As the scorching heatwave continues, universities across Bangladesh are implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their students and faculty. With temperatures soaring above 40°C and rising health concerns, educational institutions are making adjustments to their usual routines.
North South University (NSU) and BRAC University have announced they will conduct online classes from 21 April to 27 April. This decision aims to mitigate the risk of heat-related health issues among students and staff members.
Dhaka University (DU) has also opted to conduct online classes during this period but in-person examinations will proceed as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the National University has suspended all its classes in response to the heatwave. The decision, announced this Saturday, underscores the severity of the weather conditions and prioritizes the safety of students and faculty members.
Amid growing concerns about whether universities will be closed entirely due to the heatwave, Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sadeka Halim provided insight into the decision-making process.
She stated, “An emergency meeting has been called for a decision on this issue tomorrow. After the meeting, a decision will be taken on this issue.”
Furthermore, Jashore University of Science and Technology has made adjustments to its daily schedule to cope with the heatwave. In a notice issued by the university, new timings for both class and examination was disclosed as 8:00am to 12:00pm.
These measures underscore the proactive response of universities to the challenges posed by the ongoing heatwave. By prioritising the health and safety of their academic communities, institutions are adapting to ensure continued learning while navigating extreme weather conditions.