DUET Campus Empties Amid Protests Over New VC

The Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) campus has been virtually deserted after students announced a "complete shutdown" in protest against the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor.

Most students vacated the residential halls on Tuesday night, while those living further away departed on Wednesday morning. By Wednesday, the university's main and pocket gates were closed, leaving the campus unusually quiet.

An administrative official confirmed that all internal operations have been suspended, with the university's scheduled Eid vacation officially beginning on Thursday.

Amid the standstill, newly appointed VC Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal held a closed-door meeting with 15 to 20 protesting students at the adjacent Upazila Parishad around 11:00 am on Wednesday.

Professor Dr. Md. Khasru Mia, President of the DUET Teachers' Association, confirmed the meeting. He noted that the VC spoke with the students directly without other faculty members present. "Discussions are ongoing in phases, but they have not yet reached a resolution," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the VC met with faculty members at the Gazipur Metropolitan Headquarters. According to Teachers' Association General Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, the teachers briefed the VC on the students' demands and relayed his request for a direct dialogue with the protesters, which the students subsequently honored.

The DUET campus has been volatile for the past six days, marked by protests, clashes, and vandalism over the VC's appointment. The students are pushing a three-point demand, primarily calling for the withdrawal of Professor Iqbal and the appointment of a current DUET faculty member as the new VC.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hasanur Rahman, a fourth-year Civil Engineering student, formally announced the 'complete shutdown' following previous 'red card' and 'blockade' campaigns.

"Attempts are being made to suppress our movement with false labels and lawsuits, but the students remain steadfast," Hasanur stated. He emphasized that while the door for dialogue remains open, the protests will intensify if their demands are not met.

The protesting students also issued a strict warning that no partisan student politics will be tolerated on the campus going forward.