DUET VC Mohammad Iqbal takes charge amid student ‘shutdown’ protest

Professor Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur, took charge today (21 May) amid a “complete shutdown” enforced by a section of students.

He entered the DUET campus in the afternoon under tight security amid ongoing student protests.

As weekly and Eid holidays begin from today, the campus was almost empty, with most students already having left the university halls.

Later in the afternoon, the Vice-Chancellor formally took charge and began carrying out his duties. He also exchanged views with teachers and university staff.

Professor Mohammad Iqbal said he has been performing his responsibilities since joining on Sunday. He added that he has already signed more than 100 official files, including salary and leave approvals for university officials and employees.

He also said efforts would be made to hold discussions and resolve the issues raised by the protesting students.

Earlier, anti-VC protesters enforced “red card” and “blockade” programmes, bringing academic and administrative activities on campus to a halt.

The protesting students vowed to continue their movement until their three-point demand is met.

Their demands include cancellation of the appointment of Professor Mohammad Iqbal and the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from among DUET teachers currently serving at the university.

The unrest began after the government appointed Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as the new VC of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of students rejected the appointment and demanded that the Vice-Chancellor be selected from within the university