CUET students launch shutdown over VC replacement

Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have launched a shutdown protest against the decision to replace Vice-Chancellor Prof Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem just 56 days after his appointment.

The students blocked the university’s main gate on Tuesday morning (September 22), bringing classes and administrative activities to a halt.

The teachers’ association also held a human chain in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence, demanding Sayem’s reinstatement.

The protests began Monday night after news broke that Sayem had been replaced. Students marched from Swadhinata Chattar and later locked the administrative building. They resumed demonstrations around 9:30am on Tuesday before closing the main gate from inside and announcing the shutdown.

The students say Sayem was removed without being given any reason and have vowed to continue the movement until he is reinstated. One protester said Sayem had taken several initiatives since assuming office on July 27 and that students were frustrated by his removal after only 56 days.

The Education Ministry on Monday appointed Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology’s Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Department as CUET’s new vice-chancellor, replacing Sayem.

CUET Director of Student Welfare Prof Saiful Islam said academic activities could not resume as students were absent, while administrative work remained suspended because the administrative building was locked. He said no discussions had yet been held with the protesting students.

The teachers’ association joined the demand later Tuesday, holding a separate human chain outside the vice-chancellor’s residence as the campus remained effectively shut.