Govt forms committee amid BSc, diploma engineers’ protests

The Cabinet Division has formed a committee to examine and make recommendations on the professional demands of BSc and diploma engineers, amid protests by both groups over competing demands.

The Cabinet Division issued a circular today (27 August) announcing the formation of an eight-member committee, including four advisers, with Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan being the chair.

BSc engineers from Buet and other universities have launched protests with three demands, including barring diploma engineers from using the title of "engineer" before their names. They blockaded the Shahbagh intersection for the second day today to press home their demands.

On the other hand, diploma engineers are staging demonstrations with seven demands, including not allowing BSc engineers to be appointed to sub-assistant engineer posts.

In an immediate reaction, committee chief Fouzul told TBS, "To address the grievances of students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and other engineering universities, this committee will soon meet with the representatives of protesters to hear their demands."

The protesters are making demands that run counter to the existing system, he said, adding that after listening to their position, the authorities will do whatever is justified and logical.

When asked how the committee will address the protesters' demands, the adviser said, "To reach a proper solution, we will examine the status and recognition of diploma engineers in neighbouring countries.

The circular states that the government has formed the committee to examine the justification of the professional demands of BSc degree-holding and diploma engineers and to prepare recommendations accordingly.

The committee has been tasked with submitting its report with recommendations to the government within one month and may include new members if necessary.

Other members of the panel include Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Education Adviser Prof Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar; Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan; Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) President Engr Mohammad Rezaul Islam; Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) President Engr Md Kabir Hossain; and Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Education (BAETE) Chairman Prof Dr Engr Tanvir Manzur.

Kazi Mohammad Mozammel Hoque, additional secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration, will serve as the member-secretary.

Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing said in a statement that the Ministry of Public Administration will provide secretarial support to the committee.