Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology crisis takes new turn

BANGLADESH NEWS

The crisis of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has taken a new dimension since a group of Buet teachers, students and employees on Saturday termed teachers association's demands irrational.

Prof Dr Munhaz Ahmed Noor of civil engineering told that they urged the chancellor, President Zillur Rahman, to formulate a judicial commission to investigate allegations against the vice-chancellor.

"We do not want to consider a person guilty before conducting an inquiry into the incident. If the Buet VC and Pro-VC are found guilty, they should step down," Munhaz Ahmed told.

The VC could not sit with the agitating teachers despite the direction from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to solve the crisis through mutual discussion shortly.

the VC said, "I asked them to sit for a discussion with my people to find out a proper solution but I did not send them any formal proposal."

He said they will also hold discussion with the university chancellor soon to find out a good solution to the ongoing crisis.

In the meantime, a number of teachers, students and employees of the university gave a showdown on the campus in the afternoon under the banner of Buet Teachers, Students and Employees Forum.

At a press conference at the Buet cafeteria, they alleged that the Buet teachers' association motivated the students to join their protest informing them incorrectly.

He also said his forum members do not support suspending the academic activities in the name of agitation.

On the other hand, the agitating teachers, students and the employees carried out their demonstration as usually for the fourth day demanding the removal of the university VC Prof SM Nazrul Islam and his deputy Prof Habibur Rahman.

They brought out a silent procession in front of the Buet Council Building that paraded campus streets at around 11:00 am.

Later, they went to the capital's Central Shaheed Minar and stayed there for a while and came back to the campus.

A number of Buet employees also brought out a procession on the campus in the morning under the banner of Buet employees’ association.

The agitating students launched a website to draw attention of the former students of the institution living abroad and also launched a mass signature collection campaign to strengthen their protest.

But the many students of the Buet expressed their resentment over the agitation and counter-agitation of the teachers, students and the employees.