Token hunger strike held, class boycott continues

Students of Pabna University of Science and Technology observed a token hunger strike at Central Shaheed Miner in Pabna town yesterday to realise their 8-point demand.Photo: STAR

The students of Pabna University of Science and Technology observed a token hunger strike on the premises of central Shaheed Minar in the district town yesterday as part of their ongoing agitation programme.
Earlier on Tuesday, the students started indefinite class boycott and demonstration programmes to press for their eight-point demand.
The demand includes introduction of 'short semester system' for promotion, amendment to present GPA (Grade Point Average) system, cancellation of results published according to the running GPA system, eight years' registration validity instead of present six years, recruitment of experienced teachers, construction of university campus hurriedly, and end to 'ill-treatment' by the teachers.
The students gathered on the Shaheed Minar campus at about 9:00am yesterday and continued their token hunger strike there till 1:00pm.
“We are holding our programme peacefully. But the university administration has not taken any step to solve our problem,” said Md Baki Billah, convener of the 51-member students' demonstration committee.
Announcing Sunday as deadline for meeting their demands, the agitators said otherwise they will siege the vice chancellor's office.
Contacted, Md Kamruzzaman, proctor of the university, said, "Following formation of a committee by the vice chancellor, we the teachers of all the departments tried to talk with the students for solving the problem but the students did not respond to our call. Still we are trying to find a solution.”
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mozaffar Hossain said, "The Regent Board of Pabna University of Science and Technology approved every rule including the provision of minimum GPA-2. We cannot change any rule immediately. A committee has been formed. They will recommend what to do.”