Dhaka University was closed many times between 1983 and 1987. General H. M. Ershad, who took power in March 1982, first closed the universities in mid-February 1983 in the wake of intensified agitation for an end to martial law (IPS, 2 août 1985). According to an article published by the Inter Press Service news agency in August 1985, nearly 16,000 first-year university students were unable to enter school for two years in 1983 and 1984. This article adds that, in addition to the normal holidays, Dhaka University remained closed for 105 and 44 days in 1983 and 1984 respectively (Ibid.). In October 1985, students demanded that the age limit of entry into government services be extended from 25 to 30 because of the delay in academic years resulting from frequent closures of the universities by the Bangladeshi authorities (Xinhua, 2 October 1985). Dhaka University was closed for about five months in 1985 (IPS, 2 August 1985). The Ershad government closed Dhaka University twice in 1987, for almost two months each time (Xinhua, 10 septembre 1987; Magistad, 1988). According to an article published by the The Christian Science Monitor in January 1988, many universities were two or three years behind in graduating their students. At a rally on 16 January 1988, Dhaka University's Vice-Chancellor even warned that the country could lose a generation of intellectuals if there were more closures, adding that Dhaka University had been closed for more than four and a half years from 1983 to 1987 (Magistad, 1988). For further information, please consult the attached newspaper articles.

Mary Kay Magistad, " As Strikes Multiply, So Do Yawns ", Far Eastern Economic Review, 28 January 1988.

" Bangladesh Bans Protest Coverage ", The New York Times, 29 November 1987.

" Bangladesh Shuts Universities to Stem Opposition Challenge ", Reuters, 27 November 1987.

" Dhaka University Ordered to Shut Down ", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 27 November 1987.

" Bangladesh Government Closes Dhaka Colleges: Student Protests ", BBC, 9 November 1987.

" University and Colleges in Dhaka Ordered to Remain Closed", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 8 November 1987.

" Police Oversee Reopening of Bangladesh University ", Reuters, 27 September 1987.

" Bangladesh Police Check Student ID's for University Reopenzing ", Reuters, 22 September 1987.

" Dhaka University to Reopen After Forced Closure for Over Two Months ", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 10 September 1987.

" Dhaka University Closed Because of Worsening Law and Order on Campus ", BBC, 17 July 1987.

" Dhaka University Shut After Student Violence ", Reuters, 15 July 1987.

" Bangladesh Agriculture University Closes ", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 28 June 1987.

" Bangladesh Students Observe "Demand Day", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 2 October 1987.

Tabibul Islam, " Bangladesh: Higher Education Hit by Political Turmoil ", Inter Press Service, 2 August 1985.

" Four Bangladesh Universities Reopen ", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 23 July 1985.

" Bangladesh President Rescinds University Closure Decree", Reuters, 18 July 1985.

Talibul Islam, " Bangladesh: Ershad to Lift Ban on Political Activities? ", Inter Press Service, 25 June 1985.

" President of Bangladesh Reimposes Martial Law ", The Washington Post, 2 March 1985.

" Strikers in Bangladesh Call for a Democracy ", The New York Times, 5 January 1984.

" Business Hours Curfew in Dhaka ", BBC, 2 December 1983.

" Life in Dhaka Returns to Normal ", The Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 30 November 1983.

" Dhaka University Reopened ", The New York Times, 19 May 1983.

" Dacca and Chittagong Schools Closed ", BBC, 17 February 1983.

" Dhaka University Is Closed ", The Washington Post, 16 February 1983.