Hall shortage at Comilla University hits female students hard

Female students of Comilla University demand its authorities provide them with accommodation on the campus as renting private houses are costing them a lot in addition to having a negative impact on their studies.
Only one, Nawab Foyzunnesa Chowdhurany Hall, out of the four residential halls at the university is for the female students. Hall Provost Assistant Prof Zillur Rahman said almost 300 students stayed there. The lack of space in the residential hall has forced nearly 2,000 female students to stay outside the campus.
The female students said a large number of them are staying in rented houses. "The life here is unbearable but it's costing us a good amount of money," one of them said. "It costs a lot to stay outside the university halls and it also lacks security," said Farzana Afroj Tumpa, a third-year mass communication and journalism student. She said she applied for a seat in the hall more than two months ago but there was no response yet.
Provost Zillur Rahman said 250 students had applied against 27 vacant seats. CoU Registrar Prof Dr Md Abu Taher said a new residential hall for female students is being constructed. "Sheikh Hasina Hall is expected to resolve the accommodation crisis," he said. "It is expected to be completed soon."
About the delay in construction work, he said, the contractor could not find enough workers, adding that the university authorities have also failed to put pressure on the construction firm.        -UNB