AH Discipline Teachers Boycott Classes and Exams at PSTU over Combined Degree Issue

Teachers of the Animal Husbandry (AH) discipline under the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (ANSVM) at (PSTU) have boycotted classes and examinations over the ongoing combined degree controversy.

On Monday (February 23), the ongoing semester final examinations of Level-4, Semester-1 and Level-1, Semester-2 of the combined degree program titled “BSc in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry” were postponed. Following the suspension of the exams, tension spread across the ANSVM faculty, prompting students to immediately besiege the dean’s office.

Earlier, in a written letter signed by chairpersons of different departments of the Animal Husbandry (AH) discipline and addressed to the faculty dean, the teachers stated that the decision of the university’s 54th emergency Academic Council meeting had been declared illegal and unlawful by the High Court. As a result, they decided not to participate in academic activities of the combined degree that replaced the previously running AH and DVM degrees.

When contacted, Professor Dr. Shahbubul Alam, Chairman of the Department of General Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, said,“We stand by the court verdict. Since the High Court has declared the combined degree illegal and unlawful, we have announced the suspension of all ongoing classes and examinations under this degree. All teachers of the five departments under the AH discipline are united in this decision.”

Regarding whether the university administration has taken any decision, he added,“The certified copy of the verdict reached the university on February 19. We hope the administration will take a decision very soon.”

Meanwhile, Jahidul Hasan Jahid, a student of Level-4, Semester-1, said,“We had our ongoing semester final exam today. We came to the examination hall as scheduled, but later learned that AH discipline teachers would not conduct the exam due to the combined degree issue. This situation is deeply concerning for us, as only one exam remains. We have submitted a written application to the dean demanding that the exam be held.”

Professor Dr. S. M. Hemayet Jahan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university, said,“Yesterday, the teachers of the Animal Husbandry discipline submitted a letter to me stating that since the court has declared the combined degree illegal, conducting classes and exams would amount to contempt of court.”

Asked whether the university administration has taken any steps, he said,“No action can be taken against the court verdict. The university administration will try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Kazi Rafiqul Islam said,“The High Court verdict did not provide any specific directive regarding currently enrolled students. Students whose academic activities are ongoing may choose to continue under the combined degree or return to the previous degree structure.”

He further added,“The university administration will file an appeal against the High Court verdict. If the appeal is upheld, a single degree structure will remain in place; if not, the previously existing three degree structures will have to be continued.”

It is noteworthy that the ongoing deadlock has created uncertainty and anxiety among students, who have urged the university administration to intervene and ensure a swift resolution.