Celebrating its 20th year, SUST has seen more misses than hits as facilities and services lag behind
Sylhet: Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST) will observe its 20th founding anniversary on Sunday. SUST is the first science and technology university in Bangladesh which established in 1987. After two decades, SUST is in the grip of multiple problems, including accommodation crisis, entertainment, shortage of classrooms and teachers, and lack of equipment.
The academic activities of the university are going on in five building. The university is also facing acute shortage of teachers as around 356 teachers for 11504 students. Lack of modern instruments for practical classes is also a stumbling bar to the students. Large number of students of the university is deprived of residential facilities on the campus due to shortage of dormitories. So far three residential halls-only one for women— hve been built on the campus.
According to campus sources, SUST started its academic programme from February 14, 1991 with three departments—- physics, chemistry and economics. The campus is located in Kumargaon, approximately five kilometers away from Sylhet.
The university introduced the integrated honours course for the first time in Bangladesh and it has introduced the semester system from the 1996-97 sessions. Every year the existing systems have kept improving. The first convocation of SUST was held on the April 29, 1998 and the second convocation of the university was held on the December 6, 2007. But university authorities have yet to arrange convocation for the new students.
SUST launched digital admission process among the public & private universities for the first time. SUST also welcomes foreign students. There are a significant number of foreign students especially from Nepal. There are some students in its affiliated medical college from Indian Kashmir.
For cultural harmony and practice of free and innovative thinking, the university is building a modern Teachers and Students Centre (TSC). Other projects include construction of seven residential halls for the boys and three residential halls for female student, a stadium, a sports complex with swimming pool, a gymnasium, a clinic with all modern facilities, and a college for the children of the faculty members and other supporting staff. A multipurpose shopping mall with modern facilities will also be built to meet the demand of the teachers, students and staff.
On this occasion of the founding anniversary of university, a day long programme will be held on the campus on Sunday.
Presided over by vice chancellor of the university Prof Dr Saleh Uddin, the programme will address Education Ministry Nurul Islam Nahid as a chief guest while Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Bodor Uddin Ahmed Kamran, Secretary of Ministry of the education Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury will address as a special guest.
