Ruet suspends 2nd year classes amid protest

The academic council of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) yesterday suspended all academic activities for honours second year students following their agitation for withdrawal of a new credit system.

The decision has been taken after the students did not respond to their teachers' call to attend classes stopping their "illogical movement", Prof Rafiqul Alam Beg, vice chancellor of Ruet, told The Daily Star. The vice chancellor, however, on Tuesday told journalists that they would consider the demand.

The students at a press conference on the campus yesterday threatened to launch tougher programmes if the authorities do not resume classes within three days after fulfilling their demand.

Earlier in the morning, some 50 students attempted to besiege the administrative building but police foiled their several bids.

They later marched on the campus and held a protest rally there.

The second year honours students started the agitation on Tuesday demanding change in the new credit system introduced in 2013 that made mandatory for the students to secure at least 33 credits, out of 40, in an academic year. If any student fails to secure the mandatory credits in two semester examinations in a year, he or she has to restart the academic year with junior students.

Earlier, the students were allowed to be promoted to the next year despite being unsuccessful in several courses. Out of 725 students, 29 could not secure the required credits in the examinations to be promoted to the second year.