Concern over new look of TSC after renovation

The Teacher-Student Centre, popularly known as TSC on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, was established in 1961. It is set to be renovated keeping its old structure as part of the university's birth centenarycelebrationsin 2021, reports UNB.
The university authority primarily approved the new design provided by ThePublic Works Department (PWD) of the government but the construction work will start after Prime Minister's approval. Before that, PWD proposed to rebuild TSC entirely, which sparked debate and anger among students, teachers and alumni.
Later, the authorities instructed PWD to form a new design keeping its old structure. After several meetings, both stakeholders signed off on the new design.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2 said a plan to modernize Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), TSC and Shahbagh's Public Library. "Dhaka University is our university and we want to build TSC in a modern way," said the PM on that day.
She also said thatshe hadalready directed the authorities concerned to prepare its design in a proper manner.
According to the new draft design, TSC's present structure will not be demolished. A 10-storied new building will be constructed where theswimming pool is now located.
"The new facility will be built and incorporated with the existing structure. It will include rehearsal rooms for cultural activities, rooms with modern facilities for TSC-based socio-cultural groups, indoor games room, separate cafeteria, two auditorium, gymnasium, teachers' lounge, two basements for vehicle parking, and more," said Acting Director Syed Ali Akbar.
He said the entrance of the new buildingwould be fromthe west of TSC. The construction work will be started from the back wherenow theswimming pool is situated.
"Our engineering section is not involved with the designing or construction work, moreover the PWD will do as per the prime minister's instruction," he continued.
Mir Manzurur Rahman, Chief Architect, Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, said, "We did a draft design following DU's requisition. We cover almost all of the requisition including two auditoriums, a lecture theater, a gymnasium and some office space and others. We insert these requisitions into 10 storied building and Dhaka University is happy with our design."
"Old existing structures will not be rebuilt. We will just renovate existing structures as per necessity," he added.
The TSC director provided a requisition list to the university's engineering department, which was subsequently submitted to PWD on October 18 by the DU authorities.
The acting chief engineer of DU AbulKalamSikder said, "PWD will provide the new design to the prime minister and if she approves the design, they will start construction work."
DU pro vice-chancellor (administration) Prof Muhammad Samad said, "This design is acceptable. It will be handed over to the prime minister through PWD and final work will start if the PM approves the design."
Prof Samad hoped that construction work would begin soon under the direct concern of the prime minister.
MohiuddinMahi, a third-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism, said TSC is the social and cultural hub of our campus which was built when the varsity had a small number of students.
"However, it has never been reconstructed again although the number of students and teachers has been increasing every year. So, this is a great initiative indeed but the authorities have to be sincere enough so that none of its tradition or aesthetic beauties get destroyed," he added.