UGC Committee Hears CUET Teachers and Students as They Demand Reinstatement of Former VC

A six-member advisory committee of the University Grants Commission (UGC) held discussions with teachers, students and staff of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) on Wednesday (October 28) to help resolve the ongoing stalemate at the university. During the meetings, teachers and students called for the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadaat Muhammad Sayem.

The committee members said they would advise the government on improving the situation based on discussions with the university community. The day's activities began with a meeting with teachers at around 10:30am at the university's central auditorium. The committee then met with students at around noon.

The committee was also scheduled to meet university officers and employees in the afternoon. The advisory committee is led by UGC member Professor Abdullah Al Mamun. Its member-secretary is Mohammad Mohibul Ahsan, an additional director at the UGC.

Other members include the vice-chancellors of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), University of Chittagong and Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), as well as Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Patoary, additional secretary of the University Wing of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education.

Professor Rashidul Hasan, dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, said teachers had presented their positions and explained the background to their movement during the meeting.

“The teachers' views on the ongoing situation were presented to the committee. Written documents were submitted, and their positions were also explained verbally,” he said.

Professor Rashidul Hasan added that the committee had heard the teachers' concerns and that they hoped the issues raised during the discussions would be communicated to the government's senior leadership, the Ministry of Education and the relevant departments.  They expect the discussions to lead to an acceptable decision soon to resolve the stalemate, he said.

Students also demanded the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadaat Muhammad Sayem. Ghulam Murshed Ratul, a student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said they had remained firm on the demand from the beginning.

“They have remained firm on the demand for Professor Sayem's reinstatement from the very beginning. Teachers, officers and employees are also protesting with the same demand. The committee was informed of their position during today's meeting,” he said.

After the discussions, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, UGC member and head of the advisory committee, said the committee had been formed to review the ongoing situation at CUET and explore possible solutions.

“On the first day, they spoke with teachers and students,” he said. He added that the committee would also hear the views of university officers and employees and seek to make recommendations based on discussions with all sides to improve the current situation at the university.