CUET crippled as ‘complete shutdown’ enters 18th day

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 10: The academic and administrative stalemate at Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has been continuing for the 18 consecutive days, with classes and examinations completely halted on Saturday.

The “complete shutdown” has been continuing to paralyze all academic and administrative operations of CUET, one of the highest seat of engineering of the country since September 21 last.  

Students and faculty members are protesting the government’s sudden decision to replace the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, who was removed just 56 days after taking office without any stated justification what the CUET staff and student alleged.

The government and the authorities concerned did not pay any heed to the persisiting stalemate of the institution during the last 18 days of complete shutdown.

The government appointed Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam (from KUET) as the new VC, though students have barred him from physically entering the campus and he has been operating remotely or from the Circuit House.

Meanwhile, Mechanical Engineering Department Professor Arafat Rahman was assigned routine interim VC duties for two days (October 11�"12) while current VC Prof. Alam stays in Dhaka.  Prof Arafat told the local journalists that he will carry out the administrative responsibilities assigned to him.  

Students launched a movement demanding Sayem’s reinstatement.  Teachers, officers and employees later joined the movement through work abstentions.

As a result, according to CUET sources, the shutdown has halted around 25 to 30 examinations across 18 specialised departments. Semester assessments and laboratory activities have also been suspended.  

The CUET Teachers’ Association and campus officials have officially joined the strike, expressing solidarity with the students and issuing statements refusing to accept the new appointment.  

Fahim a student of CUET told the Daily Observer, “We shall continue our programme till our demands are materialized.”