens.
They also demand scholarships, financial aid, educational loans, an academic master plan, exam schedule reforms, opportunities for students to work as paid research assistants (RA) and teaching assistants (TA), budget allocation for research, full medical facilities, a creative cultural environment, infrastructural development, environmental conservation, removal and reduction of unnecessary fees, a quality teacher salary structure, ending commercial educational programs, recruitment process reforms, administrative modernization, opportunities for foreign student admissions, admission test reforms, modernizing library services, necessary renovations for sports fields and gyms, strengthening campus security, establishing a university press, waste management, facilities for religious worship, preventing ragging, bullying, and racism, establishing an indigenous cultural center, and revising the 2018 student disciplinary ordinance by removing oppressive clauses.
During the press conference, Shibir Secretary Muhibur Rahman Muhib mentioned plans to form a full committee soon.
He said their activities had been restricted for a long time but had received responses from like-minded students after announcing open activities on campus.
Muhib said they would bring these students through a process and announce a full committee at the right time.
After reading the proposals, Shibir leaders said they aim to work as a student organization to build a fair, safe, modern educational institution with equal opportunities and respect for all students.
They believe that an effective and integrated education system will not only improve the quality of education but also build a strong, aware, and morally responsible future generation.
On October 29, Shibir leaders declared their political activities at JU after 35 years of suspension since 1989.
