Barishal University teachers declare VC ‘unwanted’ on campus, call for ‘total shutdown’

A group of teachers at Barishal University (BU) has announced an indefinite "shutdown" of all academic and administrative activities, including classes and examinations, amid an intensifying standoff with the university administration.

The agitating teachers, under the banner of "Shikkhok Somaj", also declared Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Mohammad Taufiq Alam "persona non grata" on campus starting Monday.

The escalation follows a failed Syndicate meeting on Saturday, which teachers claim ignored their longstanding demands on promotions and university regulations.

The crisis deepened on Sunday as two senior teachers resigned from their administrative posts in protest.

Rahat Hossain Faisal, an associate professor of computer science and engineering, resigned from the post of proctor.

Mohammad Tanvir Kaysar, an associate professor of the Department of English, resigned from the syndicate.

"Working here yields no results. Everyone is frustrated with the vice-chancellor's actions," Faisal told reporters.

"He is depriving everyone of their rights. Despite repeated requests to address these issues, no action was taken, so I am stepping down."

The primary grievance involves a delay in the promotion process.

Teachers alleged that despite a requirement to convene an upgradation board within 45 days of a teacher becoming eligible for promotion, the administration failed to comply.

Though a board meeting for promoting associate professors to professors began in October 2025 after a long delay, the VC allegedly stalled the subsequent Syndicate meeting required for final approval.

Furthermore, no board meetings have been arranged for the promotion of assistant professors to associate professors, the teachers alleged.

Teachers claimed that during a tripartite meeting on Apr 30 involving the divisional commissioner and deans, the VC had promised to resolve all crises in accordance with university laws during the next Syndicate meeting.

Hafiz Ashraful Haque, an associate professor of the Department of Coastal Studies and Disaster Management, said the VC called an "emergency, agenda-less" Syndicate meeting at 11am Saturday with only a few hours' notice.

"In that meeting, instead of resolving the issues, the VC ignored the opinions of most Syndicate members and imposed his own decisions, pushing the university deeper into crisis," the teachers’ statement read.

VC Taufiq expressed confusion over the protest, claiming a collective decision had already been reached.

"In Saturday's meeting, it was unanimously decided that statutes for the university would be formulated within two months, after which they would receive their promotions," the VC said.

"I do not understand why this programme was announced after such a decision."