Buet closed amid fear of unrest

The Buet has been closed for an indefinite period after some unruly students vandalised its academic buildings, demanding postponement of term final exams.

All resident students were instructed to vacate halls by 5:00pm yesterday, according to a notice published by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).

The authorities claimed that a group of “unruly” students confined the vice-chancellor (VC), registrar and students' welfare director to the VC's office on Tuesday, demanding postponement of the exams.

On Wednesday night, they besieged the teachers' residential area and vandalised some academic buildings.

“Because of this, the overall law and order in the university has deteriorated,” said the notice, signed by Registrar AKM Masud.

Under these circumstances, all academic activities will remain suspended until the security of teachers, students and staffs is ensured, and the congenial environment for education is restored, it added.

The students said they demanded holding the exams after the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation instead of the scheduled date of June 27.

They could not prepare themselves for the exams due to some unscheduled closure of the university in recent times, they claimed.

“But the sudden closure of the university has created an uncertain situation on academic activities,” said one of the students, wishing not to be named.

Buet VC Khaleda Ekram, now staying abroad, would take necessary steps on the issue after her return, said the university sources.

Despite repeated attempts, Student Welfare Director Delwar Hossain could not be reached for his comments.