Kuet stalemate deepens as interim VC steps down
The Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet) remains mired in crisis after interim Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Hazarat Ali resigned yesterday under mounting pressure from faculty members.
His departure comes just 20 days after the government replaced the previous VC, Prof Md Masud, following violent student clashes on February 18–19.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Prof Ali—a civil engineering academic from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET)—was appointed interim vice chancellor by the education ministry on May 1 via official notification.
His brief tenure failed to quell deep seated mistrust among staff and students.
Over the past week, the KUET Teachers' Association passed a vote of no confidence in his leadership, accusing him of ignoring university regulations, neglecting legitimate demands, and failing to safeguard both faculty and students.
Thursday morning, dozens of lecturers formed a human chain on campus, reiterating calls for his removal and for the appointment of "a qualified, rule-abiding administrator who can lead Kuet out of the ongoing crisis".
Speaking with journalist after the human chain, Prof Md Faruq Hossain, general secretary of the Teachers' Association, said, "We believe he has failed to fulfil his duties as the guardian of the university. Since he cannot carry the responsibility, we expect him to step aside with dignity, for the greater interest of Kuet."
"Without stable leadership, restoring trust, order and academic normalcy remains a distant goal. We expect the government will appoint a capable vice-chancellor who will be Kuet friendly," he added.
The unrest traces back to February 18, when two student groups—joined by outsiders—clashed over demands to ban campus politics. Students launched a six point charter, later narrowed to a single demand: the resignation of both the vice chancellor and pro vice chancellor.
In response, on April 25, the government removed Prof Masud and Pro Vice-Chancellor Sheikh Shariful Alam.
Despite issuing show cause notices to the accused students following a Syndicate meeting on May 6, the administration's actions failed to satisfy either faculty or student protesters. Last week's sit-in by students outside the administrative building, and the subsequent postponement of disciplinary hearings by the acting VC, only deepened faculty frustration—culminating in today's resignation.
With academic and administrative activities suspended indefinitely since February 25 and students evicted from residential halls, Kuet remains in deadlock. Both teachers and students continue to press for comprehensive solutions, leaving the university's future uncertain until stable and trusted leadership is installed.
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