BSc vs diploma engineers: Why the conflict, and what they demand
The conflict between BSc degree-holding and diploma-holding engineers is not new.
A dramatic situation unfolded in the capital on 27 August, centring on a long march towards the residence of the Chief Adviser, organised by students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and several other engineering universities.
To stop the students, law enforcement agencies used sound grenades, tear gas shells, and water cannons. Many students were injured during the clashes, and several members of the security forces were also hurt while trying to restrain the protesters. All roads leading to the Chief Adviser's residence were closed for several hours, and police also restricted access to the road in front of the Secretariat, the administrative heart of the government.
As a result, severe traffic congestion gripped the city, forcing residents to endure sweltering heat while stuck on the roads.
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Meanwhile, the movement has spread to other cities, including Chattogram.
In response to the student movement, the government has formed an eight-member committee, headed by Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, to examine the legitimacy of the professional demands of both BSc degree holders and diploma engineers in the engineering sector and to make recommendations accordingly.
However, students from Buet and other engineering universities have rejected the committee. Instead, they went on a "complete shutdown" programme across all engineering universities in the country to press home their three-point demand.
The conflict between BSc degree-holding and diploma-holding engineers is not new. Since the change in government last year, BSc engineers have repeatedly raised these demands under the banner of the "Engineers' Rights Movement." They have previously submitted memorandums to the chief adviser and heads of various government departments.
Students allege that no party has shown any willingness to engage in dialogue with them on the issue.
But the situation took a new turn on 25 August when several diploma engineers allegedly harassed Rokonuzzaman, an assistant engineer at Nesco (Northern Electricity Supply Company) in Rangpur and a former student of Buet's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. It is alleged that the diploma engineers even threatened to kill him.
In protest against the incident, and to press home their demands, Buet students began a sit-in demonstration at Shahbagh in the capital.
Several Buet students participating in the movement said many of them remain unemployed after graduation, as they are not eligible to apply for the position of sub-assistant engineer.
Besides, for the positions they are eligible to apply for, recruitment is either insufficient or not taking place at all.
What are the demands of engineering university students?
The demands of Buet and other engineering university students are as follows:
1. Entry into the 9th-grade engineering posts [assistant engineer or equivalent] must be based on a competitive recruitment exam open to all, with a minimum requirement of a BSc engineering degree. No promotions should be allowed through quota systems, nor should equivalent positions be created under different titles to facilitate such promotions.
2. Recruitment exams for technical 10th-grade posts (Sub-Assistant Engineer or equivalent) must be open to both diploma and BSc degree holders.
3. Proper legal action must be taken against those using the title "engineer" without a BSc degree in engineering. Additionally, all non-accredited BSc engineering programs must go through the proper process to receive accreditation from IEB (Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh) and BAETE (Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education).
They also demanded that diploma holders cannot be called engineers. The "engineer" title must be reserved exclusively for BSc engineers.
What are the demands of diploma engineers?
On 27 August, student-teacher professionals from the diploma engineering community submitted a memorandum to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, outlining their seven-point demand.
Just a week earlier, on 20 August, the same group had formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club to press home the same demands.
The 7-point demands of diploma engineers are as follows:
1. Reservation of sub-assistant engineer or equivalent posts specifically for diploma engineers.
2. Promotion rate from sub-assistant engineer or equivalent to assistant engineer to be increased to 50%, in accordance with the government notification of 1978.
3. Division of engineering workplaces into field engineering and desk engineering, with diploma engineers appointed to field engineering and BSc engineers to desk engineering
4. Prevention of engineers changing professions to avoid wastage of national talent
5. Formulation of staffing structures for all engineering organisations based on the international engineering team concept, maintaining a 1:5 ratio
6. Modernisation of the diploma engineering curriculum into an English version, and addressing the shortage of teachers in all polytechnic and monotechnic institutes and TSCs by considering a teacher-student ratio of 1:12
7. Increasing the number of scholarships for polytechnic students and creating opportunities for diploma engineering certificate holders to pursue higher education through credit transfer in all engineering and technology universities and engineering colleges
Where does the problem lie?
Discussions with representatives from both sides reveal that the conflict between the two groups of engineers stemmed from differences in educational qualifications, job opportunities, and chances for promotion after employment.
Students from Buet and other engineering universities say that they are admitted to engineering universities through competitive exams after completing higher secondary education in the Science stream. After six years of study, they graduate with a BSc engineering degree. Their curriculum and teaching methods meet international engineering standards.
Therefore, they do not want anyone who has completed a four-year diploma to claim to be an engineer like them. They also demand that recruitment to the 10th-grade government post of sub-assistant engineer be opened to both diploma and BSc engineers.
Additionally, they want the government quota reserved for diploma engineers in promotions from the 10th grade to be abolished, and promotions to be granted solely through competitive exams.
On the other hand, diploma engineers argue that the term "diploma engineer" is used by the state and not created by them. The government decides who can study diploma engineering after completing certain levels of education. These rules and curricula are designed by the government to promote technical education in the country, and qualifications for job recruitment are also determined by the government. They see no objection to students from different curricula pursuing their respective paths.
Diploma engineers state that through a government notification in 1978, the post of "sub-assistant engineer or equivalent" was reserved for diploma engineers, along with a 33% quota for promotion from sub-assistant engineer to assistant engineer. Later, in 1994, the sub-assistant engineer post reserved for diploma engineers was upgraded to the 10th grade, granting it second-class status.
Who are BSc engineers?
In Bangladesh, there are five state-level engineering universities dedicated to higher engineering education— Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (Ruet), Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (Cuet), Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet), and Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (Duet). The institutions specialise in teaching and research in engineering and technology.
Apart from these, there are several private engineering universities in the country, such as American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Ahsania Mission University of Science and Technology, among others. Additionally, several private universities have faculties of engineering. Students say around 25 universities have such faculties.
In these universities, students who have completed higher secondary education in the Science stream are admitted through competitive exams. They undergo six years of study and earn engineering degrees equivalent to honours and master's levels.
Who are diploma engineers?
Diploma engineers are those who have obtained a diploma in engineering from recognised polytechnic institutes or technical education institutions. This programme is primarily a four-year technical course that combines theoretical and practical knowledge to build a solid technical foundation for students. In Bangladesh, this course is offered at polytechnic institutes under the Technical Education Board. Students can enroll in the programme after passing the SSC or equivalent secondary examinations in any stream.
After completing a diploma in engineering, they can also gain admission to BSc engineering programs at various universities, although such universities are limited in number within the country. Some private universities do offer admission opportunities to diploma engineering graduates.
