Published : 27 Sep 2026, 04:00 PM
Updated : 27 Sep 2026, 04:00 PM
Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has remained shut for a sixth day as students continue demanding the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor Prof Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
Students began a shutdown at 10am on Sunday, closing the main campus gate, while teachers also began a full work stoppage from the same day.
Protesting students later held a symbolic march on campus carrying cards marked “56?” before gathering at the Shaheed Minar.
The cards refer to Sayem's removal 56 days after he took charge on Jul 27, with the government notification citing no reason for the decision.
“We want our demand accepted. We want to return to classes as soon as possible,” a student said, adding that the prolonged shutdown was already creating session delays.
Another student said protesters had received no positive response from the government and would continue the movement if necessary.
Students are scheduled to hold a street play on campus later in the day, focusing on Prof Sayem’s work during his 56-day tenure.
The protests began on Sept 21 after a notification appointed Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam as the new VC.
On Friday, students rejected Prof Shariful’s appointment and marched on campus before guarding the main gate to prevent his entry.
Students staged a "red card" display against the new vice-chancellor on Saturday afternoon, following a protest graffiti campaign that morning demanding the former VC's reinstatement.
Prof Shariful, previously of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), joined the post online on Thursday afternoon.
That evening, a torch procession on campus drew thousands of students, hours after the Teachers' Association president told a press conference they did not want the new VC at CUET.
The shutdown, which began on Tuesday with the main gate locked, has left CUET without classes or exams for six straight days.
