BU Correspondent

A significant number of students at Barishal University (BU) are voicing their dissatisfaction with the challenges they face.

A recent survey, led by the Barishal University Research and Higher Education Society, sheds light on the various issues causing concern.

The survey, titled "Student Voice: Addressing Issues," was conducted from October 1 to October 5 and included 500 students from BU's 6th to 12th batches.

It explored topics such as the quality of education and research, relationships between students and teachers, library facilities, classroom conditions, housing, internet access, medical services, transportation, security, and the need for mental health support, among others.

The findings were concerning—more than half of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction across 23 different categories, reflecting a widespread sense of frustration. Many students feel that the university is falling short of meeting their expectations.

Tasmiya Tabassum, a third-year student, explained, "As our hopes for the university grow, so does our disappointment. We’re dealing with session backlogs, administrative neglect, inadequate educational resources, and a lack of proper infrastructure. Even after 13 years, the university still faces building shortages, which disrupts the learning environment. Session delays in several departments add to the frustration."

While a few departments are making progress, most remain bogged down by session backlogs, negatively affecting students' academic experiences and mental well-being.

Abdul Kayum, a first-year student, added, "Coming to university, we had high hopes and dreams. But those dreams quickly faded as we faced problem after problem. The reality of university life here doesn’t live up to our expectations. We’re simply caught in a cycle of challenges, unable to fully develop our potential."

Hasibul Hasan Shovon, Vice President of the Barishal University Research and Higher Education Society, shared the purpose behind the survey: "We wanted to bring the university’s situation to the attention of the authorities and highlight how students truly feel. Unfortunately, the feedback was overwhelmingly negative, showing just how frustrated students are."

The survey results have been presented to the university administration, with the aim of addressing these concerns. The vice-chancellor has acknowledged the findings and expressed a commitment to resolving the issues raised.