RU's largest dorm to accommodate over 1,100 students

The construction of a 10-storey residential hall for male students at Rajshahi University (RU) is nearing completion, with authorities expecting it to be ready for use by December this year.

Built at a cost of Tk74 crore, the facility is set to become the largest dormitory on campus, according to S M Obaidul Islam, Director of RU’s Planning and Development Office.

University sources said the construction began in September 2021. Following several extensions, the contractor—Majid Sons Construction Ltd.—has pledged to hand over the project by December 2025.

The hall will have 598 double-occupancy rooms, allowing accommodation for more than 1,100 students. Modern amenities include four lifts, wide staircases, power generators, a deep tube well, a mosque, and a 300-seat auditorium.

The second floor will feature a library, gymnasium, reading rooms, and indoor recreational spaces. A green zone and permanent student-run shops will be established on the ground floor. The entire building will be under CCTV surveillance.

Initially named "Shaheed A H M Qamaruzzaman Hall" by the previous administration, students proposed renaming it “Sakib-Raihan Hall” during the July student movement. However, the university has yet to finalise an official name.

Covering 24,000 square metres, the structure comprises six blocks across 10 floors and is equipped with modern facilities.

In addition to this dormitory, work is underway on three other major development projects at RU: a 10-storey female dormitory, a 20-storey academic building, and a 10-storey teachers' quarters.

Commenting on the progress, S M Obaidul Islam said, “One of the top priorities of the current administration following the July uprising was to fast-track development projects, especially resolving the student accommodation crisis. The new dormitory, with a Tk74 crore budget, is nearly complete and we expect it to be ready by December.”

RU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Mohammad Main Uddin said, “Construction had stalled after 5 August, but the current administration resumed work following meetings with contractors. University officials have visited the site, and we are hopeful the hall will be ready for occupancy by December.”