The newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Md. Sajedul Karim, and Treasurer, Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain, of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) were administered an oath by coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. A video of the event has gone viral on social media, sparking controversy.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 20, the coordinators of the movement clarified that this was not an official oath-taking ceremony. Rather, it was an informal discussion with the new administration, and they expressed regret for the unforeseen situation that unfolded.
Palash Bakhtiar, the co-coordinator of the student movement, who led the oath-taking, stated, “Teachers are individuals we respect deeply. Our intention was never to disrespect them. We have apologized to the professors.”
The statement further elaborated that their words were intended to offer prayers for the souls of the martyrs of the July Revolution and to wish for the swift recovery of the injured. They also pledged to uphold the spirit and ideals of the July Revolution, striving to keep the campus free from partisan politics and making it student-friendly. As the first science and technology university in the country, SUST should aim to be a beacon of light for the nation and the world.
Palash Bakhtiar, President of Theatre SUST, added, “During the discussion with the newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer yesterday (Thursday), we made references to the July Revolution. As a result, we requested the professors to pledge to uphold the spirit of the revolution.”
He continued, “We have the utmost respect for our professors. It was never our intention to disrespect them. We sincerely apologize for this unintended mistake. I have personally apologized to the professors as well.”
In the video circulating on Facebook, it is seen that on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19, in the conference room of SUST, the newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer were administered an oath by Palash Bakhtiar, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Several other leaders of the movement were present during the event.
The oath included the following words: “We express our gratitude to the Almighty for liberating us from the grip of long-standing fascist rule through the student-people revolution. At this moment of assuming the roles of Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, we solemnly remember the martyrs of July 24 and pray for the forgiveness of their souls and the swift recovery of the injured.”
The oath further stated, “We pledge to uphold the principles and ideals of the great July Revolution. We vow to work diligently to elevate SUST to the highest position in education and research, following the guidance of the revolutionary government and embracing the spirit of the July Revolution. We are committed to creating a student-friendly campus, free from partisan student politics. Through our knowledge, research, and righteous actions, we will ensure that SUST, as the country’s first science and technology university, plays a pioneering role in guiding the nation and the world.”
Multiple students of SUST confirmed that during the event, Palash Bakhtiar, a student of the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering and President of Theatre SUST, administered the oath to the newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer in the presence of the university’s Acting Registrar Syed Salim Md. Abdul Qadir, anti-discrimination student leaders Asadullah Al Galib, Abu Saleh Md. Nasim, as well as representatives from the university’s United Cultural Alliance and several general students.
