The recent political turmoil in Bangladesh has impacted millions in the country. During this time of crisis, thousands of international students were forced to flee due to escalating violence on institutions’ campuses, underscoring a critical responsibility for Institutions: ensuring the safety and well-being of their students, especially those from abroad.
In a statement released on August 11, 2024, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that over 4,500 Indian students have successfully returned to India so far. A total of 340 Nepali students have also returned to Nepal from Bangladesh via the Kakarbhitta transit point on the country’s eastern border.
The majority of the approximately 8,500 Indian students in neighboring Bangladesh were primarily enrolled in medical degree programs, which are significantly more affordable than those in India. Around 3,500 Nepali students are currently studying in universities and colleges in Dhaka and other cities across Bangladesh.
As Institutions increasingly attract a global student body, they must be prepared to protect these students in times of crisis. Here’s how institutions can take proactive steps to ensure that international students are safe, informed, and supported when the unexpected happens.
The Essential Role of Institutions in a Crisis
For many international students, their institution isn’t just a place of learning; it’s their home away from home. The truth is that when crises like political unrest or natural disasters strike, these students are often far from their families and familiar support networks. This means there is a unique responsibility on institutions to not only provide education but also act as a lifeline during challenging times.
The occurrence in Bangladesh has revealed that for students especially from other countries, their lives are in a vulnerable state when there is a strike. As institutions of learning require more than that; they have to be places where students can go to seek protection. For this purpose, it is necessary to create crisis management plans that will meet with needs of foreign students both in terms of safety and information.
Keeping the Lines of Communication Open
One of the biggest issues faced by students during the unrest in Bangladesh was the sudden loss of communication. With internet services and phone lines down, many students were left in the dark, unable to reach their families or get updates on the situation. This isolation only added to the fear and confusion.
Institutions can prevent this by setting up reliable communication systems that work even when local networks are disrupted. This could include emergency hotlines, secure messaging apps, or even satellite communication devices. Regular updates and clear, direct communication from institutions officials can make a world of difference, helping students stay informed and calm during a crisis.
Additionally, institutions should have an early warning system in place. By monitoring local conditions closely and providing timely alerts to students, institutions can give them the information they need to stay safe and make informed decisions.
Ensuring Safe Accommodation and Clear Evacuation Plans
During the Bangladesh crisis, many students found themselves trapped in their hostels, unable to leave due to curfews and roadblocks. This situation highlights the need for institutions to ensure that student accommodations are not only safe but also equipped with clear evacuation plans.
Institutions should regularly review the safety of their student housing, especially in regions that may be prone to political unrest or natural disasters. It’s essential that students know what to do and where to go if an emergency occurs. Evacuation plans should be clear, well-communicated, and practiced regularly, so that when the time comes, everyone knows exactly what to do.
Moreover, institutions should collaborate with local authorities and transportation services to ensure that these evacuation plans can be executed efficiently. Whether it’s arranging transport to safe zones or coordinating with embassies, institutions must be ready to act swiftly to protect their students.
Providing Ongoing Support and Care
Crises don’t just affect students physically; they can also take a heavy emotional toll. Institutions need to offer strong support systems to help students cope with the stress and trauma that can come with these situations.
Counseling services should be easily accessible, and institutions should ensure that these counselors are equipped to handle the specific challenges faced by international students. Whether it’s dealing with anxiety, homesickness, or the stress of the crisis itself, having someone to talk to can make a big difference.
In addition to emotional support, institutions should be ready to assist with practical needs—such as food, medical care, and transportation—and help students stay connected with their families. Creating support networks where students can share their experiences with each other can also be invaluable, offering both emotional support and practical advice.
Collaborating with Embassies and Governments
The management of institutions ought to liaise with the government structures particularly the embassies to ensure the safety of students in countries with social turbulence. This means that through good contact with the embassies, the institutions will be in a position to have good communication and cooperation during disasters.
From this collaboration, there can be coordination in case of an evacuation, protection, and support from various consuls, apart from the acquisition of such resources that may not be easily available. Institutions should also demand policies aimed at the protection of international students and their safe evacuation in case of need.
Learning from Experience: Preparing for the Future
However, the events in Bangladesh also act as a prudent caution for institutions to be ready for anything at any one time. With such increased globalization in the world and institutions admitting students from all over the world, there are far-reaching responsibilities that need to be taken to ensure that students are protected.
Thus institutions by studying such incidents and adopting proper protective measures explain that they are prepared to safeguard their learners no matter the circumstances. This means ensuring that the institutions have efficient means of communication and great emergency response measures established, and support services meet the International student’s needs.
In the long run, therefore, by focusing on the welfare of their learners, institutions are, in fact, conveying that they are institutions that do not only educate but nurture the students who attend their institutions. Thus, they strengthen their image as institutions that can really care for their international community, to make students abroad know that no matter what adverse circumstances they will encounter when they are far away from home, they are looked after.
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