No member from the university attended an online Syndicate meeting, called on Friday at 6pm, amid the ongoing crisis at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet).
Professor Dr Md Jahidur Rahman, a professor of the department of computer science and engineering at Jahangirnagar University who attended the meeting, confirmed the matter.
He said detailed information regarding the meeting would be provided by the vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam.
Attempts were made to contact the syndicate president, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam, but he could not be reached. Consequently, the proceedings of the meeting and whether any decisions were taken could not be immediately confirmed.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Sheikh Mohammad Humayun Kabir, serving as member secretary of the syndicate and holding the additional charge of registrar of the university, claimed that he had previously resigned from the post of registrar.
As a result, questions have arisen regarding his current status as member secretary of the meeting.
Professor Dr Md Rashidhul Hasan, dean of the faculty of architecture and planning at Cuet, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “I could not join the online meeting as I was in Bandarban with my family. The Zoom meeting link was provided via WhatsApp message.
“However, I do not have any detailed update or information regarding the Syndicate meeting.”
Attempts were also made to contact Professor Kazi Delwar Hossain, dean of the faculty of electrical and computer engineering, but he could not be reached. Another member, Professor Dr Md Mostafa Kamal, could not attend the meeting due to his mother’s illness.
In addition, attempts were made to contact Professor Dr Sunil Dhar of the department of mathematics, Dr Ibrahim Khan, director of the institute of information and communication technology, and Dr Asif, director of the institute of river, harbour and environmental science, but they could not be reached.
Among external members, attempts were made to contact Professor Dr Md Aynal Haque of the department of electrical and electronic engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), but he could not be reached.
Professor Dr Md Sekandar Chowdhury of the department of Islamic history and culture at Chittagong University also did not attend the meeting.
Earlier, after receiving treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital for nearly a day, the vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam, returned to the Circuit House on Thursday (15 October).
Upon returning there, he called an online Syndicate meeting for Friday at 6pm. However, a member of the Syndicate raised questions over the procedure of calling a meeting via text message.
Professor Kazi Delwar Hossain, dean of the faculty of electrical and computer engineering, said that notice of a meeting is usually sent through the registrar.
A complete shutdown by students and a non-cooperation programme by teachers, officers, and employees continue at Cuet over the dispute regarding the appointment of the vice-chancellor.
This has been disrupting classes, examinations, and normal academic and administrative activities at the university. In this context, the non-attendance of university members at the Syndicate meeting has rendered the ongoing administrative crisis even more uncertain.
Who actually attended?
Out of 17 total syndicate members, where the post of pro-vice-chancellor remains vacant, only six attended Friday’s online session, with no teacher member from Cuet present.
Besides Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam, those who attended the meeting were Dr Md Ziauddin, divisional commissioner of Chattogram; Md Mahbubul Haq Patwary, additional secretary (university) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education; Professor Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chattogram; Professor Dr Mohammad Jahidur Rahman, of Jahangirnagar University; and Engineer Khan Ataur Rahman, a retired director general (TSC) and deputy managing director (DMD) of BTBL.
Professor Dr Mohammad Jahidur Rahman, a professor of the department of computer science and engineering at Jahangirnagar University who attended the session, confirmed that no faculty member from Cuet was present.
