Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikko, a student panel formed by politically conscious yet unaffiliated students, has announced its 11-point manifesto ahead of the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections.

The manifesto, introduced under the slogan “No partisan domination, no depoliticization,” outlines a series of student-centric reforms the panel vows to implement if elected.

The manifesto was formally launched at a press conference held Tuesday afternoon at Madhur Canteen on Dhaka University campus. Addressing the event, vice-president candidate Umama Fatema said the manifesto was developed through direct engagement with students.

“We listened to students’ real-life problems, collected their feedback and built our agenda based on those concerns,” said Umama. “Each point is rooted in students’ everyday experiences, making this more than just a list of promises; it’s a concrete action plan.”

General secretary candidate Al Sadi Bhuiyan echoed this sentiment, saying, “Our manifesto is 100% realistic and grounded in the practical needs of the student body. Every proposal is actionable and designed to improve student life on campus.”
Among the key points of the manifesto are commitments to:

1. Permanently eliminate partisan influence from the university’s administrative and academic structures.

2. Address longstanding issues such as guest room culture, seat shortages in dorms and financial struggles faced by students.

3. Integrate the history of 1971 Liberation War and Mass Uprising into the academic curriculum to promote research and critical understanding.

4. Install high-performance GPUs in engineering labs and establish AI incubators to support tech-driven education.

5. Create fair-wage part-time job opportunities for first- and second-year students.

6. Strengthen Sexual Harassment Cell by making it more active and ensuring transparency through regular online status updates of complaints.

7. Expand dining and canteen services in all residential halls under university administration.

8. Guarantee 100% residential access, ensuring every student has a dedicated bed and table.

9. Increase the frequency of university shuttle buses, with services running until 8 PM.

The panel’s manifesto aims to strike a balance between democratization and depoliticization, promising student leadership that prioritizes welfare over political alignment.

DUCSU elections are set to play a pivotal role in shaping student representation on campus and Swatantra Shikkharthi Oikko has positioned itself as a fresh alternative, pledging genuine reforms without party control.