RU vet students continue class boycott

Students of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science department at Rajshahi University forwarded a memorandum to the university vice-chancellor yesterday, protesting the opening of Animal Husbandry Science department at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU).
They also continued to boycott classes for the second day yesterday as part of their indefinite class boycott programme to press the demand that PSTU must shut down the new department, as similar department already exists at the same university.
PSTU recently launched Animal Husbandry Science department despite the existence of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science department.
The protesting students urged the government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take steps to stop operation of the new department at PSTU, fearing that the present crisis may worsen in their job market.
RU Vice-chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan requested the UGC and the authorities concerned to consider the students' demand.
The students told journalists that the UGC earlier in a letter directed PSTU to cancel the decision of launching Animal Husbandry Science department.
They said they would launch tougher movement along with students of all educational institutions if PSTU does not shut down the department immediately.
Prof Dr Mohammad Jalal Uddin Sarder, chairman of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science department of RU, expressed solidarity with the students.
UGC Chairman Prof AK Azad said he would call a meeting with the vice-chancellors of all universities including PSTU to reach a decision in this regard soon. He declined to tell anything further before the meeting.