CUET Shutdown Stalls Campus Operations

A prolonged shutdown at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has brought both academic and administrative operations to a standstill. Students have boycotted classes and examinations since September 22, while teachers, officers and employees have joined work stoppages demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem.

The dispute centres on Professor Dr Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem. He was removed as CUET vice-chancellor only 56 days after taking office. Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology’s Electronics and Communication Engineering Department was then appointed as the new vice-chancellor. Students began protesting on September 21 and launched a complete shutdown the following day.

On Sunday, September 27, the sixth day of the student movement, CUET teachers observed a full work stoppage alongside the student shutdown. Teachers held a sit-in outside the administrative building, while students blocked the main campus gate. Students also organised a symbolic “56?” question march, challenging the decision to remove Sayem only 56 days after his appointment.

The administrative deadlock expanded as university officers and employees joined the movement. On October 1, the tenth day of the student movement, teachers, officers and employees observed their fifth consecutive day of work stoppage and sit-in activities. Students continued their complete shutdown on the same day.

Although the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam joined the university administration online, the campus-level deadlock continued. Reports said he was staying in Chattogram and conducting university activities from the circuit house. He also said relevant stakeholders were meeting him and that he planned to visit the campus soon.

Assistant Professor Samiun Basir said representatives of the CUET Teachers, Officers and Employees Associations held a cordial and productive discussion with relevant senior government authorities. The representatives formally presented the current situation at CUET and their demand to reinstate Professor Dr Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.

They also presented various arguments and practical considerations supporting the demand, Basir said.

According to him, the relevant government authorities listened to the issue with patience, sincerity and sufficient time and gave serious consideration to the representatives’ views. He expressed hope that the authorities would properly consider the issues raised and take a positive decision to restore normal academic operations and stability at CUET.

On Saturday, October 3, the movement entered its 12th day. Students held a protest march in response to recent comments by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam. They also called for government intervention to resolve the prolonged campus deadlock.

During the movement, students have organised human chains, torch processions, red-card protests, blindfolded marches, symbolic question marches, mass signature campaigns, photo exhibitions and protest concerts. On October 1, they organised a protest concert and photo exhibition in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence.

All academic activities, including classes and examinations, have remained suspended since September 22. The prolonged shutdown has raised concerns over the academic calendar and potential session delays. The work stoppage by teachers, officers and employees has also prevented the university’s administrative activities from returning to normal.

The protesters’ main demand is the reinstatement of Professor Dr Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem as CUET vice-chancellor. The university’s academic and administrative operations now await a government decision to resolve the dispute surrounding the appointment of Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam.

//DBTech/Ebadat Hossain/SMP/PCB//