Eight Chinese students from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies are cutting short their exchange programme at Dhaka University (DU) over security concerns following a series of crude bomb explosions across the campus.

The students were originally scheduled to leave after completing their examinations in the final week of November. However, two of them returned to China on Wednesday, while the remaining six are scheduled to leave on Friday. 

Their home institution has also reportedly instructed them to return.

Professor Mohammad Abul Kawser, provost of Sir P.J. Hartog International Hall, DU's dormitory for foreign students, confirmed the departures to Daily Waadaa after holding a meeting with international residents on Wednesday evening to discuss campus security.

"Two of them witnessed the cocktail explosion at the Faculty of Business Studies (FBS) on November 9 from very close range, leaving them deeply frightened and mentally distressed," Prof Kawser said. 

"Because they are unaccustomed to such incidents in their home country, the fear prompted them to leave early."

To reassure the remaining 18 to 20 international students living at the hall, the provost said the dormitory had remained completely secure even during the July 2024 mass uprising.

He said the hall administration was moving to install CCTV cameras in areas with remaining blind spots following discussions with the university proctor and higher authorities.

While the other foreign residents felt reassured after the meeting and decided to stay, the eight Chinese students had already finalised their travel arrangements.

Prof Kawser warned that the early departures could negatively affect DU's international exchange initiatives and urged the university administration to take swift and effective measures to restore normalcy on campus.

Earlier on Wednesday, DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam also acknowledged that the first two students had left the country over safety concerns.

Over the past several days, multiple crude bomb explosions have rocked key locations across the DU campus, including the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), FBS, the Senate Building, the DUCSU Building, the main entrance, the area in front of Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and inside Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall.

The explosions have left one person seriously injured and triggered widespread panic among students.

In response, the university administration has increased law enforcement patrols and set up checkpoints at campus entrances. However, many students consider the measures insufficient.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the explosions, while the university has filed a case with Shahbag Police Station over the blast at FBS.

Following preliminary findings of an internal inquiry, the university administration has also temporarily suspended one officer and one employee over their alleged involvement in the incident.