Seventy-two teachers of Barishal University resigned from various administrative posts, including those of proctor, provosts and chairpersons of all 25 departments, on Monday and Tuesday to press home their demand for promotions.
Academic and administrative activities at the university remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as teachers continued their complete shutdown programme that began on Monday.
Offices across the campus, including the registrar’s office, remained locked throughout the day.
Students expressed concern over the prolonged disruption and called on the government to intervene immediately to resolve the crisis.
The protesting teachers on Monday afternoon also declared vice-chancellor Professor Mohammad Taufiq Alam ‘unwanted’ on the campus.
Their other demands include resolving the teachers’ crisis and removing the vice-chancellor.
The protest began on April 21 when 60 teachers, under the banner of the Barishal University Teachers’ Society, launched a work abstention and administrative shutdown programme demanding promotions.
The teachers seeking promotions claimed that many of them became eligible nearly two years ago, but no promotions have yet been granted.
Amid the ongoing protests, the teachers’ organisation at a meeting on Sunday announced a complete academic and administrative shutdown from Monday and reiterated its declaration of the vice-chancellor as ‘unwanted’ on the campus.
Associate Professor Abdul Baten Chowdhury of the history department said that the issue must be resolved within the framework of the university’s existing regulations. Otherwise, the shutdown would continue indefinitely, he warned.
Associate Professor Dhiman Kumar Roy, one of the protesting teachers, blamed the vice-chancellor for the crisis.
The protesters said that a tripartite meeting was held on April 30 among the vice-chancellor, the Barishal divisional commissioner and representatives of the protesting teachers to resolve complications regarding the promotions.
However, despite a syndicate meeting held last Saturday, no solution was reached, they alleged.
Vice-chancellor Professor Mohammad Taufiq Alam said on Monday that the administration could not approve promotions without formulating the university statute.
Barishal divisional commissioner and syndicate member Khalil Ahmed said discussions were underway to resolve the issue quickly.
More than 10,000 students study in 25 departments at the university.
