The standoff at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) continued on Thursday, with tensions running high as students, teachers, officers and employees demanded the reinstatement of Prof Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.
Students locked the university’s main gate and began a sit-in around 9:00am following reports that newly appointed VC Prof Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam might arrive on campus. They chanted slogans and prevented vehicles from entering the university.
However, Prof Shariful had not entered the campus by 3:30pm and was staying at the Chittagong Circuit House.
Meanwhile, teachers, officers and employees staged a sit-in in front of the VC’s office, also demanding Prof Sayem’s reinstatement.
Academic and administrative activities have remained suspended for 17 days amid the protests. Students alleged that the government had yet to take any initiative to resolve the deadlock.
CUET student Abdullah Al Mamun said Prof Sayem had taken several student-friendly initiatives to modernise the university within 56 days of taking office.
“He was removed without any allegation against him. This is unjust. Our movement will continue until he is reinstated,” he said.
Students began protesting on the night of September 21 against the decision to replace Prof Sayem. The following day, they launched a “complete shutdown”, boycotting classes and examinations and holding sit-ins, human chains and signature campaigns. The CUET Teachers’ Association has also expressed solidarity with the movement.
On September 21, the government issued a notification removing Prof Sayem as VC and appointing Prof Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) as his replacement.
Prof Sayem was appointed CUET VC on July 27, but was removed just 56 days later, prompting students to launch immediate protests. The ensuing movement has kept the university’s regular academic activities suspended.
