BAU Correspondent:
Final-year students of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) locked the faculty building and the Dean’s office yesterday (May 7), protesting what they claim is administrative negligence and a lack of transparency regarding their mandatory internship program.
The demonstration began around 12:30 PM, resulting in faculty members being confined inside the building and the suspension of academic activities, including classes and exams, for all years.
Students said the internship, newly introduced into their academic curriculum, is essential for their practical training and professional development. While other faculties have already briefed students on internship details—such as schedules and allowances—students from this faculty say they have been left in the dark.
“We’ve completed our final exam form fill-up, yet there’s no official notice about the internship,” a student said, requesting anonymity. “This program carries 5 academic credits. We deserve to know how it will be conducted.”
The protestors alleged discrimination, claiming that other departments were informed well in advance about internship logistics, whereas they received no such communication.
Responding to the allegations, Professor Dr. Md. Zainul Abedin, Dean of the faculty, acknowledged that while the university syndicate has approved the internship initiative, allowances will not be available this year.
“Our faculty only submitted the proposal for internships this year, unlike others who did so three years ago,” he said. “The University Grants Commission has approved the scheme starting from next year. For now, we haven’t received any directive or funding, so we cannot offer further details.”
