CUET paralyzed by 'complete shutdown' in protest over VC change
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has been paralyzed by a "complete shutdown" by students and a work stoppage by teachers. All academic activities, including classes and exams, have been suspended.
Students say they will continue their movement until former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, who was removed just 56 days after his appointment, is reinstated. Teachers have made the same demand.
After staying restless with processions and gatherings until midnight, agitated students locked the university's main gate around 8:30 am on Tuesday and resumed their protests. They declared a complete shutdown.
Abdullah Mahmud Sajid, a final-year student in CUET's Materials and Metallurgical Engineering department who is taking part in the movement, told Agamir Somoy, "The notification changing the vice-chancellor must be canceled. Professor Sayem must be given back the responsibility. He was appointed for four years. Our only demand is that a new VC be appointed after he serves his full term. Our complete shutdown program will continue."
Around 10:30 am, the CUET Teachers' Association held a human chain in front of the Vice-Chancellor's Building. Most teachers took part. Teachers commented that the process by which Professor Sayem was removed from his post was insulting to the teaching community. A work stoppage was announced from the human chain.
Due to the situation, the university's academic and administrative activities have come to a halt. CUET buses also did not run.
CUET Registrar Professor Humayun Kabir said that, in line with a decision of the Teachers' Association's general meeting, the human chain program was held. Teachers agree on the demand to return the former vice-chancellor to his post.
After the BNP government was formed, Professor Dr. Sayem of CUET's Mechanical Engineering department was appointed vice-chancellor for four years on July 27. He took charge on July 28. After 56 days, on Monday, he was removed and Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed in his place.
After the Ministry of Education issued the notification on Monday evening, widespread anger erupted among CUET students. The CUET campus became restless with processions and gatherings late into the night over the vice-chancellor's "removal." Hundreds of students came out of various dormitories and gathered in front of the Central Shaheed Minar on campus. A lock was placed on the Vice-Chancellor's Building. After protesting until 12:30 am, the students returned to their dormitories.
