| Teacher-Student Centre | |
|---|---|
| ছাত্র-শিক্ষক কেন্দ্র | |
| TSC,lawn.jpg Teacher-Student Centre |
|
| Alternative names | TSC |
| General information | |
| Type | Recreational Centre |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Coordinates | |
| Completed | 1961 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Konstantine Doxiades |
The Teacher-Student Center (TSC) of the University of Dhaka is an important social and activity center which is equally a historically significant architectural monument. It is situated within the Dhaka University campus area, Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It certainly has emerged to render service to the student and teacher as well as to other communities of the society with its facilities, nurturing the country’s culture in its own right.
Contents |
It was established in 1961 under the Dhaka University Authority. It was build to build love and equally responsibility towards the nation within the students heart as well as to provide a versatile socio-cultural activities and friendly terms amongst the students and teachers ,who could spread their knowledge outside the classroom . The construction of the TSC was financed by the then Pakistan Government and Ford foundation. Certain parts of the area where the TSC is now situated used to be some parts of the old Sujatpur Palace grounds (the oldest Nawab Mansion in Shahbagh),which stood there before TSC was built. There was a Greek cemetery in the west side of the race course (Sohrawardi Udyan) , which is possibly where the guest rooms behind the TSC cafeteria is. Many historically important political meetings and discussions were held at the TSC during the liberation war of Bangladesh, 1971. Even now the same trend continues regarding political situations amongst the students .
The Teacher-Student centre was designed by Konstantinos Doxiadis, a Greek architect-planner. The Centre is an example of modern architecture as it respects the local culture, climate, and indigenous spatial arrangement around a court. As a unique feature it has an extra butterfly canopy (double roof ) extended over the main block at the front to keep it cool .This Complex brings together dining rooms and meeting rooms, library and reading rooms, art and music rooms, stage and multipurpose hall, games rooms, film lab, rehearsal rooms, etc. . under one roof. These form the social and cultural heart of the campus. The complex has some extensions which were built during the 1980s that allowed north-south cross-ventilation . As one enters TSC, as it is popularly known , a sculpture of crows in flight by Ekushey award winning sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan greets the visitors. Across the green lawn to the east of the TSC , a small Greek Mausoleum stands distinctively . It is the only surviving mausoleum in the fond memory of Demetrius, which was built in 1915. The Government architect designed this small square structure as a classical Doric monument rather than in a more ecclesiastical style. It has a flat roof and projecting frontons on all sides , with entrance on the east, that transforms the square plan into a cruciform shape. It is the only trace of the small Greek community that existed in Bangladesh in the 19th century. The mausoleum still has nice epitaphs attached to the wall, most of which is written in classical Greek. The TSC complex also contains a pair of small Siva temples, and a dwarf monument in between, inside the swimming pool enclave. The swimming pool is currently not in use.
Teacher-Student Centre is an all-campus activity centre designed for relaxation and guidance. It has its value as community centre unifying the life of the university and serves as a sponsor of self-directed activity in which students learn that they are responsible for the welfare of their university and their country. The Centre seeks to foster a type of campus community life which supplements the formal Academic program of the University Students and faculty members mingle in the cafeteria and the bookstore , sports and recreational areas. Recognized campus organizations hold their meetings and functions, lectures and arts exhibitions here. Discussion sessions are frequently scheduled, journals and bulletins published, and competitions held, giving the university a varied and interesting programme of cultural and social events.
TSC, in the meantime, designated and fixed few dates for some events. For example, Basanta Utshab (13-14 Feb) ,which is Bengali spring festival , Boishaki Utshab (15–19 April), which is Bengali New year festival , Fete de la Musique (2 July) and Friendship Day (First Sunday of August). These festivals bring in many activities which includes local fairs , face painting ,music, drama, dances and colourful dress codes (wearing yellow attires at spring festival and red and white signifies new year). TSC created a working field by the formation of the Dhaka University Cultural Team with a new approach which reflected a great impact amongst the student community. T.S.C is resounded by the teachers, students of different halls, activists of socio-cultural organizations with various programmes of educational, co-curricular and entertainments; national and international seminars, symposia, fresher's and fare-well receptions and orientation programmes of different Departments and Institutes.
The students activities also included donating reliefs , for example during the devastating flood of 1987 and also the recent cyclone SIDR. Students prepared food and saline for the flood affected people for over four months that year. The centre also holds the facilities of a voluntary blood donation organization, called Badhan, organized by the students of the University.
The Teachers Students Centre is a very popular, demanding and highly active hub for a variety of social and cultural activities and events. It is a free centre which invites not only students and teachers but also others, uniting together for nations progress. The Centre also houses the office of the Dhaka University Debating Society, Dhaka University Film Society, Dhaka University Tourist Society, Dhaka University Journalists Association, Dhaka University Chess Club, different Socio-Cultural Groups of the students, Rover Scout, Dhaka University Publication Centre, Bank, Utility-shop and Food Corner.
Dhaka University campus, Shahbagh, Dhaka,Bangladesh.
Internet References:
• http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/G_0203.HTM,26th April 2011