CUET students-teachers call of strikes, continue pressing for VC’s resignation

Teachers and students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) withdrew their academic boycott movement after 33 days on Sunday, but pledged to continue protests demanding the resignation of the newly appointed vice-chancellor (VC).

The students first announced the resumption on classes in an open letter around 11am. Around three hours later, the teachers’ group made the same call.

In the open letter, the students said the prolonged class boycotts had harmed their education and threatened their future career path. To avoid sustaining further harm, the students have decided to resume classes, they said.

They also urged the protesting teachers to help them resume studies, and also called on them to help the students realise their “logical demands.”

The students do not want violence or a stalemate on campus, but rather want to continue studies alongside protests, they said, addressing the teachers.

They also said that their peaceful movement demanding the reinstatement of previous vice chancellor, Prof Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, would continue.

They would also remain adamant on their demand for the resignation of the new appointed VC, Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam. If the new VC attempts to re-enter the campus, they would resume stringent movement, the students warned in the letter.

Afterwards, the teachers convened a meeting and following the meeting, announced they would resume academic activities in support of the students.

On 21 September, the authorities removed then VC Prof Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem from the role, and replaced him with Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam.

The following day, the students launched “full-fledged campus shutdown” alleging that the new VC was a partisan figure. The students also said the previous VC was no less competent, and did not deserve removal.

On 12 October, Prof Sheikh Shafirul Alam decided to defy the students’ and teachers’ movement, and entered the campus with support from Chhatra Dal, the ruling party’s student wing.

On the same day, the students besieged him with the Chhatra Dal leaders inside an administrative building on campus, allegedly contributing to his health deterioration.

The following day, district administration authorities and police managed to persuade the agitating students to let Prof Shariful Alam leave the building on health grounds.

The new VC was admitted to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital, and was discharged Thursday. On Friday, he held a syndicate meeting of the university from the Circuit House in Chattogram city.