A Campus Strained by Faculty Grouping and the Shadow of Politics

April 14 remains a tragic and unforgettable day in the history of PSTU. At around 3:00 pm, Hussain Mohammad Ashik, a student of the 2023–24 academic session, drowned while bathing in a pond at nearby Janata College. He was rushed to Dumki Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Allegations of medical negligence followed the incident, leading to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) status of Dr. Shamim Azad, Junior Consultant of the Cardiology Department at Patuakhali Sadar Hospital.

First-Ever Research Festival at Demoted On May 18, PSTU hosted its first-ever day-long research festival in its 23-year history. Organized under the theme “Research for Coastal Resilience,” the event focused on challenges, prospects, and sustainable development planning for coastal regions. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter joined the event virtually as a guest speaker. The festival generated notable enthusiasm across campus, highlighting PSTU’s growing role in research and innovation.

Death of Student Affairs Adviser Casts Shadow Over Campus: On June 3, a somber atmosphere enveloped the university following the death of Professor Dr. Md. Jillur Rahman, a faculty member of the Department of Language and Communication, Student Affairs Adviser, and Regent Board member. He passed away at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment. Aged 48, he had been suffering from lung cancer and pneumonia. His untimely death deeply affected students, faculty members, and university officials.

Sexual Harassment Allegation: Professor Demoted In a significant move reflecting administrative firmness, the university took strict action over allegations of harassment and sexual abuse involving a female student. On June 19, Professor Dr. A. K. M. Abdul Ahad of the Disaster Risk Management Department was demoted for three years following an investigation. The official order provided no scope for appeal, reinforcing the administration’s stance on student safety and ethical accountability.

PSTU Journalists’ Association Concludes Two-Month Training Workshop: A two-month professional training workshop titled “Training Program on Journalism and Communication”—jointly organized by the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and the PSTU Journalists’ Association—concluded on July 19. Sixty students from various faculties participated in the program, which began on February 1 and played a significant role in enhancing journalism and communication skills on campus.

Animal Husbandry Students Submit Memorandum; VC Expresses Solidarity : On July 31, students of the Animal Husbandry discipline submitted a memorandum demanding the elimination of discrimination in the livestock sector and the introduction of a combined undergraduate degree. After a protest march and sit-in in front of the administrative building, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam expressed solidarity with their demands, generating a positive response among students.

PSTU–Universiti Putra Malaysia Joint Exchange Meeting On August 4, a joint exchange meeting was held between PSTU and Universiti Putra Malaysia to strengthen academic and research collaboration. The meeting, organized by PSTU’s International Student Affairs (ISA) Cell, took place at the Faculty of Agriculture conference room.

Students Protest Remarks Against PSTU VC:

Students of the Animal Husbandry discipline protested against alleged derogatory remarks made by Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad of Bangladesh Agricultural University regarding the PSTU Vice-Chancellor. In a statement, they described the comments as indecent, unethical, and mentally unstable. The remarks reportedly followed the VC’s support for the students’ combined degree demand.

Anti-Corruption Commission Raid Over Embezzlement Allegations: On August 17, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid at PSTU over allegations of embezzlement amounting to approximately Tk 25 million involving two officials of the university’s loan section. Led by ACC Assistant Director Tapas Biswas, the operation uncovered preliminary evidence of irregularities.

‘Agri Blockade’ by PSTU Students at Lebukhali Toll Plaza: On August 31, PSTU students staged an ‘Agri Blockade’ at the Lebukhali Payra Toll Plaza on the Dhaka–Patuakhali highway, supporting the three-point demand of the Krishibid Oikya Parishad and rejecting what they termed unjustified demands by diploma holders.

Combined Degree Approved After 34-Day Student Movement: Following a 34-day student movement, the university’s Academic Council approved a new combined degree titled “BSc in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (AH)” by merging two previously separate degrees. The decision led to the withdrawal of the protest.

Professor and Students Harassed on Bus; Culprits Dismissed: A PSTU professor and several students were harassed, assaulted, and threatened with death on a Kuakata–Dhaka-bound Unique Paribahan bus after protesting reckless driving. Following widespread outrage, the bus driver and helper were permanently dismissed, and the company formally apologized to the university.

Three PSTU Students Among World’s Top 2% Researchers: Three students from PSTU’s Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science—Abu Sayeed Shuvo, Satyajit Kundu, and Hafiz Raihan—earned a place among the world’s top 2% researchers, according to a Stanford University–based study published by Elsevier.

Faculty Division Over Student Affairs Adviser Appointment: After the death of Student Affairs Adviser Dr. Jillur Rahman, disputes erupted over the appointment of his successor. The controversy triggered intense unrest throughout August, exposing deep political and ideological divisions among faculty members.

End of the Year Marked by Deepening Political Polarization: The year concluded with severe tensions over faculty recruitment and promotion decisions, culminating in a boycott of Victory Day celebrations by a faction led by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Competing accusations, slogans, and public statements laid bare the extent of internal polarization, leaving the campus deeply divided.