BUET Blockade: Students Stage Sit-In with Three-Point Demands
Students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) blocked Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Tuesday, August 25, around 3:45 p.m., pressing for their three-point demand.
During the demonstration, the students also protested against threats made to former BUET graduate engineer Rokonuzzaman Rokon. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Monsur confirmed that vehicular movement at Shahbagh had been suspended for several hours due to the blockade.
The protesters stated that they were continuing their movement by boycotting classes and examinations. Their three demands are:
-
Recruitment Reform – Entry into the ninth grade engineering posts, equivalent to Assistant Engineer or similar designations, must require all candidates to pass a competitive recruitment test, with a minimum qualification of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.
-
Quota Cancellation – No promotions should be granted through quotas or by creating equivalent posts under different titles. The 100 percent quota reserved for diploma holders in the 10th grade (technical) or Sub-Assistant Engineer (or equivalent) positions must be abolished. Instead, the minimum qualification should be set at a Diploma in Engineering, while applicants with higher academic credentials such as BSc or MSc degrees must also be eligible.
-
Title Protection – Strict legal measures must be enforced against anyone using the title “Engineer” without holding a BSc in Engineering degree.
The students vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met.
