The University of Dhaka has long stood as a hub for academic excellence and civic engagement, but it also plays a significant role in promoting public health and community interaction through its open and shared sports culture. In 2024, the university continued its commitment to fostering good health and well-being—core principles of SDG 3—by maintaining open access to its sports grounds and gymnasium for both students and the local community.
Every afternoon, the Central Field and Gymnasium of the University of Dhaka transform into lively spaces of energy and connection. Local youths, university students, and sports enthusiasts from the surrounding neighborhoods come together to play football, cricket, and other recreational games. This culture of openness has made DU’s sports facilities more than just university grounds—they have become an essential part of the social fabric of Dhaka’s urban life. By allowing free community participation, the university encourages physical activity, teamwork, and mental refreshment among city residents, particularly young people who often lack access to safe and spacious playing areas.
Beyond informal community access, the University of Dhaka also maintains a structured and inclusive approach to sharing its sports infrastructure with external organizations. In 2024, several national and local institutions—such as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX), Udayan Higher Secondary School, and the University Laboratory School and College—formally rented the Central Field to host sports and recreational events. Through this arrangement, the university ensures the sustainable use of its facilities while creating opportunities for diverse groups to benefit from its well-maintained sports environment.
This policy of sharing supports both the physical health of the wider community and the social well-being that comes from inclusive participation. It strengthens DU’s relationship with its neighboring schools, colleges, and public bodies, demonstrating how higher education institutions can act as open civic spaces that contribute directly to urban health and cohesion.
By providing open access for the public and formal access for organizations, the University of Dhaka exemplifies how academic institutions can extend their resources beyond campus boundaries to promote collective well-being. The shared use of sports facilities not only enhances community life but also reflects the university’s enduring commitment to building a healthier, more connected, and more active society.
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