Despite its low prices, the food served at Rajshahi University’s Tapashi Rabeya Hall does not appeal to residential student Fariha Saeed Nisha, forcing her to leave campus for every meal in search of better food.
Travelling to food outlets, waiting to be served and chatting while eating take at least an hour per meal.
“I spend three to four hours this way every day. There are rickshaw fares to pay, and a single meal outside costs more than Tk100. This increases financial pressure, while the time lost also disrupts my studies,” Nisha told TIMES.
Hasibul Islam Hasib, a resident of Amir Ali Hall, shared his frustration.
“We could have used the time spent going outside for meals to study,” he said.
At hall dining facilities, lunch consisting of fish or chicken and vegetables costs Tk30, while a similar dinner costs Tk25. As at other universities, no arrangements have been made to provide breakfast.
Dining hall workers question how quality meals can be served at such prices amid rising commodity costs.
Students have demanded food subsidies for years, but the university administration has yet to introduce them.
Imam Hossain, a law student, said, “The quality of food itself shows how much importance the government attaches to university students.”
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman of the Department of Islamic History and Culture said, “Students are not asking for luxurious meals. They want quality food that meets their needs.”
Mohammad Jamal, who operates the dining facility at Habibur Rahman Hall, said, “If the administration provides subsidies, we will be able to serve better-quality food.”
Rajshahi University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said efforts were under way to secure funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
“We have held several rounds of discussions with the UGC and are making strong efforts to secure financial allocations for subsidies. Until a final decision is made, it is not possible to provide further details officially,” he said.
Fuad Ratul, convener of the university unit of the Socialist Students’ Front, said, “Without adequate and nutritious food, students are being deprived of essential nutrients, negatively affecting their academic activities.”
Students also complain about relatively higher prices at canteens, while those who can afford it eat at campus food outlets or restaurants outside the university.
Cleanliness at food shops near academic buildings has also come under scrutiny. Although the administration occasionally conducts inspections, conditions deteriorate again within days.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said, “Many students go to Binodpur and Station Bazar for meals. This increases both travel time and transport costs. The problem becomes particularly difficult during examinations.”
University Proctor Mahbubur Rahman told TIMES, “The surroundings of academic buildings cannot be allowed to turn into marketplaces. Once funding is available, initiatives will be taken to establish canteens and food courts to ensure hygienic, quality meals.”
Shibir-backed panel fails to fulfil Rucsu pledge
The second promise in the election manifesto of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel in the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) election was to “ensure quality food.”
The pledge is believed to have contributed to the panel’s electoral victory.
However, Rucsu failed to make any significant progress on the issue during its one-year tenure.
Students alleged that the union had done little beyond occasionally inspecting campus food outlets and hall dining facilities.
Ismail Hossain, a resident of Shaheed Suhrawardy Hall, said, “The quality of food remains the same as before. I have not seen any change.”
However, Rucsu Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid claimed that an initiative had been taken to allocate money from Rucsu’s fund to subsidise dining hall meals.
The university administration, however, informed them that Rucsu had no authority to provide such subsidies.
