Ducsu claims credit for development projects approved before election

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) leaders have claimed credit for a development project approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) nearly two months before the Ducsu election on 9 September last year.

They have also listed the construction of a women's hall funded by the Chinese government and the modernisation of the university's medical centre with assistance from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) among their achievements.

Ducsu presented a report titled "One Year of Ducsu: Activities and Accountability" at an event on 17 September, outlining its activities over the past year.

At the beginning of the report, the laying of the foundation stone for the Tk2,840.39 crore "Further Development of Dhaka University" project was listed as one of Ducsu's achievements.

The university administration, however, says the project is being implemented through the university's existing administrative framework.

According to information from DU's Planning and Development Office, the Tk2,841 crore special project, aimed at improving the university's overall environment and infrastructure, is primarily the first phase of the university's long-term master plan formulated in 2020.

Although preliminary work on the project began in 2020, it gained momentum after 5 August.

Chinese-funded women's hall

Ducsu has also listed the construction of a new 1,500-seat women's hall at a cost of Tk244 crore under its "efforts to ensure healthy accommodation" and mentioned two rounds of discussions with the Chinese ambassador on the matter.

However, according to the university's Planning and Development Office, the initiative began at least a year before the Ducsu election.

Professor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Dhaka University's pro-vice-chancellor (administration), told TBS, "Discussions on the issue with the university authorities began at the initiative of the Chinese government before the Ducsu election process started. It is not clear to me why Ducsu is doing this. Perhaps they want to use it as a cheap political strategy."

TİKA-funded medical centre modernisation

Ducsu has also listed the modernisation of the university's medical centre, costing around Tk3 crore with assistance from TİKA, as one of its achievements.

However, according to university administration officials, the university and TİKA signed a memorandum of understanding on 20 August last year for renovation and other development work at Shaheed Buddhijibi Dr Mohammad Mortaza Medical Centre.

University Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahanjir Alam Chowdhury and TİKA Coordinator Mohammed Ali Armaan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

The agreement was signed around three weeks before the Ducsu election.

Ducsu's defence

MM Al Minhaz, Ducsu secretary for health and environment, told TBS, "We had been involved with the medical centre project even before the election. At the time, the treasurer objected because of our political involvement, so we stepped back in the broader interest.

"After the Ducsu election, we became involved again. We held meetings with them and provided our input. We also provided input on the other two projects and tried to expedite their implementation."

Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem told TBS that the union had pressed the authorities to expedite implementation of the DU development project and ensure the prompt release of funds.

"We met the finance secretary, the adviser to the finance ministry and representatives of around four or five ministries during the interim government to ensure that the Dhaka University development project was implemented quickly and that the project funds were released promptly," he said.