Star talks to four such Rucsu aspirants
Sixteen candidates are contesting the post of Assistant General Secretary (AGS) in the upcoming Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election.
With the election deferred to October 16, campaigning has intensified, with candidates going door-to-door to directly engage students.
The Daily Star spoke to four AGS candidates about their pledges, aspirations, and implementation plans.
ESHA VOWS TO BE 'VOICE OF STUDENTS'
Zahin Biswas Esha, from the Oikyaboddho Notun Projonmo panel backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said her priority is addressing students' concerns.
A student of Performing Arts, Esha highlighted challenges faced by female students since the July uprising and stressed the urgent need for female leadership.
"I have worked on students' legitimate demands before and will continue to do so," she said.
If elected, Esha promises to promote social and cultural coexistence on the campus while improving the quality of education and research.
Her plans include preparing a roadmap for part-time job opportunities, tackling accommodation shortages, modernising the health centre, opening a 24-hour pharmacy, ensuring safe water and food, and strengthening the cyber cell to protect female students from online harassment.
"I want to start with fundamental issues -- ensuring security and access to essential services. I believe I can address reasonable demands by engaging everyone and working with the administration," she added.
LIKHON PUSHES FOR FULL AUTONOMY
Shah Poran Likhon, a student of Mass Communication and Journalism, aims to draft and implement a roadmap for a fully autonomous university.
He argued that real development is impossible without genuine autonomy, free from political parties and local influence.
"Autonomy exists only on paper. In practice, student organisations remain dependent on their parent political bodies and local politics," said Likhon, an independent candidate.
Despite the university entering its 73rd year, he said problems such as housing shortages, poor food quality, and lack of facilities still shape student politics.
"To end seat allocation based on affiliation or patronage, the university must become self-sufficient. My manifesto centres on 'self-service'," he added.
NASIM VOWS TO ENSURE TEACHER ACCOUNTABILITY
Nasim Sarkar, from the Gonotantrik Shikkharthi Porshod panel -- a platform formed to fight for student rights, believes a democratic campus can only be restored by dismantling teacher dominance and empowering students.
A student of Bangla Language and Literature, Nasim has long been involved in student rights movements.
He blames "partisan control and fascist occupation" for problems such as partisan appointments in administration, politically driven hall seat allocation, and substandard food in dining facilities.
"We are not offering flashy promises, but focusing on fundamental issues," he said.
Sarkar pledged to dismantle the "feudal culture" in the university, where students are treated as subjects and teachers as rulers.
His manifesto includes an independent student-led faculty evaluation system, a permanent ban on partisan and fascist activities, ending corporate dependence in university funding, creating part-time jobs, and expanding scholarships for underprivileged students.
MAHAYEER PRIORITSES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Mahayeer Islam, from the Sorbojonin Shikkharthi Parishad panel, vowed to shift the university's focus from political dominance to academic excellence.
"The university's glorious history has often been overshadowed by political movements, while academic achievements were neglected. I want to restore that balance," said Mahayeer, a student of Arabic and former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement.
He said after the July uprising, students had hoped for a change in political culture, but parties quickly returned to violence -- something his group stayed away from.
If elected, Mahayeer promises to implement an academic master plan, ensure transparency in hall seat allocation, provide housing allowances for disadvantaged students, improve dining facilities, and fully develop TSC infrastructure.
He also pledged to introduce faculty evaluations by students and ensure transparent recruitment of internationally qualified teachers.
"The university must progress through research and knowledge, not politics. My goal is to return academic authority to students," he added.
