Desk Report,
Teachers’ association forms human chain demanding appointment of VC to resolve KUET impasse
A human chain has been formed to demand the appointment of a vice-chancellor to resolve the deadlock at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) and to quickly resume educational activities. Students and guardians were also present at the program organized under the banner of the Teachers’ Association at the foot of the university’s sculpture Durbar Bangla at around 11:30 am today, Wednesday.
Teachers’ association forms human chain demanding appointment of VC to resolve KUET impasse
The decision to hold this program was taken at the emergency general meeting of the KUET Teachers’ Association last Monday. In today’s human chain, the president of the Teachers’ Association, Shahidul Islam, said that the academic and administrative discipline of the university has collapsed due to the absence of a vice-chancellor for a long time. It is not possible to resolve the ongoing crisis and ensure a normal environment for education without restoring discipline. A vice-chancellor needs to be appointed immediately to restore a normal environment for education. This crisis cannot be overcome without the appointment of a vice-chancellor. Teachers’ Association General Secretary Faruk Hossain said that the university has been without a guardian for a long time. Quick action is needed. Students, teachers and guardians – all together are demanding the appointment of a vice-chancellor.
Professor Abdur Rafiq, Professor Mohiuddin Ahmad, Professor Rafiqul Islam, Professor Abdullah Ilias Akhter, Professor Muhammad Harunur Rashid, Professor MM Towhid Hossain, Professor Muhammad Shahjahan Ali, Professor Md. Roknuzzaman, Professor Abu Zakir Morshed, Professor Razia Khatun, Professor Salah Uddin Yusuf, Professor ABM Awlad Hossain, Professor Monir Hossain and others spoke at the human chain.
The teachers’ association informed that after the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, several unpleasant incidents have occurred among the students of KUET and the local people. The safety of the students and the discipline of the university are still at risk. In such a delicate situation, it is not possible for anyone to take full responsibility for the safety of the students in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor. According to the university’s rules, almost all activities of the academic calendar, especially almost all matters related to examinations, require the approval of the Academic Council. In special cases, the Vice-Chancellor gives permission subject to the approval of the Academic Council, which is currently not possible for anyone else.
The teacher leaders said that almost all cases, including postgraduate programs, thesis committee approval, convening viva boards, decisions on expired students, require the approval of the CASR (Council for Higher Studies and Research) and the Academic Council, which is led by the Vice-Chancellor. As a result, these activities are also at a standstill. The first-year undergraduate and postgraduate admission process for the July session of 2025 and the start of classes also require an Academic Council meeting, which is currently not possible. As some important administrative posts, including heads of departments, have become vacant, it is important to fill these vacancies before the start of classes. The university’s financial and development activities are also almost at a standstill.
On February 18, more than a hundred people were injured in clashes over the demand to ban student politics. Later, the government removed the Vice-Chancellor and the Associate Vice-Chancellor in the face of the movement. CUET Professor Hazrat Ali was appointed as the interim vice-chancellor on May 1, but he resigned on May 22 in the face of opposition from teachers. Although a notification was published on June 10 to appoint the vice-chancellor, the appointment process did not progress.
