DU archives crumble in sweltering heat

 
Critical academic records spanning decades are deteriorating at Dhaka University (DU) as soaring temperatures wreak havoc on paper-based archives, threatening educational history and student services.

Over 10,000 crucial academic documents face destruction at DU's certificate and mark-sheet branches, where absence of air conditioning creates damaging humidity levels. 

Staff members report that certificates, mark-sheets, and tabulation sheets belonging to alumni from 40 to 50 years ago are crumbling beyond repair, with many century-old documents already torn to pieces.

Mohammad Lokman Hossain, Assistant Controller of Examinations in the Mark-sheet Tabulation Branch, revealed the alarming scope, "We have over 10,000 tabulation sheets, which compile semester results of students from various departments and institutes. Many of these, especially those older than 40 years, are being damaged. The cause is extreme heat, and there is no backup system if these are lost."

Daily operations at these branches highlight the urgency of the crisis. More than 200 applications for certificates arrive at the Certificate Branch daily, with 100 to 150 receiving printed certificates whilst the remainder must be issued handwritten. Over 1,000 students visit these three branches every day seeking services, putting enormous pressure on deteriorating systems.

The university's slow embrace of digital technology compounds the problem. Despite being established on 1 July 1921, Dhaka University only began limited digitisation of some administrative branches in 2020, leaving certificate, mark-sheet, and transcript service branches neglected. 

Assistant Controller of Examinations Md Abdul Wadud explained, "Since 2022-23, we've been issuing printed certificates. But for students who graduated from the university's inception till 2021, we still have to issue handwritten certificates."

Physical evidence of the damage paints a stark picture. Certificate Branch staff displayed a file from 1962 where pages were completely decayed, some shredded into pieces due to excessive heat caused by lack of air conditioning. Such deterioration threatens not only historical records but also current student services.

Acting Controller of Examinations Dr Himadri Shekhar Chakraborty acknowledged the severity, "Due to excessive temperatures and the absence of a digital archive, many valuable documents are being ruined. If an accident occurs, there will be no way to retrieve these documents. Resolving these issues would enhance efficiency and service quality. We are discussing this with the administration."