CUET Shutdown Commences Over Vice Chancellor Removal

Amid ongoing technological modernizations and academic automation drives across engineering higher education, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) was hit by an all-out shutdown as students protested the sudden change in Vice-Chancellorship. Teachers, officers, and staff members also expressed solidarity by holding a human chain demonstration on campus.

Earlier today, Tuesday (22 September), students gathered at the main university gate to prevent newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam from entering the campus. The entire campus remained tense with slogans and continuous demonstrations throughout the day.

During the rally, protesting students declared a one-point demand: "The recently issued notification regarding the appointment of the new VC must be immediately cancelled, and Prof. Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem must be reinstated as CUET Vice-Chancellor through a new notification."

The students announced their upcoming action programs:

1. All-Out Shutdown: All academic activities (classes, exams, and labs) and administrative operations will remain suspended until demands are met. Emergency and medical services are exempted.

2. Mass Sit-in and Protests: Mass sit-ins and protests involving students from 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th batches will continue daily in front of the VC building from 8:00 AM.

3. VC Building Siege: Students will maintain a unified stance in front of the VC building. The protest will not be withdrawn until Dr. Sayem is reinstated.

Zulkarnain Mihad, a 4th-year student of the Mechanical Engineering Department, stated, "Although appointed for a 4-year tenure, Sayem Sir was removed after just 56 days without any explanation. We gathered today in protest and will continue until our single demand is accepted."

The CUET Teachers' Association expressed solidarity with the students, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the notification and the reinstatement of Prof. Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. At 11:00 AM, teachers held a human chain in front of the administrative building, joined by the Officers' and Staff Associations.

Speaking at the human chain, Prof. Dr. Basir Zishan of the Civil Engineering Department remarked, "Yesterday, Dr. Sayem was attending a meeting at the Ministry of Defense. Upon exiting, he learned he was no longer VC. This is extremely humiliating."

He added, "Dr. Sayem showed us a vision of how to lead this university forward. That is why students and teachers have united in an unprecedented movement for his reinstatement. We want Dr. Abu Sadat Sayem back as VC."

When contacted, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam commented, "VC appointments are made by the government. The government appoints whoever it deems qualified. Whoever holds the post, I request students not to hamper academic progress. I am open-minded and will try to solve this through dialogue. I hope there won't be any issue."

On the night of 21 September, Prof. Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem was removed from the post of CUET VC, and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam was appointed as the new VC. Protesting this decision, CUET students staged intense demonstrations last night and locked the Vice-Chancellor's residence.

//DBTech/ASG/SME/BOP//