Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam has said he will resume his duties after recovering from illness, dismissing reports that he has resigned or agreed never to return to the campus.
Meanwhile, teachers and students have vowed to continue their respective protest programmes demanding the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
The vice-chancellor was rescued by Chattogram Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police at around 6:30pm on Tuesday after remaining confined to his office for nearly 30 hours amid student protests. He is currently receiving treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, he said.
“I have not made any statement or issued any declaration saying that I have resigned or will never set foot on the CUET campus again,” Shariful Alam said. He added that he had been in no condition to speak when he was taken away due to his illness and that he remained unwell under close medical observation.
“Once I recover, I will resume my responsibilities at the university, Insha’Allah,” he said.
The vice-chancellor also said he had come to Chattogram to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to him by the state, not to serve any personal interests, political agenda or vested interests. He stressed that ensuring the university’s institutional functions remained operational was a priority.
He urged students to return to their classrooms, warning that their valuable academic lives and the university’s educational activities should not be jeopardised by the influence of any vested-interest group.
On September 21, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam was appointed CUET vice-chancellor, replacing Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. Students began a “complete shutdown” programme on September 22 in protest against the appointment.
Teachers, officers and employees of the university have also been observing work abstentions in support of the demand for Sayem’s reinstatement. As a result, classes, examinations and most academic activities have remained suspended.
On Monday morning, amid the ongoing protests, Shariful Alam entered his office after breaking the lock with the help of Chhatra Dal leaders. At around 12:30pm, students locked the building’s gate again, leaving him inside. They also disconnected the water and electricity supplies.
He remained confined to the office until Tuesday evening, when officials from the district administration and police rescued him.
The CUET Teachers’ Association has announced that its work abstention and “all-out non-cooperation” programme will continue.
The association held a general meeting at the university’s central auditorium at noon on Wednesday.
Speaking after the meeting, Samiun Basir, joint secretary of the CUET Teachers’ Association, said teachers were concerned about the incident in which the vice-chancellor broke the lock and entered his office.
“There are important documents inside the building. It is necessary to investigate whether any documents have been stolen and determine the extent of any damage,” he said.
“We remain firm in our demand for the reinstatement of Professor Sayem as vice-chancellor. We will continue our work abstention and non-cooperation programme,” Basir added.
Students have also confirmed that their “complete shutdown” programme will continue until Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem is reinstated as vice-chancellor.
The ongoing protests have brought most academic activities at the university to a standstill. Meanwhile, with the Durga Puja holidays approaching, many students have begun leaving the campus to return home.