A new political panel has entered the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election arena with the official launch of the ‘Independent Student Unity’ alliance.
The announcement was made at a press conference held in front of the iconic Aparajeya Bangla sculpture on the university campus on Thursday, August 21.
The panel is led by Umama Fatema, who will run for the post of Vice President (VP), and Al Sadi Bhuiyan, former president of the Dhaka University Journalists Association, contesting as General Secretary (GS). Their candidature has drawn early attention, given their active involvement in campus journalism and student affairs.
Zahed Ahmed, a student of the 2017–18 session from the Department of Sociology, will contest for the post of Assistant General Secretary (AGS), while Numan Ahmad Chowdhury has been nominated as the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary.
Mominul Islam, will run for Science and Technology Secretary, and Nafiz Bashar Alif will represent the panel as International Affairs Secretary.
Surmi Chakma has been named Common Room, Reading Room and Cafeteria Secretary, and Anid Hasan will take charge of Literature and Culture Affairs.
Siam Ferdous Emon will run for Research and Publication Secretary, Md Sadiquzzaman Sarkar for Sports Secretary, and Md Rafiz Khan will contest for Student Transport Secretary.
Tanvir Samad will run for Social Services Secretary, Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya for Career Development Secretary, Israt Jahan Nijhum for Health and Environment Secretary, and Nusrat Jahan Nisu for Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary.
The panel also includes 14 member candidates for DUCUS. They are – Naureen Sultana Toma, Abid Abdullah, Bobby Biswas, Md. Shakil, Md. Hasan Zubair (Tufan), Abdullah Al Mubin (Rifat), Ark Barua, Abir Hasan, Newaz Sharif Arman, Md Muktarul Islam (Ridoy), Hasibur Rahman, Rafiul Haque Rafi, Md. Sajib Hossain, and Sadequr Rahman Sunny.
With the slogan of promoting inclusive, democratic, and student-centric leadership, the ‘Independent Student Unity’ panel aims to revitalise student politics at Dhaka University through transparency, accountability, and grassroots engagement.
The upcoming DUCSU elections are expected to witness fierce competition, as multiple panels prepare to contest after years of electoral delay. The ‘Independent Student Unity’ panel positions itself as a fresh alternative, distancing from traditional party alignments and focusing on academic, cultural, and welfare-based student activism.