Challenges of reviving student unions in universities

Highlights: TBS

Prior to 1970, the country had six public universities, each with a central student union.

However, despite nearly fifty more public universities being established since then, most still lack a legal framework for student unions, with Shahjalal University of Science and Technology being the only exception.

Post-independence, student union elections became increasingly irregular and were eventually halted in the 1990s due to a lack of political will.

Successive governments have been reluctant to facilitate these elections, resulting in a prolonged hiatus in student union activities at newer universities.

Even when drafting university laws, the inclusion of provisions for student unions was overlooked.

Recent calls by Nahid Islam, the interim government's information and broadcasting adviser, to conduct student union elections before national or other elections have revived discussions on the issue.

Nevertheless, a pressing question remains: how can universities that lack the necessary legal and constitutional provisions establish student unions?

While some institutions have initiated efforts to address this issue, a consensus on the procedural details has yet to be reached.

Experts have highlighted the legal complexities involved in establishing student unions in universities that lack the necessary legal provisions.

Professor AK Azad Chowdhury, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, told TBS that regular student union elections were crucial for nurturing students' leadership skills. "However, ruling parties often perceived student unions as challenges to their authority, leading to a persistent reluctance to hold such elections."

He further emphasised that student politics should be ideology-driven rather than being manipulated by political parties.

"While student politics is a global phenomenon, its manifestations vary across countries. In Bangladesh, student politics has unfortunately been reduced to serving as the muscle power for political parties. This needs to be changed," he said.

Professor Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, vice-chancellor of Islamic University, told TBS that forming student unions in such universities is currently challenging.

He explained that establishing student unions would require either a presidential ordinance, a court order, or new legislation passed by parliament.

Student leaders from various organisations have called for the establishment of student unions to improve campus life.

SM Sweet, former general secretary of the Chhatra Union's Islamic University branch and coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, "From past experience, it is evident that the student organisations affiliated with those in power have always dominated the universities and never truly represented the voice of the students."

"That is why we have long demanded the formation of student unions as elected platforms to work for students' rights. Toward this end, a legal framework must first be in place," he said.

In 2019, Jagannath University initiated steps to include a student union in its regulations. The administration drafted a law and set a 45-day period for stakeholder feedback. However, the plan stalled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and no further action was taken.

Recently, the topic resurfaced during discussions between students and the university administration.

Tousib Mahmud Shohan, student of the Physics Department and central deputy office secretary of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, told TBS, "Although there was an earlier initiative to form a student union, it never materialised. However, we've had discussions with the new administration. We have a preliminary agreement to establish a student union by 31 March next year, provided there are no legal hurdles."

He added, "If legal complications arise, the administration has informed us that the student union formation is planned by December of next year."

Professor Md Rezaul Karim, vice chancellor of Jagannath University, said, "We are in the process of creating a legal framework, and a committee is working on it. Once the framework is drafted, we will consult legal experts and proceed accordingly."

A similar situation exists at other universities, including Cumilla University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, RUET, CUET, Khulna University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Begum Rokeya University, Barishal University and Sylhet Agricultural University.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik said that even if student unions are not explicitly mentioned in the law, the universities' highest bodies can decide to establish them. He said, "Student unions can be formed through an executive order, without needing to amend the law."

Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), said, "If any legal complications arise regarding the formation of student unions, the UGC and the Ministry of Education will work with the respective universities to provide support. We want student unions to be established in the universities."

According to sources at the UGC, there are approvals for a total of 55 public universities in the country.

Among them, student unions were established shortly after the founding of Dhaka University (1921), Rajshahi University (1953), Chittagong University (1966), Jahangirnagar University (1970), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (1962), and Bangladesh Agricultural University (1961). Outside of these, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (1991) also has a student union.

Student unions at 7 universities 

After the establishment of Dhaka University in 1921, the Dhaka University Students' Union was founded in 1924. In 1953, the name was changed to Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU). The first DUCSU vice president was appointed in 1924-25.

In the period between the liberation of the country and the present, there have been only seven DUCSU elections, with the last one held in 2019. In pre-independence times, a total of 30 elections were conducted.

Jahangirnagar University was established in 1970, and the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) was formed in 1972. The last JUCSU election took place in 1992, with a total of nine elections held to date.

Chittagong University was founded in 1966, and its student union was formed shortly thereafter. The first student election at CU was held in 1970, and the last one took place in February 1990, totaling six elections.

Rajshahi University was established in 1953, with the first student union election held in the 1956-57 term. Since 1962, a total of 14 elections have been conducted, with the last one taking place in 1989-90.

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) founded its student union in 1962, the most recent election being held in 2001, totaling 21 elections.

Bangladesh Agricultural University, established in 1961, formed its student union shortly after. The last election was held in 1998.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology was founded in 1986, and its student union has held five elections, the last one in 1997.