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Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam entered the university’s administrative building after breaking its lock on Monday morning, amid an ongoing shutdown and work abstention.
He entered Administrative Building-2 around 8:45am, 21 days after his appointment. After entering the building, he was seated on a chair, while several people were seen taking photos with him on their mobile phones.
The university administration had not issued any immediate official statement on the incident.
A movement has been underway at CUET for 20 days, with students demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. An all-out shutdown by students, alongside work abstention by teachers, officers and employees, has disrupted academic and administrative activities.
On September 21, Sayem was removed from the VC post and Sheikh Shariful Alam was appointed in his place. The decision to replace the vice-chancellor just 56 days after his appointment prompted students to lock the administrative building that night. They launched an all-out shutdown the following day, September 22.
The new VC joined the university online on September 24 but had not visited the campus because of the protests.
On October 10, Professor Dr Arafat Rahman was assigned the routine duties of the vice-chancellor.
Teachers and students continued their sit-in outside the VC’s office on Sunday. The same day, the Staff Association announced plans to intensify its movement after staging a protest in front of Administrative Building-2.
The protesters’ main demand is the reinstatement of Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.