CUET WRE Students Resume Class Boycott, Locked Facilities

Students of the Water Resources Engineering (WRE) Department at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have resumed their boycott of all academic activities, including classes and exams, and have locked classrooms and laboratories in protest. Since September of last year, these students have been staging ongoing demonstrations over alleged discrimination in job opportunities and academic facilities. Dissatisfied with the lack of a satisfactory resolution, they have now announced a second boycott of academic activities.

The WRE Department, initially launched in 2015 under CUET’s Civil Engineering Faculty as the Civil and Water Resources Engineering (CWRE) Department, underwent a name and degree change in 2018 to become the Water Resources Engineering Department. This change has reportedly restricted students’ eligibility to apply for various government and private engineering jobs, sparking their grievances.

The students have put forward a single demand: the department’s name and degree must be promptly restored to Civil and Water Resources Engineering (CWRE), with the revised degree applied retroactively starting from the 2019 batch. Despite multiple discussions with the university administration and the formation of an investigation committee, no decision has been reached after nearly three months, prompting the renewed boycott.

Aminul Islam, a student from the 2019-20 session, stated, “The administration assured us in May that a resolution would be reached. We welcomed their impartial review process because we are confident in the legitimacy of our demands to address the crisis affecting our department and job prospects.” He expressed frustration over the administration’s inaction, adding, “Three months have passed without a decision. The committee included a distinguished BUET professor who visited CUET and completed his tasks, but abruptly resigned after returning to Dhaka. The reason remains a mystery.”

Hira Datta, a student from the 2020-21 session, echoed these sentiments: “We have sought a logical solution from the beginning and provided the administration with all necessary data. However, their repeated delays have disappointed us, putting our future at risk. We previously suspended a boycott after administrative assurances but resumed classes. Now, with no progress, all batches have decided to halt academic activities until a fair resolution is achieved. We want a solution as quickly as possible.”

Professor Dr. Sudeep Kumar Pal, Dean of CUET’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, addressed the issue: “The matter has been referred to the Academic Council, and a review committee has been formed. The committee is consulting stakeholders and analyzing the students’ data. After thorough evaluation, they will submit a report. An external member is involved, and their availability is a factor.” He emphasized the need to give the committee time, adding, “We have repeatedly tried to convince the students. We held discussions with them yesterday, urging them to continue academic activities. If they refuse, we cannot force them to attend classes.”

Regarding the external member’s resignation, Dr. Pal clarified, “The external member, a BUET professor, resigned for personal reasons, as we understand. His experience was valuable, and his departure has delayed the report, according to the remaining committee members.”

The students’ protest underscores ongoing tensions over departmental identity and career opportunities, with no immediate resolution in sight.