High Court Restores Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Degrees at PSTU

From now on, students studying at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) will be able to complete both Animal Husbandry and Veterinary courses. The university has regained this right following a High Court verdict delivered in response to a writ petition filed against the closure of the Animal Husbandry department a decade ago.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Shashanka Shekhar Sarkar and Justice Urmi Rahman delivered the verdict on Tuesday, February 3. Senior lawyer Barrister M. Badruddoza Badal represented the writ petitioners, assisted by Advocate Mohammad Shahidul Islam Shamim and Advocate Azharul Islam Chowdhury.

Barrister Badruddoza Badal said that, with approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC), PSTU had been awarding separate degrees in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science since 2011. However, due to conflicts between graduates of the two disciplines, the UGC withdrew approval for the Animal Husbandry degree after a Veterinary Science degree holder joined the commission as a member in 2011 and exerted influence over the decision.

He further explained that prospective students later challenged the decision by filing a writ petition. Following favorable rulings from both the High Court and the Appellate Division, both programs continued to operate. However, after the July mass uprising, a Vice-Chancellor holding a Veterinary degree was appointed at the university, who subsequently abolished both programs and introduced a newly combined degree by merging the two disciplines.

In response, two university students, along with guardians, alumni, and the general secretary of the Animal Husbandry Association, filed another writ petition with the High Court. After hearing the petition, the court annulled the previous decision and ordered that all three degrees—Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, and the Combined Degree—remain in operation.

As a result of this ruling, all current students will now have the opportunity to complete both Animal Husbandry and Veterinary courses.

DBTech/DMN/EKH/OR