Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) brought out a protest procession on the 12th day of their ongoing movement demanding the reinstatement of Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
The demonstration was staged in protest against statements given to the media by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam.
Concurrently, the students sought the intervention of the prime minister to resolve the ongoing deadlock at the university.
On Saturday at 2:30pm, the protesting students brought out the procession, describing the newly appointed vice-chancellor’s statement as “misleading and propaganda-oriented.”
In a media interview on Friday, newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Sheikh Shariful Alam claimed that four examinations for the 2023-24 academic year were stalled due to the movement.
However, students said this assertion does not align with the actual situation on campus, clarifying that examinations for almost all departments for that academic year have already concluded, with only one department’s examination yet to start.
The procession commenced at 2:30pm from Shaheed Minar, circled Swadhinata Chattar, and ended back at the Shaheed Minar.
During the march, students chanted slogans including “Your VC, my VC – Sayem Sir, Sayem Sir” and “One point, one demand – We want Sayem Sir as VC.”
Protesters held a banner bearing the message “Seeking the prime minister’s intervention to end the deadlock at Cuet.”
They also displayed placards reading “Prime minister’s intervention to restore Cuet,” “Cuet Revolts for Sayem Sir,” and “PM, Consider Our Appeal.”
The students sought the intervention of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to resolve the deadlock, reinstate Professor Sayem as vice-chancellor, and restore a normal academic environment.
Expressing their grievances, Shahriar Hisham, a third-year student of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (ETE) department, said, “We have been protesting to demand the reinstatement of our Sayem Sir as vice-chancellor.”
“We are angered by the administration’s silence. All our classes and examinations are suspended due to the movement. We seek the intervention of prime minister so that he takes prompt initiative to solve our problem. We want to return to class,” he added.
An “all-out shutdown” programme has been enforced by the students at Cuet since 22 September.
To press home their demand for the reinstatement of Professor Sayem, students have previously observed various programmes, including displaying red cards and holding torch processions.
Regular academic activities at the university remain suspended due to the movement, with examinations across various academic years currently postponed in six departments. The students declared that their movement will continue until their demands are met.
