Academic shutdown declared at Barishal University

The teachers' community of Barishal University (BU) has announced a full-fledged 'academic shutdown' from April 22 to demand the resolution of promotion, legal and administrative issues. A full-day work abstention will be observed on April 21.

The programme was announced in a press release sent by the teachers' community on Monday, April 20. It stated that if demands are not met, all academic activities will be suspended indefinitely from April 22, with teachers also refraining from administrative duties.

Earlier, Dr Md Jamal Uddin, Chairman of the Soil, Water and Environment Science department and Associate Professor, observed a 24-hour hunger strike over the same demands. He broke his fast at 7:00 pm on Monday in solidarity with the teachers' demands.

Proctor Rahat Hossain Faisal said the vice-chancellor has made various statements regarding promotions at different times but has taken no effective steps. Teachers who joined other universities at the same time received promotions long ago, while Barishal University has so far shown failure in this matter.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Toufiq Alam said a selection board was convened according to the university's own rules for promotions, but later the UGC sent a letter instructing the university to follow a uniform policy. He said they are in regular communication with the UGC and have held multiple meetings, with communication ongoing with the UGC chairman as well, expressing hope for a resolution.

The teachers' community claims that promotion activities have been conducted based on syndicate-approved rules since the university's establishment, but the recent UGC directive has complicated the process.