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Lock Broken at Administrative Building

New VC Enters CUET Amid Shutdown

Shutdown and work stoppage continue over the demand to reinstate the former vice-chancellor

Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam entered the administrative building after its lock was broken

Prolonged academic disruption is raising concerns over session delays

Campus Correspondent

Oct 12, 2026 09:52

Oct 12, 2026 11:06

Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has witnessed another development in its prolonged leadership crisis, as newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam entered the university’s administrative building amid an ongoing shutdown and work stoppage. At around 8:45 am on Monday, October 12, he entered the building after its lock was broken, triggering anger among students demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.

According to accounts provided by people present at the scene, several individuals were seen seating the vice-chancellor in a chair and taking photographs with their mobile phones after he entered the building.

Protesting students said they had refrained from guarding the university’s main gate that morning because they expected the new vice-chancellor to remain in Dhaka on October 11 and 12. They believe he entered the campus during that period.

No official statement from the university administration on the circumstances of the incident has yet to be received.

According to relevant sources, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) was scheduled to attend an important meeting organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in Dhaka on October 11 and 12. Consequently, it was announced that he would leave for Dhaka on the afternoon of October 10. In his absence, Professor Dr. Md. Arafat Rahman of the Mechanical Engineering Department was assigned the routine duties of the Vice-Chancellor for October 11 and 12. However, despite being reported to be in Dhaka according to the pre-announced itinerary, the Vice-Chancellor suddenly entered the CUET campus on Monday morning. At that time, eight to ten current and former students aligned with Chhatra Dal also entered the administrative building with him. They later met with the Vice-Chancellor.

Campus Remains Disrupted

The leadership dispute has disrupted academic and administrative activities at CUET for an extended period. Students have been enforcing a complete shutdown, while teachers have also been observing a work stoppage. Previous reports have highlighted the suspension of classes and examinations, along with growing concerns about delays to the academic calendar.

Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam joined the university online on September 24 but had not visited the campus amid the protests, according to a report published on October 6.

The protesters are demanding that Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem be reinstated as vice-chancellor. Students have organised demonstrations, sit-ins and symbolic protests, while also maintaining a presence at the main gate. The teachers’ association has separately observed a complete work stoppage in solidarity with the students’ demand.

Protests Continued on Sunday

On Sunday, October 11, teachers and students held a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s residence from around 10 am. Later, following a protest near Administrative Building 2, the Staff Association announced at a meeting that it would intensify its movement.

The prolonged disruption has raised concerns about academic losses and possible delays to students’ graduation timelines. Administrative activities have also remained affected, with no resolution to the dispute over the university’s leadership.

Following the new vice-chancellor’s entry into the campus, uncertainty remains over the next steps by the administration, teachers, students and staff. Reaching an understanding among the parties and restoring academic activities have become pressing priorities.

Incidentally, Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem was removed from the post of Vice-Chancellor just 56 days after taking office on September 21. On the same day, a notification was issued appointing Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam as the new Vice-Chancellor. In protest against this decision, students locked up the administrative building that very night. Since the following day, September 22, students have been enforcing an all-out shutdown, boycotting all classes and examinations. Concurrently, the university's teachers, officers, and employees have been staging work abstentions and sit-in programs demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. This has resulted in a complete deadlock in the university's academic and administrative activities.

//DBTech/CGH/SPM/MVNO//