KUET Crisis: Faculty Demand Vice Chancellor’s Resignation
The Teachers’ Association of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has formally expressed a vote of no-confidence in Interim Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Hazzrat Ali and has called for his immediate resignation.
The demand was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, May 21, at 2:30 PM following the association’s general meeting held in the administrative building of the university.
Speaking on behalf of the association, General Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Faruk Hossain said, “The Vice Chancellor has shown disregard for university rules and regulations, ignored the demands of students and faculty, and failed to act responsibly as the head of the institution. Therefore, the teachers have expressed no confidence in him and demand that he step down immediately.”
He added that Professor Hazzrat Ali left for Dhaka on May 19 citing official duties and had assured faculty members he would return the next day. “However, he has not yet returned to campus. Although he sent back the university vehicle he used, he has been unresponsive while teachers and students have been staging a sit-in protest for three consecutive days. KUET is currently without a guardian. A permanent Vice Chancellor must be appointed immediately,” Hossain stated.
The crisis stems from an earlier incident of violence on campus. On February 25, KUET was declared closed following a clash on February 18, which led to prolonged unrest. In response to a student-led movement and hunger strike, the government removed the then Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor on April 25. Subsequently, Professor Dr. Md. Hazzrat Ali, from the Civil Engineering Department of Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET), was appointed as interim VC on May 1.
Although the syndicate had decided to resume classes from May 4, academic activities have not resumed. The Teachers’ Association has stated that they will not return to class until justice is served regarding the alleged assault of faculty members by students.
