Most CUET Departments Unsure About Wednesday Classes

The deadlock at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), triggered by demands for the reinstatement of the vice-chancellor, has entered its 36th day. Although protesting students announced in a statement on Sunday night that they would return to academic activities from Wednesday, most departments remain uncertain about when classes will resume.

Interviews with the heads of 11 of CUET's 12 undergraduate departments revealed differing positions on reopening classes on Wednesday. Repeated attempts to contact the head of the remaining department were unsuccessful.

Earlier on Sunday, a general meeting of the university's Teachers' Association was held at the central auditorium at noon. The meeting decided to call on students to return to classes. After the meeting, Samium Basir, joint secretary of the association, said individual departments would determine their own class resumption dates.

Professor Dr Pranab Kumar Dhar, head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said he had not yet received any formal application from students. The department would consider the matter and decide when to resume classes if students submitted applications through their course coordinators.

Professor Dr Tofail Ahmed, head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said the department was fully prepared to hold classes. “Fourth-year students have expressed interest in starting classes tomorrow. Students from other years have contacted us about starting classes on Sunday,” he said.

Professor Dr Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Bhuiyan, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said the department had planned to resume classes on Wednesday after consulting students.

“Many students are staying far away, so they need time to return. I told them to come on Tuesday, as we want to start classes on Wednesday. Although one or two students remain somewhat hesitant, most have said they will attend classes from Wednesday. We are already behind schedule, so we want to resume classes as soon as possible,” he said.

Professor Dr Md Riaz Akhtar Mallick, head of the Department of Civil Engineering, said students had been invited to attend classes. Classes would be held if they showed up. Students from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic sessions had informed the department by email that they wanted classes to begin on November 1. No decision had yet been communicated by the other batches.

Professor Dr Md Zahedul Islam, head of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, said he had been on leave for the past two days and could not provide a definite update. Students had informed him that they planned to resume classes on Sunday. However, the department was prepared to start classes as early as the following day if students attended.

Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, head of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, said the department was ready to resume classes.

Professor Dr Nipu Kumar Dash, head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, said fourth-year students would begin classes on Wednesday. Third-year students wanted to sit for their examinations next week, while students from other years planned to resume classes on Sunday. He added that the department was adequately prepared to conduct classes and examinations.

Professor Dr Prosenjit Dash, head of the Department of Mechatronics and Industrial Engineering, said a group from the 2022 batch had applied to resume classes on Wednesday. First-year students from the 2025 batch, meanwhile, had said they would return on Sunday. Examinations for the 2021 batch had also been underway.

Professor Dr Md Mamunur Rashid, head of the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, said fourth-year students had examinations scheduled. Students from other batches had submitted applications stating that they wanted classes to resume on Sunday.

Professor Dr Fouzia Gulshana Rashid Lopa, head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, confirmed that classes for all years would begin on Wednesday.

Professor Dr Sajal Chowdhury, head of the Department of Architecture, said he was on leave and that his department would follow the university's decision. He had not received any confirmation about classes starting on Wednesday but said the department would resume activities if all other departments did so.

Repeated attempts to contact Professor Dr Mosammat Farzana Rahman Juthi, head of the Department of Water Resources Engineering, by phone were unsuccessful.

The differing timelines indicate that, despite students' announcement of a return to academic activities, a university-wide resumption of classes on Wednesday has yet to be confirmed.

//DBTech/Rakib Hassan/SME/MVNO//