DUET campus shut for 7th day as students demand new VC appointment

The ongoing protest at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) highlights a significant internal conflict within the institution. For seven days, students have maintained a "complete shutdown," demonstrating their strong resolve to have their voices heard regarding the appointment of the new vice-chancellor. This prolonged action has effectively brought the university to a standstill, impacting general student life and academic progress.

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The shutdown remained in force and many general students had already left the campus.

The core of the students' demand is the cancellation of the current vice-chancellor's appointment and the selection of a leader from within DUET's own faculty. This suggests a deep-seated concern about institutional autonomy and the perceived appropriateness of external appointments. The students' determination, evident in their continued blockade of the main gate and the lengths some go to by climbing boundary walls, underscores the seriousness with which they view this issue.

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The gate has been locked by the students. No one is being allowed to enter the campus.

While the situation has led to a paralysis of academic and administrative functions, the authorities are reportedly seeking dialogue. The vice-chancellor, despite being unable to access the campus, claims to be continuing official duties and has ordered payments and treatment for injured students. However, the students remain steadfast, indicating that a resolution is far from imminent. The Daily Star's reporting focuses on the ground reality, capturing the frustration of students like Imran Hossain, who traveled to visit the campus only to be denied entry, and the security guard's account of the locked gates, painting a vivid picture of the disruption.

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I study at Rangpur Polytechnic Institute. I want to get admitted to DUET, so I came to visit the campus, but I could not enter.

This situation is particularly resonant within Bangladesh's higher education sector, where student activism often plays a crucial role in institutional governance and policy. The demand for an internally appointed vice-chancellor reflects a broader sentiment in many Bangladeshi universities about preserving academic integrity and fostering a sense of ownership among the faculty and student body. International coverage might focus on the disruption, but from a local perspective, it's about the fundamental right of students and faculty to have a say in leadership that directly impacts their academic future.

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The protesters are demanding cancellation of the newly appointed vice-chancellor’s appointment and the selection of a vice-chancellor from among DUET’s own faculty members.