The invisible people of BracU: Guardians in silence

In the heart of Brac University, a core group of security staff ensures the safety of the entire community, often putting in efforts that go unnoticed. We spoke with 4 such dedicated guardians: Mushtari Begum, Md. Attab Uddin, Md. Abdul Alim, and Md. Mahmudul Hasan, who have each spent more than 15 years safeguarding the campus and its people.

The typical shift spans 10 hours, including 2 hours of assigned overtime. Duties are varied and constant, ranging from monitoring the main and adjacent gates to patrolling the library, labs, and various entries and exits, alongside managing emergency and fire safety protocols. The long hours can be grueling, but as Alim noted, they have become adjusted to the schedule over the years.

For Mushtari Apa, this commitment is deeply personal. Her inspiration to work at BracU comes from having seen the primary school by BRAC and women’s development work in villages, where she had served for 6 years previously. Her life is a constant juggle between campus security and the care of her son, Mishu, who has special needs. She wakes up at 4 am every morning to prepare for her son before starting her workday.

Despite their dedication, the staff often face difficult interactions. Attab Bhai mentioned facing students without an ID Card, walking past him, not showing the slightest acknowledgement, which happens regularly, when they are simply trying to do their job. The emotional toll is sometimes severe. Alim Bhai recounted how some students and parents alike react aggressively at times. He stated that despite the abuse, they try their best to protect them. For him, simply finishing a day without any reports or complaints is the most satisfying outcome.

However, Attab Bhai affirmed that he also received the deserved respect, crediting the university’s zero-discrimination policy. Mahmud Bhai offered a measured perspective, “All members in a family will not be equal; only a few create such situations, most of the students behave nicely”. The commitment to their work often comes at a personal cost. Attab Bhai smiled as he shared that while his older child understands his job, his younger daughter still does not speak to him when he is away for long periods. Mushtari Apa added that most of their family members have accepted the reality of their long hours by now.

For her, this dedication is absolute. “Students here are like my children. I have dedicated my whole life to them and I am ready to sacrifice it” she declared, recollecting how she put her life at risk when she was captured by the police at gunpoint last July. When asked about the ultimate reward in return, she stated “Students and alumni from various countries come back and hug us. I cannot describe that feeling in words; I feel complete. On those days, I feel like I have made an impact”.

They may be the first to respond to an emergency or development, the last to leave after a long day, and the ones who quietly bear the brunt of student frustrations, but for the dedicated guardians of BracU, the single moment of returning a hug to a student is all the acknowledgment they need.