Mashud reappointed Kuet VC after removal during student protests last year

Professor Md Mashud has been reappointed as the vice-chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet), after being removed from the post during the student protests at the university last year.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon confirmed the appointment at a press conference at the ministry in Dhaka today (16 March), where he also announced the appointment of vice-chancellors for six other public universities.

Unrest began at Kuet after 5 August 2024 during the interim government period.

On 12 August 2024, then vice-chancellor Mihir Ranjan Halder and pro-VC Professor Sobahan Mia were forced to resign amid the tensions.

Following their resignation, Mashud took charge as acting VC.

Later, on 5 September 2024, the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division officially appointed him as VC for a four-year term.

However, clashes broke out on 18 February 2025 between Kuet students and leaders of Jatiotabadi Chatradal, the student wing of the BNP, leaving nearly a hundred students injured.

Following the incident, students launched a movement demanding the VC’s resignation, accusing him of failing to ensure their safety and of supporting efforts to reinstate campus politics.

During the protests, students reportedly attacked him twice.

Amid the escalating situation, the government relieved Mashud of his duties on 26 April 2025.