DUET VC Finally Returns to Office Amid Campus Shutdown

Breaking through days of academic deadlock and a student-enforced "complete shutdown," the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, has officially entered his office to assume operational duties. The Vice-Chancellor arrived at a deserted campus today, Thursday, where he was formally welcomed with a floral reception by representatives of the DUET Teachers' Association.

Campus gridlock and student demonstrations

The university has been mired in extreme instability following intense anti-VC demonstrations launched by the student body on May 14. As part of their protest matrix, students declared a complete shutdown of the campus, effectively paralyzing daily administrative routines.

Despite the volatile atmosphere, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor arrived at the campus early Thursday morning and proceeded directly to his executive suite. Shortly afterward, executive members of the Teachers' Association gathered at his office to extend their institutional greetings and pledge cooperation.

Escalation to a complete shutdown

The background of the current administrative crisis traces back to earlier this month. While formal academic classes and term-final examinations had already wrapped up, university offices were legally scheduled to remain operational until May 22.

However, the political climate on campus deteriorated significantly on May 17, when demonstrations erupted into violent clashes. In a sharp escalation, protesting students announced a "complete shutdown" on May 19, sealing off entry points and calling for an absolute boycott of institutional functions.

Mass exodus leaves campus deserted

Following the declaration of the complete shutdown on Tuesday evening, a mass exodus of students was triggered. Fearing further security degradation and prolonged instability, the vast majority of residential students vacated their dormitories and left the campus perimeter overnight.

By Wednesday (May 20), student presence on the DUET campus had dropped to zero. Though the campus remains entirely devoid of students, the successful entry of Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal into the administrative headquarters marks a critical attempt by the university management to restore bureaucratic governance amidst ongoing tensions.