After an 18-day closure due to student protests, Dhaka Medical College is set to reopen, with academic activities resuming on Saturday, July 12.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the college’s Academic Council held on Tuesday.
The college dormitories will reopen a day earlier, on Friday, July 11, from 8 a.m. onwards, according to the announcement.
Principal Dr. Md Kamrul Alam confirmed that students were eager to return to classes, and the suspension of academic and residential facilities had significantly disrupted their studies.
Students had been boycotting classes since May, demanding safe and adequate accommodation. On June 21, they organized a human chain protest on campus, leading the college authorities to suspend operations indefinitely the same day. Students were also instructed to vacate the dormitories by June 22.
However, students refused to leave, vowing to remain in the dorms until their demands were met. On June 23, a seven-member student delegation, accompanied by the college principal, met with the Health Ministry at the Secretariat.
While a meeting with the Health Adviser was planned, the delegation ultimately spoke with the Principal Adviser’s Special Assistant, Professor Sayedur Rahman.
Following the meeting, a student representative, Abdullah Al Noman of batch K-79, stated that the discussion was productive and that their concerns were heard.
However, no specific directives were issued regarding the next steps, and students were asked to wait for further updates.
Despite the meeting, students decided not to resume classes immediately due to the lack of clear guidance. Since then, both academic activities and dormitory access had remained suspended.
The students had been protesting for five key demands:
Immediate approval of a budget for the construction of new male and female dormitories.
Provision of alternative housing facilities until the construction is completed.
A separate budget allocation for a new academic building.
Independent approval and prompt implementation of budgets for both housing and academic infrastructure.
Appointment of student representatives to ensure transparency in project implementation.
With the college now set to reopen, students hope their concerns will be addressed, and academic life can return to normal.
