Invisible People of BracU: The unsung heroes of our departments

Across the campus, a community of hardworking and resilient members are always working in
the background, without whom all departments would stop functioning. They carry a demanding
schedule throughout the week and hefty workloads that often go unnoticed, yet their dedication
and sense of purpose that they draw from their work continue to anchor the university
community.

Nazma, an employee in the department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS), begins her day
before sunrise and works from 7.30 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. After returning home, she
cooks, completes household tasks, and often sleeps only 2 to 3 hours a night. Similarly, Moni
from BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) could not shift to a suitable place near the new
campus. As a result, she travels on foot from Mohakhali to Badda every day, walking a total of 2
hours before and after a 10-hour shift. Her responsibilities continue at home, where she manages
cooking and cleaning, leaving her only 4 hours of rest.

In the vast area where the Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS) and Computer Science and
Engineering (CSE) departments are located side by side, only a few staff members are assigned.
With no designated receptionists, they rotate responsibilities to support more than 50 faculty
members on both sides. Despite the substantial amount of workload and the added pressure of
departmental programs and examination periods, along with the occasional frustration from
students, they continue to do their work without a single complaint.

CSE’s Saidul Islam, who could not complete his own education, still dreams of a brighter future.
He cycles to campus early each morning to exercise and is also taking Japanese classes at BracU,
hoping to study and work in Japan someday. On the other hand, Wahiduzzaman and his wife are
both working at BracU, leaving their younger son in daycare during working hours. However, he
also travels to Khulna every week to see his six-year-old, who has now surpassed the age of
being in a daycare and has to live with his grandmother, away from his parents.

For many, the university has become the center of their lives, leaving very little room for
spending time with their dearest ones. The rising cost of living expenses places an additional
strain on their already limited incomes, and despite working long hours the entire week, they
struggle to make ends meet. Let their efforts be a reminder that those who work quietly behind
the scenes deserve to be seen, acknowledged, and valued.