Teachers of Bangladesh Universityof Engineering and Technology (BUET), who have been on strike for the 22ndconsecutive days, have vowed to continue their strike demanding resignation ofthe vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor.
BUET Teachers’ Associationpresident Md Mujibur Rahman on Monday told The New Nation that despite all oddsthey would continue their protests until the resignation of VC SM Nazrul Islamand pro-VC M Habibur Rahman.
He hoped that the authoritieswould meet their demands soon so that the students do not suffer. ” Thereputation of this educational institution is at stake because ofirregularities in the administration,” he added.
“No classes and academic activities are being held since lastTuesday. Though semester is now scheduled to begin, it can not be start becauseof the teachers’ strike,” said the teachers’ association president.
Meanwhile, the VC at a pressconference in the auditorium of BUET Council Bhaban has urged the teachers tocall off their strike and return to work to ensure a congenial academicatmosphere on the campus.
When asked about his resignationfrom the VC post, he said that he had no fault. Why he would resign from thepost?
“We will solve the ongoing strike by discussing with theteachers. I hope the problem will be solved,” he said and claimed that theallegations of irregularities made against him were totally ‘baseless’. Theteachers’ association president claimed that they would be able to cover thesyllabus of the semester by taking extra classes and urged the students toexpress their solidarity with the movement in the interest of the reputation ofthis educational institution.
Sources said the strikingteachers called on Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at his office onThursday. The minister assured them that he would place their demands to theprime minister and the chancellor.
The striking teachers alsodemanded that the position of the pro-vice-chancellor, created in 2009, shouldbe abolished as there had been no such post since the establishment of theuniversity in 1962.
Sources said SM Nazrul Islam wasappointed vice-chancellor in 2010, while Habibur Rahman as pro-vice-chancellorin 2009.
-With The New Nation input
