Seven students of Barishal University ended their 25-hour hunger strike late last night after receiving written assurances from Vice Chancellor Prof Md Toufiq Alam that their demands would be addressed.

The protest concluded around 10:00pm when the VC personally handed the students a signed statement and offered them juice to break their fast.

“We will wait and see how the authorities act on their promises. If there is no progress, we are prepared to restart our protest,” said Sharmila Zaman Senjuti, an English department student who was among the strikers.

According to the VC’s office, the written pledge included a six-month timeline to carry out a feasibility study—once a project director is appointed—on the construction of new dormitories, academic buildings, and other facilities. The statement also promised an assessment of bus shortages by Tuesday, with arrangements for additional vehicles if required. An ambulance purchase application would be submitted today (Sunday), while a land survey for campus expansion is set to be completed within 15 working days.

The hunger strike began Thursday night at 10:30pm in front of the administrative building. The students involved were Senjuti, Amiya Mondal (Journalism and Mass Communication), Tajul Islam (Accounting and Information Systems), Md Abu Bakar Siddique (Chemistry), Piyal Hasan (Philosophy), Ahmed Riaz (Public Administration), and Shawkat Osman (Law). Their three-point demand called for new infrastructure, campus expansion, and improvements to university transport facilities.

During the strike, two students fell ill and required treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Since July 29, Barishal University students have been demonstrating through rallies, human chains, and road blockades to push for these demands.