Vice Chancellor removed after 56 days

Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem has been removed as vice chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) just 56 days after his appointment. Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has been appointed as the new vice chancellor.

Academics have described the replacement of a vice chancellor at a public university after only 56 days as unprecedented in the country. Former CUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Jahangir Alam said, “It is rare for a government to remove its own appointed vice chancellor just 56 days after appointing him.”

Anger has emerged among CUET students over the sudden “removal” of Professor Sayem and the appointment of a KUET teacher as vice chancellor.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Education on Monday evening said Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam had been appointed vice chancellor of CUET with the approval of the President and Chancellor under Section 10(1) of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology Act, 2003. The appointment will remain effective for four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever occurs earlier. He will serve as the university’s chief executive officer and remain on the university campus full time.

Following the announcement, CUET students took to social media to protest the decision.

Several students said they would hold rallies and demonstrations on Monday night demanding that the decision to appoint the new vice chancellor be changed. They will also hold a press conference at 10 am Tuesday at the Shaheed Minar premises of CUET and announce their next course of action.

Abdullah Mahmud Sajid, a final year student of CUET’s Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department, told Agamir Somoy, “Sayem Sir is a teacher at our CUET. He is student friendly. He is very popular among students. He is not involved in factional politics. Since Sayem Sir was appointed, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists have been labeling him as a Awami League agent and an ally of fascism. In the end, he was removed in a humiliating manner. We students cannot accept this.”

He added, “The new VC was the pro vice chancellor of KUET. KUET students had launched a movement against him. We do not know why he had to be brought from KUET and made the VC of CUET. Ordinary students are angry. Many have posted on Facebook saying they will not allow the new VC to enter the campus.”

A CUET student from the 21st batch who did not wish to be named said CUET students consider the matter humiliating. As the most senior batch at CUET, students have reached a consensus among ordinary students on starting the movement under the leadership of the 21st batch. Students from the 19th and 20th batches will actively participate in the movement. They have called on students from every batch to join the programs.

CUET Director of Student Welfare Professor Dr Md Saiful Islam told Agamir Somoy, “There is some tension among the students. We have sat in a meeting about this. We are looking into what can be done.”

After the BNP formed the government, Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CUET was appointed vice chancellor for four years on July 27. He assumed office on July 28.