Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Saiful Islam has expressed regret for his absence during the incident of Abrar Fahad murder.
He said: "I am extremely sorry as I could not appear on time."
He blamed his poor communication skill for his absence.
The vice chancellor was holding a discussion with the protesting students regarding the brutal killing of Abrar Fahad.
The discussion started at the Buet auditorium around 5:30pm on Friday.
Earlier in the day, the university students confirmed the schedule while continuing their demonstration for the fifth consecutive day, protesting Abrar's murder and demanding capital punishment for the killers.
However, all the national media agencies were requested to not publish or broadcast live during the meeting.
The agitated students also requested the media to bring maximum two members from each agency to cover the discussion.
On Thursday, the students threatened to lock down all the academic and administrative buildings of Buet if the VC failed to meet them by Friday.
Later, on the same day, the VC Prof Saiful Islam agreed to meet them on Friday.
Abrar, a second year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department of Buet, was beaten to death early Monday.
Some Chhatra League leaders have been accused of beating him for his alleged involvement with Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Meanwhile, Abrar's father Barkat Ullah filed a murder case against 19 people with Chawkbazar police station on Monday evening.
Later, Bangladesh Chhatra League expelled 11 of its members permanently from the organization for their involvement in the murder.
As of Friday, 18 people have been arrested in connection with the murder.