Six more Chinese students who came to Dhaka University (DU) on an exchange programme are leaving the campus ahead of schedule, out of fear for their safety after a series of crude bomb blasts on campus. Two students went home on Wednesday (11 November). In all, all eight Chinese students are leaving Dhaka University before their scheduled time.
Professor M A Kawsar, provost of Sir P J Hartog International Hall, the university’s residential hall for foreign students, confirmed this on Thursday (12 November).
The eight Chinese students had come to Dhaka University for a short course and were due to return home after their exams at the end of November. But a string of crude bomb blasts at various places on campus left them worried about their safety, and their families also raised concerns. The students then decided to go home before the course ended. On Wednesday evening the provost, Professor Kawsar, met the foreign students about overall security on campus. He heard their concerns and views and assured them of their safety.
Professor Kawsar said the six students have confirmed tickets to return home on 13 November. They are to sit the rest of the course’s exams at their own universities after returning.
“They were supposed to leave after finishing their exams in the last week of November. But they are leaving early because of the concern created by the blasts. Two have already gone. The remaining six have also confirmed their tickets,” he said.
On the safety of foreign students, the provost said: “Some panic has set in among them. We have told them they can leave up to two weeks early if they need to, and we will arrange for them to sit their exams here. The university and the government are taking steps to ensure security. Security at the hall is also being stepped up. We have already identified the places that need CCTV cameras and submitted a list.”
Apart from the eight, there are about 20 other foreign students at Sir P J Hartog International Hall, he said. They too are being briefed on the situation on campus and assured of their safety.
The decision of foreign students to return home early after the series of blasts has raised fresh concern about security on the Dhaka University campus.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report