Ducsu polls: Shadik pledges to build dream campus with excellence, dignity, fairness
In an interview with The Business Standard's Shahriar Azam, he discussed his political journey, the election atmosphere, and his panel's promises, including reforms in teacher recruitment, research facilities, and campus safety.
Abu Shadik Kayem, a vice president candidate in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, says his mission is to build a "dream campus" based on academic excellence, dignity, and fairness for all students.
In an interview with The Business Standard's Shahriar Azam, he discussed his political journey, the election atmosphere, and his panel's promises, including reforms in teacher recruitment, research facilities, and campus safety.
Why did you join student politics?
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My journey began with the struggle for a fair academic environment. I came to Dhaka University with dreams of academic excellence, but those dreams were broken in the halls. Even though I topped my department, I was denied the right to study and forced into programmes. That frustration drove me to resist the "guest room" and "gonoroom" culture.
You say you resisted repression. What did that involve?
I joined the quota reform movement, the nationwide road safety protests, and the mobilisations after Abrar Fahad's murder. Whenever repression occurred, we contacted journalists and human rights defenders to help the victims.
Do you trust the Election Commission to ensure fairness?
Honestly, no. After the July uprising, people's expectations are high, but the commission's actions raise concern. Some decisions clearly favour a certain group, and the nomination irregularities, along with defaced posters, show this.
Why should students believe your panel is different?
We stand for unity in diversity. Our panel includes not only supporters of our ideology but also critics. Each candidate balances activism with academic excellence, and many were top students in their departments.
Critics say DU is over-politicised. Will you add to the problem?
No. Our main goal is to make the university an academic institution. Political awareness will remain, but academics and research will always come first.
What reforms will you focus on if elected?
We will reform teacher recruitment and promotions to reward merit, not political loyalty. We also plan to modernise libraries, raise research budgets, give free access to global journals, and digitise administrative services for efficiency.
How will you address the dormitory shortage?
It won't be solved immediately. As short-term solutions, we'll push for new dorms, arrange rented hostels, and provide scholarships for female students.
What about food and healthcare?
Food security can be improved with professional management and proper nutrition plans. The medical centre should also be upgraded to offer better services for students.
Campus safety is a major concern. What's your plan?
Safety is a top priority. We'll set up digital complaint boxes for harassment and enhance measures against cyberbullying, with urgent attention to women's security.
What does your slogan "We won't stop until we build the dream campus" mean?
For us, a dream campus means academic excellence, fair seat allocations, food security, safety, and dignity for every student. Winning or losing is secondary; the main goal is to meet the hopes of students and honour the martyrs of the July uprising.
