Amid escalating student protests and administrative tension, the Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have submitted their resignations to the Ministry of Education.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Masud, Vice Chancellor of KUET, and Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, Pro-Vice Chancellor, tendered their resignation letters to the Ministry of Education on Thursday, April 24. According to ministry sources, the resignation process is currently under review.
The development comes in the wake of growing unrest on campus following the February 18 clash between students and opposing groups over demands to ban student politics. Over 100 individuals were injured in the incident, prompting students to lock down administrative and academic buildings in protest the next day.
In response, the KUET syndicate announced an immediate ban on all forms of political activity on campus. Later, on February 25, all residential halls were shut down indefinitely.
Tensions further escalated when, on April 14, 37 students were temporarily suspended by the syndicate, triggering a hunger strike by 32 students from the following Monday.
In a press release issued late Wednesday by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it was stated that the government had initiated the process of relieving the VC and Pro-VC from their duties to restore normalcy and resume academic activities. A search committee will soon be formed to appoint successors. Until then, a senior professor will be assigned as acting VC to ensure the continuity of operations.
KUET’s campus remains on edge as students demand the reinstatement of the suspended students and reopening of residential halls, vowing to continue protests until their demands are met.
LND/BG
