CUET VC enters administrative building by breaking padlock

The newly appointed vice chancellor of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, broke the lock on the administrative building and entered his office on Monday, after 21 days of student protests.

He arrived at the campus in Raozan around 8:45am on Monday (12 October) and entered the administrative building, then went to the VC's office.

Tensions have been running high at CUET for several weeks over the appointment. The protesting students are demanding the reinstatement of former VC Professor Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.

They have been boycotting classes and exams and holding various other programmes in support of the demand.

A section of teachers, officers and employees has also gone on work abstention in solidarity with the students.

As a result, both academic and administrative activities have been stalled for a long time, and the disruption has left the continuity of the academic calendar uncertain.

Uncertainty over Professor Alam's joining the campus had persisted since his appointment. Amid student opposition and the work abstention, administrative work at the university came to a virtual standstill. It was in this context that the VC entered the building by breaking the lock on Monday morning.

His entry into the office has added a new dimension to the situation at CUET. However, no information was immediately available on whether the students' movement and the work abstention would end.

Attempts to reach Professor Alam by phone for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond.

It also could not be immediately learned whether the administration and the protesters had reached any understanding to end the deadlock.

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