Vaccination for students, teachers begins at DU
A day before the Dhaka University halls reopen, Covid-19 vaccination drive for the university teachers, students, officials and employees began on the campus yesterday.
The vaccination programme is being held at a temporary set-up at the Martyred Intellectual Dr Muhammad Murtaza Medical Centre. It is slated to continue till October 17.
Dr Sarwar Jahan Muktafi, chief medical officer of the medical centre, told The Daily Star that they have the facilities to vaccinate around 5,500 students, along with some teachers and employees.
Earlier around 9:30am yesterday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the campaign. He said they took the initiative so that students can get vaccinated within a short period of time.
"We will be able to resume normal operations as soon as all students get vaccinated," he said.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dhaka district Civil Surgeon Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan said, "We don't usually allow setting up vaccination centres outside of hospitals or government organisations, but we've permitted this centre with highest priority."
According to an official of the university's ICT cell, around 23,000 of the total 47,000 students have received at least the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines, meaning around 49 percent students have been vaccinated.
Among them, around 18,000 have received the second dose, the source said.
Earlier, DU provost standing committee had recommended resuming in-person classes once all students get vaccinated.
DORMS TO REOPEN TODAY
The vaccination drive comes ahead of the decision to reopen the university's halls today after 18 months, albeit at a limited scale—only for honours final year and masters' students.
According to a recent decision of the provost standing committee, only honours final year and masters' students who will be able to produce their vaccine certificates or have received at least the first dose will be allowed to enter the residential halls.
Meanwhile, a section of students have express their dissatisfaction over the decision to open the halls only for a select few.
"We have had in-person exams. Most students in our class are in Dhaka now. Why is it that the authorities are only allowing seniors into the halls?" asked Ahrar Hossain, a third-year student of SM hall.
Earlier on October 1, a group of students forcefully entered the Amar Ekushey Hall after breaking the padlock at the entrance. DU authorities have formed a probe committee to investigate the incidence.
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