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The newly appointed vice-chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, joined the university online on Thursday amid a three-day shutdown by students, teachers and employees protesting his appointment.
Professor Alam said he joined at around 4pm after completing the formalities through the education ministry.
He said the relevant authorities, including the district administration, had been informed of his joining.
“I will go to the campus very soon. Before that, I will discuss the issues with all sides and try to resolve them,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of CUET students took part in a torchlight procession on Thursday evening, demanding the reinstatement of Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as vice-chancellor.
The students began their protest after the government appointed Professor Alam as the new VC on September 21, replacing Professor Sayem, who had assumed the post only on July 27.
The protesters announced a shutdown from Tuesday, locking the main gate and boycotting classes and examinations.
As a result, academic and administrative activities have remained suspended for three days.
CUET Teachers’ Association also expressed solidarity with the students’ movement. At a press conference on Thursday, its leaders said they did not want the newly appointed VC at CUET and demanded Professor Sayem’s reinstatement.
University officials and employees also backed the demand.
The protesters questioned the decision to replace Professor Sayem only 56 days after his appointment.
The government order announcing the change did not state a reason for his removal, according to local reports.
Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam is a professor of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET).
Under the appointment order, his tenure is four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes earlier.
The ongoing shutdown has also led to the postponement of examinations in several departments, while classes, laboratory activities and administrative work remain suspended.
