BUET unrest
Teachers-students submit memo to President
University Correspondent
banglanews24.com
DHAKA: A four-member team of demonstrating teachers and students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) submitted memorandum to its Chancellor also President Zillur Rahman on Sunday over ongoing deadlock in the University.
Treasurer of Teachers’ association professor Motiur Rahman told banglanews, “President Zillur Rahman’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad received the memorandum on behalf of the president.”
Earlier, they proceeded to Bangabhaban at 12 noon under the banner of BUET teachers-students-employees alumni association.
But, police obstructed them from moving further. Later, only four members of the association were allowed to enter Bangabhaban.
The teachers under the banner of teachers’ association on Friday announced to bring out silent procession and arrange a mass-signature programme.
The announcement came from a meeting of the association on Friday night.
Emerging from the meeting, treasurer of teachers’ association professor Ataur Rahman said, “The procession was scheduled to be brought out at about 11:00am Saturday on the campus.”
Meanwhile, he informed journalists about some decisions of the association during the press meet.
The decision includes continuing the ongoing movement, starting the mass-signature campaign from Friday night and not holding talks with the VC and pro-VC.
They also sought the intervention of the President and Prime Minister in this regard.
Earlier on Friday, the teachers wanted to talks with the Chancellor also President Zillur Rahman or the Prime Minister over ongoing deadlock of the campus.
On Thursday, VC Nazrul Islam met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After emerging from a meeting with the prime minister, he said the premier asked him and Syndicate members of BUET to continue talks with agitating teachers to settle the crisis.
On Wednesday, some 23 teachers of the university resigned demanding resignation of its VC and Pro-VC.
Of them five are Dean, three directors and 15 departmental head.
On Monday, the BUET Teachers’ Association gave an ultimatum of observing work abstention for an indefinite period demanding resignation of Vice Chancellor Prof Nazrul Islam and Pro-VC Prof Habibur Rahman by July 14.
According to the press release, the university will remain closed from July 11 to August 24 on account of summer vacation, Ramadan, Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr.
No classes and examinations will be held at the university during this period but the administrative activities will continue as usual.
Sources said BUET was scheduled to be closed on August 11 for the Eid vacation. But the authorities closed the varsity early to keep the environment cool.
Regarding the matter, Prof Nazrul Islam said, “A group of students on Monday joined the teacher’s demonstration while another group protested it. We decided to close the university in order to avoid possible unrest among students.”
The agitating teachers claimed that the authority closed the university in order to hinder their demonstration.
The teachers association has been agitating for removal of the VC and Pro-VC for alleged involvement in irregularities from a long period.
BDST: 1430 HRS, JUL 15, 2012
Edited by: Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor