RUET Credit system: Section of students go on indefinite strike

A section of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) students today announced indefinite strike demanding withdrawal of “33 credit system”.

The students decided not to attend any examinations or classes unless their demand is fulfilled, an agitating student wishing anonymity told our Rajshahi University correspondent.

University authorities introduced the “33 credit system” in 2013, where if a student fails to get 33 out of 40 credits, she or he will not be allowed to move up to next session and will have to retake the whole year again.

Whereas previously, a student could move on to the next session even if they passed less than 33 credits and were allowed to retake the subjects at a later date.

Around 150 students of 2014-2015 batches of different departments have been protesting the credit system by boycotting classes and examinations from 8:00am.

They also submitted a memorandum to the university vice chancellor in the morning.

When asked, Vice Chancellor Prof Rafiqul Alam Beg said the system was introduced in 2013 for the students' own good and their demand for withdrawing it is illogical, reports our RUET correspondent.

However, the students had not consulted him regarding the matter before starting the movement, says the VC.

“Decision on the next course of action will be made after a meeting of academic council”, he added.

Students alleged, around 150 students of ’13 and ’14 batches have failed to earn the necessary amount of credits to pass till now.

Tamim, one of the agitating students, said under the new system if a student cannot manage to secure 33 credits out of 40 in one year, he or she has to repeat the year with junior students.

He said, before the ‘33 credit system’ was introduced, students who fell short of the required credits, used to get them by completing short courses in their final year.

Another student alleged that, there is no such type of credit system in any other engineering and technology university in the country.

Though a University official anonymously said that, the RUET Chhatra League is behind this movement, the agitating students denied the allegations.

They said, they are protesting the credit system for the general students, there is no political connection to it.

RUET BCL General Secretary Topu said, “we have no connection with this movement”.