University dormitories must be part of the earthquake conversation

The earthquake of November 21 once again exposed the serious weaknesses in Bangladesh's built environment. At least 10 people lost their lives, including in Dhaka, where many buildings tilted dangerously, developed cracks, and some of their parts collapsed. Panic and chaos were triggered in all major cities. Predictably, the immediate national debate focused on unplanned urbanisation, inadequate monitoring, and the vulnerability of structures. However, public discussion is incomplete if it leaves out one vital area: the condition of university residential halls.

While citizens, policymakers, and experts debate the dangers of faulty urban buildings, thousands of students sleep every night in structures that are just as unsafe—if not more. The dormitories of public universities represent a silent crisis in Bangladesh's earthquake preparedness. While some of the halls have stood for many decades, some date back to even the British era. These buildings were constructed at a time when seismic awareness, engineering technology, and safety regulations were far less advanced. Over the decades, they have suffered from deterioration, ageing materials, inconsistent maintenance, and continuous overcrowding. Despite these risks, the halls remain packed with students because no safer alternative exists.

This situation is the product of prolonged administrative and governmental indifference. University infrastructures have long been viewed as permanent and unchangeable, rather than dynamic structures that require inspection, reinforcement, or reconstruction. Small cracks and other hazards, including electrical ones, are often dismissed instead of being viewed as early warnings of a catastrophe. Bureaucratic inefficiency delays even the most basic repairs. Budgets for renovation move slowly, and political influence affects construction decisions. Such complacency is dangerous, especially when these structures house thousands of young people in tightly packed spaces.

Students are, in fact, among the most vulnerable groups in the country when it comes to earthquake risks. Spaces designed for two people now hold four or more. Exit routes are often unplanned, and evacuation training is almost nonexistent. Students have limited time and power to demand renovations or structural assessments, while the authorities show little urgency in addressing these dangers.

Bangladesh lies in a seismically active zone, and experts have repeatedly warned that a major quake could strike at any time. If structures in Dhaka can fail during a moderate quake, the condition of decades-old university residential halls should alarm everyone. Ignoring them because they are not located in busy commercial zones is a grave mistake. A collapse in a university hall can cause mass casualties in minutes, overwhelming emergency services and leaving the nation shaken by a tragedy that could have been prevented.

However, that requires decisive and immediate action. Bangladesh urgently needs a nationwide, independent structural audit of all public university dormitories by qualified engineers. The results must be made publicly available for accountability. Buildings found to be unsafe must undergo retrofitting using modern reinforcement techniques, including steel bracing, column strengthening, and the introduction of seismic-resistant features. Some older structures may be beyond repair; in those cases, new earthquake-resistant halls must be built as replacements.

At the same time, universities must also implement proper evacuation systems. Clearly marked exit routes, regular earthquake drills, trained hall staff, and designated assembly points can significantly reduce casualties even in the case of structural damage. Safety education should be mandatory for students living in residential halls, ensuring that they know how to act during emergencies.

Most importantly, university campuses must be fully integrated into the national framework of disaster preparedness. Earthquake resilience cannot be viewed as an urban-only issue. Campuses are densely populated communities, and their buildings must follow the Bangladesh National Building Code and relevant safety guidelines. The Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, and university administrations must work together for an accountability system that includes annual inspections, penalties for negligence, and strict oversight of construction and repair work.

The November 21 earthquake points out that students, who represent the country's future, should not be living in structures that could turn into death traps during a major seismic event. A nation committed to resilience, safety, and progress must prioritise the protection of its young population.

Earthquake safety in university dormitories is not a matter of luxury—it is a matter of urgency. Bangladesh can no longer afford to look away.

H M Sabbir Hossain is student of international relations at Chittagong University.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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