Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) held a protest rally on Friday following Jummah prayers, rejecting the joining of Prof Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam as the university’s new vice-chancellor.
The protest procession commenced at 2:05pm from premises of the university’s Central Mosque.
During the rally, students chanted slogans including, “Whom do we want as VC? We want Sayem Sir again,” and “We have only one demand, we want Sayem Sir as VC.” The procession subsequently circled the road adjacent to the university’s transport section and concluded at Central Shaheed Minar premises.
Speaking at the venue, demonstrating students announced that a wall-writing and protest graffiti programme would be held at Shaheed Minar premises from 4pm as part of their continuous movement.
Akram Hossain Sujon, a fourth-year student from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering who participated in the rally, said, “Yesterday, Thursday, we learned that Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam sent a joining letter to assume the post of vice-chancellor.”
“Today’s protest rally is in response to this. On the same day, our teachers announced a complete work abstention starting from Sunday. We under no circumstances want Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam as the vice-chancellor,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Prof Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam sent a written joining letter to the president and secretary of the Ministry of Education, mentioning his assumption of the vice-chancellor post at Cuet.
According to university sources, although his joining was administratively completed upon sending the letter, he had not physically arrived at the Cuet campus to take charge as of Thursday.
Cuet students have been demonstrating since 21 September demanding the reinstatement of Abu Shadat Muhammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.
Their ongoing movement has included an all-out shutdown, mass sit-ins, human chains, mass signature campaigns, torch processions, and protest rallies. Alongside the students, the Cuet Teachers’ Association has also demanded Prof Sayem’s reinstatement.
Cuet Officers’ Association announces full work abstention
Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing unrest surrounding the appointment of the new vice-chancellor at Cuet, the Cuet Officers’ Association has declared a full work abstention.
However, emergency service activities will remain outside the purview of the work abstention.
The decision was taken unanimously during an emergency general meeting held online on Friday, according to a statement signed by the association’s President Engr Syed Mohammad Ikram and General Secretary Engr Md Makbul Hossain.
The statement mentioned that the decision was adopted to resolve uncertainty and instability created in academic and administrative activities following the issuance of the vice-chancellor appointment notification, as well as to protect and develop the university’s interests.
Officers’ Association expressed solidarity with the logical stance and demands of the Cuet students, as well as the decision taken by the Cuet Teachers’ Association.
Meanwhile, the organisation called for upholding mutual respect and an appropriate educational atmosphere among teachers, officers, employees, and students of the university.
Moreover, Officers’ Association strongly condemned and protested “false, baseless, misleading, and defamatory” information circulated on social media and media channels regarding members of the Cuet family.
The statement added that an urgent, proper, and effective resolution of the prevailing situation is necessary to maintain the continuity and development of academic, research, and administrative activities in the interest of the university.
Earlier, the Cuet Teachers’ Association also declared a full work abstention expressing solidarity with the ongoing student movement demanding the reinstatement of Prof Sayem as vice-chancellor.
With the Officers’ Association now declaring a work abstention, the active participation of both teachers and officers in the ongoing movement has become further evident.
