Most students at Bangladesh’s public universities face a housing shortage because residential hall capacity falls far below demand. The University Grants Commission’s latest published 2023 annual report says 50 public universities have 162 male and 100 female halls, providing accommodation for only 39.65 percent of students. Nearly 60 percent therefore live in nearby messes, rented homes or with relatives, facing higher costs, longer commutes and disruption to their studies.

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University and Kishoreganj University have full residential coverage, while 10 universities have no residential facilities. Coverage stands at 21.87 percent at Chittagong University, 26.14 percent at Islamic University, 43.97 percent at Dhaka University and 46.71 percent at Rajshahi University. Jagannath University has only one female hall and no male hall, despite having about 20,000 students.

Stakeholders have called for new halls, expanded capacity in existing halls and merit-based seat allocation. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Obaidul Islam said projects are underway for new halls and additional seats. Chittagong University is arranging housing for about 300 students and has a proposed 10-storey hall awaiting a Tk690 crore ministry budget process. Two male halls at Jagannath University are expected to be completed in December, accommodating 1,600 students.