CUET shutdown enters 12th day

The academic and administrative deadlock at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) continued for the 12th consecutive day yesterday as students continued their “complete shutdown”, demanding the reinstatement of Professor Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.

Agitating students have announced a fresh round of protests, following what they described as “misleading and propagandist remarks” by the newly appointed vice-chancellor on various media platforms.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

“The newly appointed VC has been spreading baseless propaganda against the students online. This has fueled our agitation further,” said Ahnaf Shahriar Arnab, a student of the mechanical engineering department.

“Our movement will continue until Professor Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem is reinstated and a proper resolution to the ongoing crisis at CUET is achieved,” he said.

Students also plan a sit-in and have appealed to the highest policymaking levels of the government to intervene, resolve the impasse and restore a normal academic environment on campus under Professor Sayem’s leadership.

They have warned that the newly appointed VC will not be allowed to enter the campus, reiterating that the strike and shutdown will continue until their demands are formally met.

The turmoil began following an administrative reshuffle on September 21, when the Ministry of Education issued a gazette notification removing Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, who had taken charge as CUET VC on July 27, just 56 days into his tenure. Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of the Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering department at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology was appointed in his place.

The move prompted student protests, leading to a campus-wide shutdown from September 22. Although the newly appointed VC joined office virtually, students have resisted his physical entry to the campus.

Meanwhile, CUET teachers, officials and employees have expressed solidarity with the student movement by joining work stoppages, leaving regular classes, examinations and administrative activities suspended.

No formal administrative or government settlement has been announced yet, leaving thousands of students facing uncertainty over their academic activities.