Students at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have launched an all-out university shutdown and declared a total boycott of classes and examinations until their demand for the reinstatement of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem is met.
Demonstrating students gathered at the main gate of university on Tuesday morning, locking the entrance and blocking access to prevent newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shaikh Shariful Alam from entering the campus.
The campus remained turbulent throughout the day with continuous demonstrations and chanting.
Single-point demand, total campus shutdown
Protesting students announced a single-point demand calling for the immediate cancellation of the newly issued Vice-Chancellor appointment notification and the issuance of a fresh notification reinstating Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
Alongside this demand, students declared a total shutdown under which all academic activities – including classes, examinations, and laboratory work – as well as administrative operations will remain suspended until their demand is fulfilled, with emergency security and medical services exempted.
Under the announced programme, a mass sit-in and demonstration commenced at 8am in front of the vice-chancellor’s building, involving students from the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th batches.
Students vowed to maintain a firm, united presence in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s building and stated that the announced programme will not be withdrawn until the decision to reinstate Professor Sayem is reached.
Sakib Hasan, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, said that protests began on Monday night against the removal of Professor Sayem without prior notice and confirmed that the shutdown will continue until their demands are realized.
Late-night march and building lockout
The student movement erupted late on Monday night following news of the leadership change.
Around 10:30pm, students brought out a protest rally from Swadhinata Chhattar, marching past Academic Building-2, female dormitories, and the faculty residential area before returning to Swadhinata Chhattar.
Demonstrators chanted slogans including “Dabi moder ektai, Sayem Sir ke VC chai” (We have one demand, we want Sayem Sir as VC) and “VC-r chair kare chay, Sayem Sir kei abar chai” (Who does the VC chair want, it wants Sayem Sir again) before locking the Vice-Chancellor’s building.
Female students participated in significant numbers, joining the late-night march from all three female halls.
Speaking to Times of Bangladesh, Ifaz Tazwar, a third-year student from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, noted that after a long period students had found a Vice-Chancellor who maintained direct communication and assisted with academic and administrative matters.
Expressing frustration over his removal without any stated reason, he demanded Professor Sayem’s immediate reinstatement. Students also expressed concern over administrative continuity, emphasizing that removing a Vice-Chancellor after merely 56 days deprives the institution of seeing his initiatives and plans come to fruition.
Faculty alliance and solidarity rally
The CUET Teachers’ Association expressed solidarity with the student movement, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the notifications regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s removal and appointment, and the reinstatement of Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
At 11am on Tuesday, members of the Teachers’ Association held a human chain in front of the administrative and vice-chancellor’s building, joined by members of the Officers’ Association and Employees’ Association.
Following the human chain, a rally was brought out from the Vice-Chancellor’s building to the Shahid Minar premises.
Addressing the human chain, Professor Dr Bashir Zisan of the Civil Engineering Department disclosed that Professor Sayem was attending a meeting at the Ministry of Defence on Monday and only learned upon leaving that he had been relieved of his post, describing the incident as deeply humiliating.
Professor Zisan added that Professor Sayem had inspired the community with a vision to advance the university, which prompted students to launch an unprecedented movement now supported by faculty members. Professor Md Ahsan Ullah, President of the CUET Teachers’ Association, also raised questions regarding the sudden cancellation of the appointment and the process surrounding the new posting.
‘Unexplained’ dismissal and background of new VC
The unrest was triggered by two separate office orders issued on Monday night by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, relieving Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem from his post to return to his primary role while appointing Professor Dr Shaikh Shariful Alam from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) as the new VC.
However, the government notifications cited no specific reason for replacing the vice-chancellor after just 56 days, creating widespread surprise among faculty and students.
Professor Sayem stated he was completely unaware of the decision beforehand, having attended two university meetings earlier on Monday while preparing to present a summary of his two months of work.
The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Shaikh Shariful Alam, previously served as pro-vice-chancellor at KUET.
During student clashes at KUET in February 2025, his role attracted attention; while Professor Alam claimed he stood by students and attempted to prevent outsiders, a UGC investigation report held KUET’s then VC and Pro-VC responsible for failing to implement security protocols and restrict outsider entry, leading to his relief during administrative restructuring in April 2025.
However, no official government explanation has established a direct link between the KUET events and the current appointment at CUET. Meanwhile, with students, teachers, officers, and employees actively participating, the shutdown has broadened across the campus.
