Twelve professors from prominent international universities have written letters supporting Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, the former vice-chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet).
The international academic backing comes as Cuet students continue demonstrations on campus demanding Sayem’s reinstatement.
The scholars represent 12 institutions across five countries – the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway.
In their letters, they highlighted key research projects, grants, and educational partnerships built under Sayem’s leadership.
Academic collaborations and global grants
From the United Kingdom, Mostafiz Rahman of Birmingham City University commended Sayem’s leadership and professionalism in formulating a grant proposal for British Council Transnational Education.
Rupam Das from University of Exeter detailed Sayem’s work in proposing a joint MSc programme between Cuet and Exeter, advocating for disability-friendly engineering education, and opening PhD opportunities for CUET students.
In addition, Professor Mamdud Hossain of Robert Gordon University in Scotland cited an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) project proposal submitted to the British Council.
From Australia, Professor GM Shafiullah of Murdoch University stated that Sayem initiated talks with the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh regarding PhD scholarships and led discussions for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cuet and Murdoch University.
Associate Professor Nazmul Huda of Macquarie University and Professor Aman Oo, dean at University of the Sunshine Coast – who previously supervised Sayem – both praised his student-centric leadership style.
From the United States, Mohammad Rabiul Hossain of tUniversity of Central Oklahoma, who has known Sayem since 2003, highlighted their joint research on brain aneurysm treatments and assistive technology, as well as a joint grant application submitted to a US federal agency.
Professor Prashanta Dutta of Washington State University noted that Sayem was invited as a keynote speaker at the ICMERE conference in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
Professor Nandita Biswas, also of Washington State University, cited Sayem’s key role in establishing the SKB Memorial Scholarship in 2024 and his initiative to convert Cuet’s old library building into a research centre.
From New Zealand, Professor Masud Khan of Auckland University of Technology, who served as Sayem’s PhD supervisor, described him as a dynamic leader actively fostering global academic links.
From Norway, Professor Soumen Rudra of University of Agder detailed Sayem’s contributions to the NORPART-funded CARE project (2022–2027), which facilitates exchange programmes for roughly 40 students and 20 staff members.
He also noted Sayem’s initiative in establishing a Renewable Energy Hub at CUET funded by the Norwegian Embassy.
Letter to prime minister and student protests
In a separate letter sent directly to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Md Abdus Salam of Southern Utah University in the US called for Sayem’s reinstatement as vice-chancellor.
Describing Sayem as a politically neutral and internationally recognised researcher, Salam requested government intervention regarding the university’s current situation.
The administrative disruption began on 21 September when the Ministry of Education issued a notification relieving Sayem of his post and appointing Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam as the new vice-chancellor.
Students launched protests that night opposing the order. Although Alam subsequently joined office online, students rejected his assumption of duties and have continued their protest programmes on campus.
