New VC unable to get in CUET campus, awaits signal from government agencies
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Despite staying in Chittagong for three days, newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam, has been unable to enter the campus.
Faced with protests from teachers and students, he has also been unable to assume his duties. Professor Shariful said that intelligence agencies and law enforcement forces are in communication with the protesters, and he is waiting for the situation to stabilize.
The all-out shutdown at CUET continued for the third consecutive day on Thursday, driven by the demand to reinstate Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem to the post of Vice Chancellor. All academic activities, including classes and examinations, remain suspended, and administrative operations have come to a standstill.
However, teachers clarified that they have not suspended academic activities; rather, classes and exams cannot be conducted because students are not attending.
On Thursday morning, protesting students formed a human chain at the campus Shaheed Minar premises. Urging the government to accept their demands and reopen the campus, they released pigeons carrying a peace message via an open letter.
Later in the afternoon, a torch procession was announced for the evening during a press conference. General students were urged not to be misled and to maintain the complete shutdown until the decision to reinstate Professor Sayem is finalized.
In the morning, the CUET Teachers' Association marched to the human chain to express solidarity with the students. The president of the association, Professor Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah, stated that the teacher association's final stance would be announced in a press conference later in the afternoon.
On the evening of September 21, a notification was issued appointing Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) as Vice Chancellor, replacing Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, who had been appointed on July 27. Students began protesting that same night over his removal after just 56 days in office. The "complete shutdown" program has been ongoing since September 22.
Following the notification of his appointment, Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam arrived in Chittagong from Khulna on Tuesday night. Speaking over the phone on Thursday afternoon, he said:
"If I wished, I could join in any way possible. But simply joining is not the primary concern. I am observing the situation. Various government bodies, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies are looking into the matter. They are communicating with the stakeholders of the movement. Once the situation stabilizes, I will certainly join in."
Providing details about his communications with senior faculty members and deans, Professor Shariful said, "Senior members of the teachers' association do not agree with this movement. A few junior teachers are involved. I have spoken with the president of the Teachers' Association. I also spoke with the Dean of Electrical Engineering, Professor Dolon, and Professor Abu Kawsar of the Science Faculty, emphasizing that classes and exams should not remain suspended—because ultimately, teachers will have to be accountable for this. I have also instructed the security department to ensure that the campus remains safe."
"They have the right to protest. However, protesting without leaving room for negotiation is not desirable. I am a faculty member at KUET; that does not make my appointment at CUET illegal. CUET is not an institution outside the country, and I myself am an alumnus of CUET. The government considered me qualified, which is why I was appointed."
Professor Shariful also commented that there might be political instigation behind the movement, adding, "Intelligence agencies are investigating this matter."
Acknowledging the communication, CUET Teachers' Association President Professor Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah said, "He (Shariful) was my student, and we have a personal relationship. However, as the president of the Teachers' Association, I represent a platform here. I cannot go against the decision of the forum."
Professor Dr. Kazi Delwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at CUET, said, "He (Shariful) called me. What can we do regarding conducting classes and exams? We did not suspend them. If students do not come to class, what can we do? A path for dialogue needs to be established. I cannot do that myself; those in charge can."
CUET Director of Student Welfare, Professor Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam, said, "Our campus is unstable, but not unsafe. Hostel activities are running properly. We, the teachers, are attending classes. Even this afternoon, teachers went to the exam halls. However, the students maintain that they will not return to classes until their demands are met."
