University of Dhaka has allocated residential hall seats to a group of long-enrolled students – some admitted as far back as 2005–06 – under what officials describe as “special consideration”, raising questions over policy compliance and political influence.
Documents seen by TIMES of Bangladesh show that on 7 Oct 2025, six such students were allotted seats at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall following interviews and recommendations from residential teachers. Similar allocations have been made across several halls to students from various cohorts, including 2005–06 through 2014–15.
University rules require undergraduate degrees to be completed within a maximum of six years, with postgraduate programmes also bound by fixed timelines. By that standard, students admitted 14 to 20 years ago no longer retain student status.
Among the recipients are students enrolled in psychology, chemistry, electrical and electronic engineering, mathematics, and soil, water and environment departments. Some have held or continue to hold political affiliations, according to hall representatives.
One of the longest-enrolled students, admitted in 2005–06, said he had been expelled following a campus altercation in 2008 and later returned to complete pending examinations. He added that he no longer resides in the hall and has requested the seat be reassigned.
Another recipient, originally admitted in 2010–11 and previously expelled, said he was re-enrolled after recent political changes and applied for hall accommodation. He, too, said he chose not to occupy the seat due to concerns over potential tensions.
Hall authorities said the allocations stem from a broader decision to reinstate and accommodate students who had previously been excluded. The provost of Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall said 29 students were re-admitted during the tenure of a former vice-chancellor, with seats granted in halls where they had prior attachment.
A member of the provost standing committee said that, following decisions taken after 5 Aug 2024, a total of 36 students were allowed re-admission and residential access under existing rules, citing prolonged deprivation as justification.
However, student leaders allege that the allocations were influenced by political considerations and carried out in violation of standard procedures. They also point to a lack of action on accommodation shortages for current students.
The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union has issued a one-week ultimatum to the administration to address the housing crisis for new students, following protests outside the registrar’s office earlier this week.
Vice-Chancellor ABM Obaidul Islam said the university is not fully residential and cannot provide accommodation for all students. Ensuring housing for everyone before classes begin would require suspending academic activities, he added.
The allocations underscore ongoing tensions over hall management, student politics and resource constraints at one of the country’s largest public universities.
