KUET Crisis Continues as Acting VC Leaves Amid Deadlock

In the midst of an ongoing impasse at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Hazrat Ali has reportedly left his post and traveled to Dhaka. On Monday (May 19), he informed a senior dean over the phone about his departure, though his exact location remains undisclosed. However, according to leaders of the KUET Teachers' Association, the acting VC remains in contact with the faculty.

The crisis began after academic activities resumed at KUET on May 4, when faculty members launched a boycott of classes in support of five major demands. The teachers' initial seven-day ultimatum expired on Thursday (May 15). Following further incidents, including the alleged harassment of faculty members on February 18 and 19, the Teachers’ Association announced a second ultimatum on Monday, giving the administration until Tuesday at noon to resolve the crisis.

As part of this new phase of protest, faculty members staged a sit-in outside the VC’s office from noon on Monday. During this protest, when association leaders attempted to meet with the VC, they learned that he was not present in Khulna.

“We are giving the administration until Tuesday noon to resolve the deadlock. If the demands are not met by then, we will announce further action,” said Md. Faruk Hossain, General Secretary of the KUET Teachers’ Association, during a press briefing.

He added, “We want a return to normal academic activity. Teachers are eager to return to class, and students have assured us of their respect and support. So why is the administration still silent? We are now on the eighth day of the work stoppage.”

He held the KUET administration responsible for the ongoing disruption and cited the Registrar as saying that the VC was expected to return from Dhaka on Tuesday, although no official correspondence had been issued regarding his absence or any temporary delegation of responsibility.

Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Humanities and a senior member of the Mathematics Department, stated, “The VC informed me on Sunday via phone that he would be traveling to Dhaka and returning on Tuesday (May 20). However, I have not received any formal delegation of responsibility.”

KUET Teachers’ Association President Professor Md. Shahidul Islam stated, “We will wait until Tuesday at noon. If the situation remains unresolved, further programs will be announced. We will hold a sit-in outside the VC’s office starting at 11:30 AM on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, several students from KUET’s 19th batch were present during Monday’s protest and expressed their frustration. “We demand that classes resume immediately. Our batch is the worst affected. Two of our exams are pending, and over 1,000 students are at risk of session jam. One thousand students mean one thousand affected families,” they said.

General students continue to demand the dissolution of the investigation committee formed during the tenure of former VC Professor Dr. Mohammad Masud. However, some have opposed forming a new committee, fearing further delays. “We are not in favor of forming a new committee. That will only drag things further. We want the current committee to complete the investigation and end the deadlock quickly,” the students said.