Chittagong:The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, entered his office on Monday morning by breaking a padlock on the office gate amid an ongoing indefinite shutdown enforced by protesting students.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Vice-Chancellor arrived on campus around 945 am, sparking anger among students who have refused to accept him as the new VC. The students are demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Abu Shadat Muhammad Sayem, and have vowed to continue their shutdown until their demands are met. The protestors criticized Alam's actions, highlighting that he entered the campus early in the morning during the Durga Puja holidays when many students were asleep or away.
Afif Kabir, a third-year student of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, expressed the students' discontent, stating that the incident was disrespectful and that they would not welcome the new VC. Wasif Rashed, president of the CUET unit of Chhatra Dal, noted that his organization's leaders were not present with the VC when he entered the office, which he did accompanied by teachers and officials.
The protests began after Professor Abu Shadat Muhammad Sayem was removed from his position on September 21, after serving for just 56 days, and Sheikh Shariful Alam was appointed as his successor. Following Sayem's removal, students locked the administrative building and initiated an indefinite shutdown, boycotting classes and exams. The university's teachers, officers, and employees have also been striking in support of Sayem's reinstatement, leading to a complete halt of academic and administrative activities at CUET.