Shutdown programme withdrawn at BUET

Despite observing a “complete shutdown” for the third consecutive day at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on Sunday to press a three-point demand, the protesting students withdrew the programme at night. Earlier, classes and examinations at BUET had been suspended. The students announced that they would continue their movement through systematic programmes.

Around 9:30pm on Sunday, Wali Ullah, president of the Engineers’ Rights Movement, confirmed the matter to the media. “Considering the overall situation, we are withdrawing the complete shutdown programme. However, systematic programmes will continue,” he said. Earlier, around 7:30pm, they held discussions with students from various universities.

Earlier on Wednesday night, at a press conference, the platform Engineers’ Rights Movement announced a complete shutdown at all engineering universities across the country from Thursday.

On Sunday, the BUET campus saw no classes or examinations being held. No students attended the departments, leaving the campus virtually empty. However, the administrative building and other offices remained open.

The protesting students’ three-point demand is as follows: recruitment to the 9th grade assistant engineer post only through examinations with BSc in Engineering as the minimum qualification; enabling higher degree holders to apply for 10th grade posts currently limited to diploma holders; and ensuring that only those who have completed BSc in Engineering may use the title “Engineer”.

The government has formed a committee to examine the professional demands of BSc engineering graduates and diploma holders in the engineering sector and to prepare recommendations.