Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan faces bureaucratic constraints when implementing campus development projects, as his financial approval authority is limited to just TK 30 crore.
Speaking to Daily Observer, Mohammed Zabed Alam Mrida, Superintending Engineer at Planning and Development Office, explained that all major building projects within the university's TK 28.4186 billion masterplan exceed this threshold and therefore require Chief Adviser's approval.
"Interestingly, the Vice Chancellor's masterplan buildings don't fall under his approval authority. All such projects, each exceeding 100 crore taka, must be approved by the Chief Adviser," Mrida stated.
Despite these limitations, the current Vice-Chancellor has made remarkable progress in advancing long-delayed development initiatives. "What hasn't been done in past six years has been achieved in last six months under Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan," Mrida emphasised.
The ambitious masterplan includes 31 buildings—comprising 9 hostels, 6 academic buildings, 9 lobbies, and various ancillary structures including the Central Mosque and DUCSU building. Officials recently addressed 29 planning observations during the pre-ECNEC stage.
Dr Khan's proactive leadership approach has been instrumental in navigating complex approval processes. "Wherever he was requested to go, he went. He pushed through these projects by holding authorities accountable for any loss to students," Mrida noted, describing Khan as "very student-friendly."
Five projects have already received OPEC approval, including initiatives for affordable campus food, mental health support, pharmaceutical research, and preservation of Salimullah Muslim Hall as heritage site.
The entire masterplan has now advanced to ECNEC for final review, with implementation potentially beginning in July. University officials have conducted comprehensive assessments addressing disaster vulnerability, environmental impact, and accommodation needs.
Current accommodation arrangements reveal significant disparities and overcrowding challenges. While the new developments will resolve male students' housing problems, female accommodation remains problematic due to land constraints. Sufia Kamal Hall currently houses 920 students per acre—far exceeding the recommended 350 students per acre under Bangladeshi regulations.
"About 74% of DU's female students come from rural areas. Around 70% come from lower-middle-income families. They can't afford housing outside campus," explained Mrida. "But the university must operate within rules."
While Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving campus infrastructure, the TK 30 crore financial delegation limit highlights bureaucratic challenges facing university leadership. As the massive development plan moves forward, this spending constraint necessitates continued collaboration with government authorities, potentially complicating the timely delivery of much-needed campus improvements, particularly for accommodating the university's increasingly diverse student population.
NRE/HKJ
