A festive atmosphere has taken hold of the Dhaka University campus as the official campaign for the Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections kicks off. Candidates are actively canvassing door to door, engaging directly with voters. Tanvir Baree Hamim, running for General Secretary from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal panel, is among them. He serves as the convener of Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall unit of Chhatra Dal. In an interview with Jago News’ Hasan Ali, Hamim discussed his election manifesto and vision for DUCSU.
Jago News: What message are you conveying to the students, and how have they responded?
Hamim: The official campaign began today, and our Bangladesh Nationalist Chhatra Dal-nominated panel formally launched activities this afternoon. I personally started campaigning this morning. We’re receiving a positive response from students. Beyond seeking votes, we’re also raising awareness about the importance of the elections and encouraging greater student participation on voting day. That’s a key part of our effort.
Jago News: Do you think there is a conspiracy to cancel the elections?
Hamim: Students are feeling anxious for various reasons. One major factor is the conflicting statements being made by university administrative officials at different times, which creates confusion about whether the elections will actually take place. This inconsistency is sowing uncertainty among the students. I urge the administration to refrain from making any remarks that could further fuel confusion or unrest. They should act responsibly and avoid saying anything that might undermine student confidence in the electoral process
Jago News: What kind of work do you plan to do for students if elected?
Hamim: My focus will be on practical work within the scope of the General Secretary’s role. I can't turn the university into Oxford overnight. Instead, I’ll prioritise the basic needs of students. First- and second-year students, in particular, face shortages in quality food and proper accommodation. They often don’t get nutritious meals or safe living conditions. These fundamental issues will be at the heart of my agenda. I’m not thinking about building grand structures – first, we must meet basic needs. My goal is to ensure students can live and study with dignity.
Jago News: What role do you envision in improving students’ skills and creating work opportunities?
Hamim: I will ensure proper monitoring in areas like dining facilities, where food quality suffers due to lack of oversight. In this monitoring team, I plan to involve students by creating part-time job opportunities for them. Hiring outsiders won’t benefit our student community, instead, we should empower our own students through these roles.
Moreover, many first-year students come to Dhaka University from marginalized and remote areas. When they arrive, they’re suddenly immersed in a completely new environment and often struggle to adapt, they don’t know how to study effectively, create presentations, or use basic software. Their computer literacy is frequently very low. To address this, I will work with the university administration to offer free foundational training for first-year students in essential digital skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, basic AI tools, and presentation design.
Additionally, I propose introducing a First-Year Advising Tutorial system, similar to those in private universities. This would be led by talented senior students from each department who can mentor struggling freshmen. These senior mentors should be recognized and provided with a small honorarium for their support. This peer-guided approach will help new students transition smoothly into university life while creating meaningful opportunities for seniors.
Jago News: Do you have any special plans for female students?
Hamim: Yes, I’ve already taken some initiatives at a personal level to support female students’ health and safety including setting up vending machines and organising medical camps. These are efforts I believe should be institutionalised by the university administration.
If elected to DUCSU, I will engage with the Dhaka University authorities, carrying the mandate of the students, to establish a medical centre, or at least a mini medical centre, in the residential halls under DUCSU’s overall supervision. The key feature will be round-the-clock availability of a doctor, especially for emergencies.
Right now, if a female student falls ill after 11:00pm, it takes one to one and a half hours just to get her out of the hall for medical care, a delay that often worsens her condition. This is unacceptable. As General Secretary, I will work to eliminate these gaps and ensure timely, accessible healthcare for women on campus.