Education Minister to Seek Renaming of Buet Dormitory as ‘Abrar Hall’ in Memory of Slain Student

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said he will formally request Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to rename one of the residential halls at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) as “Abrar Hall” to commemorate the memory of Abrar Fahad, whose killing in 2019 became a defining moment in Bangladesh’s debate over campus violence and student politics.

The minister made the announcement on Saturday while addressing the orientation programme for first-year students admitted to Buet for the 2025–26 academic session. Speaking as the chief guest, Milon said preserving the memory of Abrar Fahad is essential to ensuring that future generations understand the consequences of political violence and that such an incident is never repeated.
 

He said he intends to place the proposal before the prime minister and expressed hope that one of the university’s dormitories could be officially renamed in Abrar’s honour. According to the minister, if the proposal is approved, the hall would host two commemorative programmes each year dedicated to remembering Abrar Fahad and promoting awareness about peaceful academic environments.

Milon stressed that educational institutions must remain places where students can pursue knowledge without fear of intimidation or violence. He said the tragic events surrounding Abrar’s death should serve as a lasting lesson for both current and future students, emphasizing that no talented young person should lose their life because of political affiliation, ideological differences or any other form of conflict.

Abrar Fahad, then a second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering at Buet, was beaten to death inside Sher-e-Bangla Hall in October 2019. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, leading to widespread protests by students and renewed demands for stronger measures against political violence on university campuses. The case also intensified public debate over student safety, accountability and the influence of political organisations within higher education institutions.

Addressing the newly admitted students, the education minister also outlined the government's broader vision for engineering education. He said universities must strengthen collaboration with industries to ensure graduates possess the practical skills required in an evolving economy. Aligning academic curricula with industrial demands, he noted, would help prepare students for future employment opportunities while supporting Bangladesh’s technological and economic development.

Milon further highlighted the need to expand engineering education by increasing the number of available seats in universities. According to him, Bangladesh's growing economy requires a larger pool of highly skilled engineers capable of supporting infrastructure development, industrial expansion and technological innovation.

Prime Minister's Education Adviser Mahdi Amin also attended the orientation programme and addressed the incoming students. He described Buet as one of the country's premier institutions for engineering and technological education, noting its long-standing contributions to research, innovation and national development.

Mahdi said the university has played a significant role in shaping Bangladesh's progress and has contributed to important moments in the country's history, including the struggle for independence and the July Uprising. He encouraged the newly enrolled students to uphold Buet's tradition of academic excellence, innovation and public service throughout their studies.

Referring to Abrar Fahad during his remarks, Mahdi reminded students that the slain engineering student was once among their predecessors and urged them to value the principles of integrity, responsibility and courage. He said preserving the memory of individuals who sacrificed their lives under tragic circumstances is important for building a more tolerant and inclusive academic environment.

The proposal to rename a Buet dormitory after Abrar Fahad comes as discussions continue over strengthening campus safety, discouraging political violence and fostering a culture where universities remain centres of learning, innovation and free intellectual exchange. If approved, the initiative would serve as a permanent tribute to Abrar's memory while symbolising a commitment to ensuring that such a tragedy is never repeated in Bangladesh's higher education institutions.