PSTU DVM Students Continued Boycott for Eighth Day; Talks with Faculty Fail to Resolve Crisis

Students of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) continued their boycott of classes and exams for the eighth consecutive day. The protest persists following a failed meeting between faculty members and student representatives on April 2.

The crisis stems from a September 3, 2025, Academic Council decision that abolished separate DVM and Animal Husbandry degrees, merging them into a single BSc in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry program. Students, originally admitted under the DVM curriculum, demand its immediate reinstatement.

The dispute recently reached the judiciary. Following a High Court ruling declaring the abolition of separate degrees unlawful, a subsequent Chamber Court decision on March 11 cleared the path for students to continue under their original programs. Despite this, protesters claim the university administration has failed to issue an official notification.

"We have one demand: reinstate the DVM degree under the previous curriculum," a protesting student stated. "The administration offers only verbal assurances. Until an official notification is published, our boycott will continue, and we may be forced to take stricter measures."

Attempts to reach Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam for a statement were unsuccessful.