KUET Students Seek Sincere Solace: Open Letter Apologizes to Faculty Amid Crisis

General students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have issued an open letter to the university's faculty, apologizing for recent incidents and clarifying their position. The letter was handed over to Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Hazrat Ali on Monday, May 5. Earlier in the day, during a dialogue with the Vice-Chancellor, the students had agreed to formally apologize to the teachers.

Along with the open letter, students also submitted previous communications and a list of identified fake social media accounts allegedly used to spread misinformation.

Addressing their teachers, the students wrote, “You are our mentors, akin to fathers, and guiding lights. Your teaching, direction, and affection are the foundation of our lives. We wish to grow under your care, and become worthy individuals.”

Expressing remorse for the recent events, they added, “We stand before you with bowed heads, sincerely apologizing from the depths of our hearts. If any of our actions, words, or circumstances have caused even the slightest pain to you, we are ashamed, sorrowful, and repentant.”

Clarifying that their movement was never against the faculty, the students alleged that “a conspiratorial and self-serving group is using fake social media accounts to deliberately spread rumors and propaganda. This malicious campaign is a deplorable attempt to damage the teacher-student relationship. Our protest was never directed at the teachers but was against a failed administration.”

In conclusion, they stated, “We are like your children, and children do make mistakes. But the strength of a child lies in learning from those mistakes and striving to return to the right path. We are truly remorseful.”

It is to be noted that although KUET reopened on May 4 after a shutdown of over two months, the KUET Teachers’ Association has continued to boycott classes in protest of an incident involving the mistreatment of faculty members. On the second day of the boycott, Monday, teachers reiterated their five-point demand, which includes justice for those responsible for harassing teachers, and issued a seven-working-day ultimatum.

Following a general meeting, the Teachers' Association held a press conference where Professor Dr. Md. Faruk Hossain, General Secretary of the Association, presented a written statement. “The general meeting of the Teachers’ Association was held on Monday, and five key demands were decided upon. If these demands are not fulfilled, teachers will refrain from all administrative duties,” he declared.

Earlier in the day, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Hazrat Ali held a meeting with all students at the KUET auditorium. At 3:00 PM, students formally submitted the open letter to the Vice-Chancellor, seeking forgiveness and affirming their stance.