Barishal University paralysed as teachers enforce ‘complete shutdown’

Academic activities at Barishal University have come to a complete halt after teachers enforced a “complete shutdown,” suspending all classes, examinations, and administrative academic work amid an escalating dispute over promotion policies and the university statute.

The shutdown began on Wednesday morning (April 22) following a day-long work abstention by faculty members on Tuesday.

The crisis escalated after Associate Professor Mohammad Jamal Uddin, head of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, launched an indefinite hunger strike on April 19 in front of the vice-chancellor’s office, demanding resolution of promotion-related grievances. He fell ill after nearly 23 hours and was admitted to hospital on Monday, later ending the strike due to deteriorating health.

Following the incident, 102 teachers issued a joint statement announcing a work abstention, which was later expanded into a full shutdown of academic activities.

Associate Professor Hafiz Ashraful Haque of the Department of Coastal Studies and Disaster Management said faculty members could not continue academic duties while a colleague was on hunger strike, adding that the situation must be resolved before normal operations resume.

In their statement, teachers cited uncertainty over the university’s statute and governance framework, saying it has created legal complications in academic administration, particularly in promotion procedures. They referred to directives from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which require university statutes, service rules, and administrative frameworks to be formally approved by the Chancellor and Syndicate before implementation.

They warned that without proper approval, ongoing academic processes—including examinations, admissions, and degree issuance—could face legal challenges affecting students’ academic progress.

Barishal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Taufiq Alam said the dispute mainly concerns promotion demands and confirmed that a selection board has already been formed under existing policy. "Promotions would be processed in line with government-approved unified guidelines after proper evaluation," he said.

The vice-chancellor also said discussions have been held with the UGC and expressed hope that the matter would be resolved once formal decisions are received.