KUET Crisis Culminates in VC’s Resignation
Professor Dr. Md. Hozrat Ali, the interim Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), has stepped down amid sustained protests by faculty members. On Thursday, May 22, he submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Education, as confirmed by KUET Deputy Registrar Abdur Rahman.
Faculty leaders from the KUET Teachers’ Association had suspended academic activities since May 4 and administrative operations since May 18, placing five key demands that included disciplinary action against accused students.
On the day of the resignation, teachers held an hour-long human chain protest at the foot of the campus landmark "Durbar Bangla" at 11 a.m., reiterating their demand for the removal of the interim VC and the appointment of a qualified, permanent one.
The crisis at KUET initially erupted in February following an attack on students by fellow peers, which led to widespread unrest. Students demanded the resignation of the then VC, a ban on campus politics, and four other conditions. They eventually boycotted classes and examinations, escalating their protest.
The administration gradually gave in to several demands, including the ban on student politics. However, the movement intensified into a one-point demand for the VC’s resignation, drawing nationwide attention. The crisis prompted visits from the Education Adviser and a fact-finding team from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
On April 25, the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division officially removed former VC Professor Dr. Muhammed Maqsud and Pro-VC Professor Dr. S.K. Shariful Alam from their posts.
Following these changes, student protests ceased, and they returned to their residence halls in a relatively calm atmosphere. However, the KUET Teachers’ Association has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, stating that removing top administrators under pressure, without a proper investigation, undermines justice.
Professor Dr. Md. Hozrat Ali, formerly of the Department of Civil Engineering at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), had been appointed interim VC of KUET by a Ministry notification on May 1.
