Harassment by students: Kuet teachers issue 7-day ultimatum for justice

The Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Teachers' Association has issued a 7-day ultimatum with several demands, including justice for those involved in the harassment of university teachers.

The announcement was made by the association's general secretary, Prof Md Faruk Hossain, at a press briefing today following a general meeting of the Kuet Teachers' Association. He read out a written statement during the briefing.

Referring to the harassment of faculty members during campus unrest on 18 and 19 February, Prof Faruk called for all individuals involved in the incident to be identified and brought to justice within seven working days. 

Prof Faruk highlighted that during a visit on 23 April, the education adviser and a delegation from the University Grants Commission (UGC) displayed biased behaviour that left the faculty feeling ignored and humiliated. 

"The teachers strongly condemned this treatment," he added.

He also stressed the need for restoring a conducive academic environment for the teachers to resume classes. If these demands are not met, he warned, the faculty will suspend all administrative duties.

The teachers' association further demanded the harshest punishment for those involved in cyberbullying, defamation, and spreading rumours against the teachers. 

In solidarity with the five-point demand raised by the students, the teachers called for its immediate implementation. They urged the authorities to identify and take legal action against those spreading anti-Kuet propaganda on social media and put an end to these activities.

"If the proper environment is not ensured, the faculty will refrain from all administrative functions," Prof Faruk said.

Students' apology 

At around 3pm today, a student delegation formally submitted an apology to the teachers through the acting vice-chancellor. 

The students explained that they had detailed the 18 February incident to the vice-chancellor and presented their five-point demand. They expressed a strong desire to return to class soon and said they had submitted a written apology to the teachers. 

"Until our apology is accepted, we will continue our efforts," a student representative stated.

Earlier in the day, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hazrat Ali held a dialogue with students at the Kuet auditorium, from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Academic standstill

Kuet was declared closed on 25 February following clashes over a demand for a ban on student politics, which led to a standstill in academic activities. 

In response to student protests and a hunger strike, the government removed the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor on 25 April. On 1 May, Prof Md Hazrat Ali, professor of Civil Engineering Department at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet), was appointed as acting vice-chancellor.

Although classes were scheduled to resume on Sunday as per the university's Syndicate decision, faculty members have refrained from returning to academic duties, insisting they will not resume until justice is served for the assault on teachers.