Barishal University comes to a standstill as teachers begin complete shutdown
The teachers had earlier observed a work stoppage yesterday, and the ongoing shutdown has disrupted all academic activities, raising fears of a severe session jam among students.
Barishal University has come to a standstill as teachers began a complete shutdown programme from this morning (22 April), demanding the implementation of the recent directive of the University Grants Commission related to teaching, examinations and awarding degrees.
The teachers had earlier observed a work stoppage yesterday, and the ongoing shutdown has disrupted all academic activities, raising fears of a severe session jam among students.
Earlier on Sunday (19 April) evening, Associate Professor Md Jamal Uddin, head of the Soil and Environmental Science department, began a hunger strike in front of the vice-chancellor's office demanding promotion.
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After around 23 hours, he fell ill on Monday afternoon and was taken to hospital, later breaking his fast due to deteriorating health.
Following this, teachers announced the work stoppage and shutdown programme in a statement signed by 102 faculty members.
Associate Professor Dr Hafiz Ashraful Haque of the Coastal Studies and Disaster Management department said it is not possible for others to carry out duties normally when a colleague is on hunger strike, adding that the movement will continue until the crisis is resolved.
He said admission, examinations, degree awarding and promotions had been conducted with approval from the academic council and syndicate, but recent directives from the University Grants Commission (UGC) have created uncertainty.
According to the UGC directive, universities must revise relevant statutes on employment, pension and promotion under the university act and obtain approval from the vice-chancellor and syndicate before implementing promotions.
A Barishal University student Shamim Hossain said the ongoing complication over teacher promotions is causing suffering for general students, with scheduled semester final exams not being held and no clarity on when the situation will improve.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Taufiq Alam said a selection board has been formed under the university's own policy to process promotions.
He added that the government-declared uniform policy must be followed and promotions will be awarded after evaluation by the board, noting that a meeting has been held with the UGC and the issue is expected to be resolved once the resolution is received.
