CUET Under Complete Shutdown Pending VC Reinstatement
Students and teachers at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have enforced a complete campus shutdown, halting all academic and administrative activities for three consecutive days. The agitation was triggered by the Ministry of Education’s September 21 notification relieving Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem of his duties after only 56 days in office. Unrest escalated across the campus as students locked the main entrance gate to block the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Shaikh Shariful Alam, from entering the university.
Protest activities intensified as thousands of students organized human chains, mass sit-ins, signature drives, and an evening torch rally to demand Dr. Sayem’s immediate reinstatement. Student representatives Mr. Amimul Ehsan, Ms. Sadia Akhtar, and Mr. Zulqarnain Mihad read written statements during a press conference at noon, clarifying that their protest is directed solely against the sudden, unexplained replacement rather than the newly appointed individual. Protesters claimed that around 5,000 students, including residents across various halls, have actively joined the ongoing movement since the Ministry’s abrupt decision was announced.
The student movement has garnered widespread backing from international alumni platforms across the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Malaysia. However, protesting students expressed strong objections to a neutral statement issued by the Dhaka-based ‘CUET Alumni Association,’ alleging it failed to explicitly support their demands and was published without consulting general alumni members. To press their single-point demand further, student delegates submitted formal memorandums to Water Resources Minister Mo. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Divisional Commissioner.
Faculty and administrative staff have aligned with the demonstration, demanding an immediate reversal of the Ministry’s directive. During a joint press conference held by the Teachers’ Association and the Officers-Staff Association at 3:00 PM, speakers praised Dr. Sayem’s dynamic leadership and widespread acceptance during his brief tenure. Teachers emphasized that resolving the leadership crisis swiftly is critical to safeguard the momentum of academic, administrative, and development functions at CUET, announcing plans to submit a formal memorandum directly to the Education Minister.
The faculty announced a work abstention program scheduled for next Sunday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, warning of stricter measures if the government fails to reinstate the former Vice-Chancellor promptly. Responding to reporters regarding the new administration, CUET Teachers’ Association President Professor Dr. Mohammad Ahsanullah stated, ‘We do not want the new VC at the university.’ Faculty leaders reiterated that the sudden official shift disregards the overall stability and collective preference of the entire university community.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shaikh Shariful Alam claimed that he officially assumed his position remotely despite the total physical blockade at the university gates. He told reporters that he submitted his joining letter online to the Education Secretary in the afternoon and expressed his intention to visit the CUET campus in the near future. However, protesting students and faculty reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the shutdown until the government officially cancels the new appointment.
The total shutdown program remains active across the entire campus as both students and university staff pledge to continue their agitation until Professor Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem is reinstated. Protesters confirmed that an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister has already been dispatched to highlight their central demand. Campus operations remain entirely paralyzed as the student-led leadership insists that no official activities will resume until the government officially revokes its September 21 notification.
