'Somonnito Shikkharthi Sangsad' announces manifesto

Ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, the independent panel 'Somonnito Shikkharthi Sangsad' has announced its 27-point manifesto.
The manifesto was declared at 4:30 pm on Thursday in front of Madhur Canteen by VP candidate Jamaluddin Khalid and GS candidate Mahin Sarker.
Khalid said their mission is to turn the Dhaka University (DU) into a healthy, safe, accountable, eco-friendly, and student-centered campus.
"Our commitment is to build a campus free from drugs, fear, and authoritarian politics, where student politics is no longer a tool of domination, violence, or blind loyalty, but rather a platform for free thought, democracy, leadership, and patriotism," he added.
Mahin said, "We will not just stop after announcing promises. We will ensure transparency in implementing each of the promises."
The manifesto pledges to create a safe, inclusive, and democratic campus free from violence and partisan dominance, while ensuring academic excellence. It promises to make research and innovation the central focus of DU, and turn it into a world-class research hub. The panel aims to produce graduates, who would be patriotic, honest, and competent leaders for the nation.
The manifesto emphasises teacher recruitment based on academic merit, research, and teaching skills, rather than political loyalty. Opportunities would be created for students to receive affordable preparatory support for IELTS, GRE, and TOEFL. It also calls for mandatory curriculum reviews as well as practice of ethical, non-violent student politics.
Freedom of cultural diversity and expression has been prioritised, along with a pledge to resist the negative impact of teacher and staff politics. The panel has also promised to provide free laptops to underprivileged students.
Bringing DU into the top-500 global universities is another major goal. A structural reform is proposed by transferring power from the Syndicate to the Senate, so that DUCSU's objectives can be fulfilled and student participation in decision-making ensured.
To strengthen student welfare, the manifesto highlights creation of a unified digital service platform, establishment of a mental health cell, recruitment of psychologists, and introduction of peer counseling programmes.
The panel also pledges to work with the administration and police to stop drug supply into the campus, expand university transport facilities by at least 50 per cent, and ensure modern and safe accommodation, eco-friendly infrastructure, and comprehensive healthcare services for students. Equal dignity for students regardless of religious identity would be guaranteed.
Several special initiatives are also included in the manifesto, like - launching bridge courses on English, ICT, and academic writing for rural students; offering additional social and cultural support for indigenous students beyond quota facilities; and setting up a dedicated international student centre for foreign students; and institutionalising regular DUCSU elections.
Besides, guest rooms, ragging, hostel dominance, and physical abuse would be completely abolished. The manifesto further promises to free the university from "cultural hegemony".
The panel noted that its vision is to transform DU into a world-class academic institution, where all the students can pursue their dreams without fear and with equal opportunity.

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