KUET Corrects Chaos: Culprits Confront Consequences
Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has finally taken disciplinary action nearly seven months after a violent clash and the alleged assault of faculty members. Five students directly involved in the incident have been expelled for varying durations, while another 32 students have been formally warned.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the university’s Student Disciplinary Committee on Sunday, 21 September. On Monday, 22 September, letters were issued to the penalized students.
Professor B. M. Ikramul Haque, Member-Secretary of the Student Disciplinary Committee, said, “A total of five students have been penalized. One student has been expelled for one year and four students for six months. Additionally, 32 students have been issued warnings. The departmental authorities and all concerned parties have been informed of the matter.”
According to university sources, the one-year expulsion was imposed on MSc student Salim Sadman. The six-month expulsions include Omar Bin Hossain of the 23rd batch, Department of Leather Engineering; Shanto Islam of the 21st batch, Department of Textile Engineering; Md. Ridoy of the same batch, Department of Textile Engineering; and Safwan Ahmed Ifaz of the 22nd batch, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering.
Following the February 18 clash, a four-member investigative committee was formed on 19 February by the syndicate to identify the actual perpetrators, chaired by Professor M. M. A. Hashem of the Computer Science and Engineering Department. The committee’s report was presented to the syndicate on 14 April and accepted. Based on the report, 37 students were initially recommended for temporary expulsion. The matter was then forwarded to the Student Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action. However, the expulsion order was withdrawn on 23 April amid student protests.
Subsequently, the government removed KUET’s Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor on 26 April. Professor Hojrat Ali was appointed Interim Vice-Chancellor on 1 May but resigned on 22 May following faculty opposition. On 24 July, Professor Md. Maksud Helali, retired from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BUET, was appointed KUET Vice-Chancellor. After 160 days of institutional paralysis, academic activities at KUET resumed on 29 July.
