Teachers’ Shutdown Sparks Protest at PSTU as Defense Students Lock Academic Building

Tensions escalated at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) after students protested the suspension of defense activities during an ongoing teachers’ shutdown program.

On Tuesday, May 12, around 12:00 pm, students from the Combined 2019–20 Session (Section-A) under the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (ANSVM) gathered in front of the university’s academic building. Protesting the sudden halt of their scheduled defense sessions, they locked the building’s main entrance and staged a sit-in demonstration. Several teachers inside the building were temporarily confined during the protest.

Students said the defense examinations of nearly 25 students from their batch had already been completed, while the remaining defenses were suspended midway. They expressed concern that the disruption could cause session delays and affect internships and future professional activities. The students demanded the immediate resumption of defense activities.

According to university sources, a section of teachers announced a boycott of classes, examinations, and other academic activities following an alleged attack on teachers by local Jubo Dal activists on May 11. However, the university administration later instructed that academic activities should continue as usual. The conflicting decisions reportedly created confusion and frustration among students.

A student from the Combined 2019–20 Session said, “Our defense activities were almost complete. But the sudden shutdown stopped everything midway, creating uncertainty about our academic and professional future.”

Professor Dr. Khondokar Jahangir Alam, Dean of the ANSVM Faculty, said over the phone, “The defense activities were suspended due to the ongoing shutdown protesting the attack on teachers. This has created frustration among students. The matter has been communicated to the university administration, and we have been assured of a prompt resolution.”

Students urged the authorities to restore a stable academic environment and resume normal academic activities as soon as possible.