Students at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) are observing a previously announced total blockade in protest at the change of vice-chancellor. The programme began at 9am on Tuesday.
Students gathered at CUET’s main gate in the morning. They then locked the main gate and took up position there. They chanted various slogans in protest at the removal of the previous vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
CUET’s teachers held a human chain in front of the university’s vice-chancellor’s building at 11am on Tuesday over the same demand. They called for Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem to be reinstated and made a number of speeches.
Professor Dr Rashedul Hasan, dean of CUET’s faculty of architecture and planning, said: “In one month and 22 days we saw visible progress. Pace and vitality came into the work. New life returned to the university. There was progress in cooperation with various institutions at home and abroad too. Why was he removed within just one month and 22 days? We want to know the clear and rational reason for it.”
He said: “The new vice-chancellor is a former student of CUET. We have respect for him. But we want Professor Sayem reinstated, so that the university’s continuing development is not interrupted. We will hold our position until a rational explanation is given.”
Professor Dr Bashir Jisan of CUET’s civil engineering department said: “A movement demanding that a vice-chancellor be kept in post is a rare thing. But the students here are doing it, because he gave them a vision. The government appointed him vice-chancellor after scrutiny. So why has he been removed again?”
He added: “This has demeaned the teaching community and CUET. Students and teachers want him reinstated. The notification of the new appointment must be withdrawn. Otherwise the person who has newly arrived should not have to be humiliated in any way either. The situation is heading that way.”
University officers and staff at the human chain also expressed solidarity with the teachers’ demand.
Sakib Hasan, a fourth-year student in the mechanical engineering department, said: “Our programme has been going on since last night in protest at the removal of our vice-chancellor, Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem sir, without any reason. Following on from that we have announced a campus blockade today. The programme will continue until the demand is met. Sayem sir is a teacher who is a friend to CUET and to students. We want him reinstated.”
Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem was removed from the post of CUET vice-chancellor on Monday night. At the same time, Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed CUET’s new vice-chancellor.
Students demonstrated on Monday night in protest at the decision. At the end of the demonstration they padlocked the vice-chancellor’s residence. They then declared all academic and administrative activity at the university suspended until further notice.