ACADEMIC DEADLOCK AT KUET: Teacher-student protests disrupt normal activities

Khulna Correspondent :

After a long protest, academic activities have not returned to normal at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) despite a change in the vice-chancellor’s post. Although classes were supposed to start on May 4 with the new vice-chancellor taking charge, no class activities have started yet due to teachers’ boycott of classes. This is threatening to cause various crises including session jams.

According to university sources, a terrorist attack on students took place on the campus on February 18 of this year. After this incident, students went on a protest demanding the resignation of the VC, Pro-VC and Director of Student Welfare. In the wake of this two-and-a-half-month-long protest and the students’ hunger strike, the Ministry of Education removed KUET’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Masud, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam.

On May 1, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET)’s Civil Engineering Department Professor Dr. Md. Hazrat Ali. He formally took charge on May 3.

Although academic activities were scheduled to resume from Sunday, May 4, classes were not held due to the Teachers’ Association’s boycott of classes. All class activities will remain closed for the fourth consecutive day until Wednesday, May 7.

Silence remains across the campus. Most classrooms are empty, and dust has accumulated on tables and chairs. Many students say that if this continues, the session jam will be long, which will have a negative impact on their jobs and higher education in the future.

The university’s Student Welfare Director, Professor Dr. Md. Abdullah Ilias Akhter, said, “The Teachers’ Association is adamant on its decision not to go to classes, as a result of which it has not been possible to start classes.”