CUET Students Return to Classes

Students protesting at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) are set to return to classes on Tuesday, 3 November, following a one-day shutdown. Although academic activities have partially resumed, the university’s administrative building remains locked. Meanwhile, Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Kawsar, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, has declined an assignment to take on the vice-chancellor’s routine responsibilities during the latter’s absence.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam informed Professor Abu Kawsar of the assignment through an email on Tuesday. The vice-chancellor said he would be in Dhaka for official work and had assigned the dean to handle routine responsibilities in his absence.

Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam said, “I will be in Dhaka for official work. In this situation, during my absence, Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Kawsar, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, will perform the routine duties.”

However, Professor Abu Kawsar rejected the assignment and expressed dissatisfaction over the decision. He said, “I was not consulted before being assigned this responsibility. Does the fact that he (the vice-chancellor) simply wrote an email on his own mean that I have to perform these duties? I strongly protested and rejected the decision over the phone. I told him that if necessary, he could remove me from the position of dean. I am not involved in these matters.”

Earlier, on Sunday afternoon, the vice-chancellor had assigned Professor Dr Kazi Delwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to perform the routine duties for one day. In that email, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam said he would be in Dhaka on 2 November to attend an official meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Professor Hossain was assigned to maintain the university’s regular operations during his absence.

The assignment took effect on the afternoon of 1 November and was scheduled to remain in place until the vice-chancellor returned to his workplace and resumed his responsibilities on the evening of 2 November. However, as the vice-chancellor did not return at the scheduled time, he subsequently assigned Professor Abu Kawsar to the role.

Meanwhile, students had boycotted classes and examinations from 22 September to 27 October, demanding the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. On 28 October, they announced a partial resumption of classes while continuing their movement.

After three days of normal academic activities, the protesting students again boycotted classes and examinations on Monday. Following a one-day shutdown, they have decided to return to classes from Tuesday.

//DBTech/CRH/SME/MVNO//