The academic deadlock at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) shows no sign of easing, with educational activities suspended for an unprecedented 86 consecutive days.
Despite multiple attempts at resolution from the university administration and various stakeholders, the standoff between students and teachers continues to paralyse the institution.
In the ongoing stalemate, students of Kuet have once again announced a fresh round of protests, demanding the resumption of academic activities, formation of a new neutral investigation committee, and a roadmap for the implementation of their five-point demands.
As part of their protest, students staged a sit-in today around 12:30am in front of the administrative building under the banner of "Songram Committee", confirmed Md Rahatul Islam, a 4th-year civil engineering student.
Despite the announcement that academic activities would resume on May 4, no classes have been held as teachers have refrained from returning to classrooms.
As of 2:00pm today, teachers are yet to resume academic duties.
The crisis began on February 18, when over 150 students were injured in an assault allegedly carried out by outsiders. Since then, all academic activities at the university have been suspended. Initially, students launched a five-point movement, including the demand for the vice-chancellor's resignation. Eventually, they narrowed it down to a single demand -- the VC's resignation. Responding to the pressure, the government relieved the VC of his duties, after a 57-hour hunger strike by the students.
Following a syndicate meeting, it was decided that academic activities would resume from May 4. However, the university's teachers' association declared a boycott of academic duties, insisting that those responsible for assaulting teachers must be brought to justice first.
An earlier investigation committee had recommended disciplinary action against 37 students. However, the syndicate later withdrew the recommendation. Despite this, the university issued show-cause notices to those 37, prompting renewed anger among the student body. In protest, they held rallies on campus and submitted a formal request to the VC on May 13, calling for the dissolution of the previous probe committee and the formation of a new one.
Meanwhile, on May 5, the Kuet Teachers' Association held a press briefing and issued a seven-working-day ultimatum, demanding justice for the assault on teachers along with other related concerns. That ultimatum ends today at 5:00pm.
Regarding the possibility of returning to class, Professor Shahidul Islam, President of the Kuet Teachers' Association, said, "We met with the vice-chancellor to discuss the latest status of our demands."
He said the teachers will observe developments over the weekend and, on Sunday, hold a general meeting to decide their next course of action based on teachers' opinions.
"Our position will be officially announced through a press briefing," he said.
As tensions simmer on campus, both parties remain firm in their positions, leaving 7,000 students of Kuet caught in the middle of a protracted crisis.
