Govt bid to resolve CUET crisis after 28 days

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 19: The government has taken a step to resolve the persisiting stalemate at Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUE) as the crisis has continued for 28 days. In this step, the Ministry of Education has asked the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) to recommend the formation of a high-powered, neutral investigation or advisory committee to resolve the ongoing crisis at CUET.

In a letter sent on Sunday, the Secondary and Higher Education Division asked the UGC chairman to submit recommendations urgently on forming a committee at the UGC member level to help resolve the stalemate and resume classroom activities.

The move follows a decision taken at CUET’s 145th emergency syndicate meeting held on Friday virtually to recommend forming a high-powered investigation or advisory committee.
Only six of the syndicate’s 15 members attended the virtual meeting.  Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam joined from Chattogram Circuit House, while no teacher representatives attended.

The syndicate also decided to arrange a joint discussion involving local public representatives and representatives of students, teachers, officers and employees to restore a normal academic environment.

It expressed concern over disruptions to students’ academic career and the risk of session delays, urging all concerned to resume regular classroom activities.

The stalemate began on 21 September, when the Ministry of Education removed the then vice-chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem and appointed Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology. Sayem was removed just 56 days after taking office.

Demanding Sayem’s reinstatement, students launched a shutdown on 22 September and locked the administrative building.

Some teachers, officers and employees later joined a work abstention and non-cooperation movement, halting classes, examinations and administrative activities.

As a result, final examinations in six departments have been postponed, leaving students uncertain about new schedules.