Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Dr. Muhammad Masud and Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. S K Shariful Alam have resigned following intense student protests.

A senior official at the Ministry of Education confirmed the matter on Wednesday night (April 23).

The official said that both submitted their resignations to the ministry. The ministry had earlier requested their resignation after all efforts to resolve the crisis had failed.

According to procedure, their resignation letters will be forwarded to the Chancellor of the university, the President of Bangladesh, whose approval is required to make the resignations official.

Earlier on Wednesday night, the ministry had announced that the process of relieving both top officials from their duties had started to restore academic activities at the university. A search committee will soon be formed to appoint new officials for the vacant posts. In the meantime, a senior faculty member will be assigned as acting vice-chancellor to ensure smooth operations.

The unrest began following a violent clash on February 18 between students, local residents, and members of the student wings of a political party, injuring more than 50 people. KUET authorities shut down academic activities and student halls indefinitely on February 25. Despite restrictions, students re-entered the campus on April 13.

In response, the university temporarily expelled 37 students involved in the February violence during an emergency syndicate meeting held on April 14.

On April 22, 29 students began a hunger strike demanding the removal of the VC. The Education Adviser visited the campus to convince the students to call off their strike, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Students from Dhaka University and other institutions also issued an ultimatum for the VC to step down.

BDST: 1211 HRS, April 24, 2025
MSK