Education minister meets with students

Demonstrating students of Bangladesh Engineering of University and Technology (Buet) yesterday said they will end their agitation programme if the authorities issue an official notice regarding the fulfilment of their 16-point demand.

Hasan Sarowar Shaikot, a coordinator of the movement, said this to The Daily Star after holding a three and a half hour-long meeting with Education Minister Dipu Moni and the university vice-chancellor.

“They assured us that all our demands will be met, but we demanded the issuance of [official] notice regarding this. In response, the authorities said they would issue a notice tomorrow [today]. We will stop our movement if they do so,” Shaikat added.

Shaikat said they will resume their agitation from Saturday if the authorities do not issue the notice.

Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Chhatra League president-general secretary and Buet BCL leaders were also present at the meeting.

Students have been demonstrating since last Saturday to realise their demands, which include formation of a committee comprising teachers of civil engineering and architecture departments to build the Buet gate, introducing teacher evaluation system, digitising students’ payment process and increasing allocation in research sector.

Meanwhile, the VC remained absent to his office since the movement started, students alleged.