Jamaat-Shibir Tightens Grip on BUET

Staff Reporter

Since the political shift on August 5, Jamaat-Shibir affiliates have gained a stronghold at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), appointing leadership roles to figures deemed anti-Awami and anti-India.

A newly appointed pro-vice-chancellor was chosen over 250 senior faculty members primarily for delivering a speech against the Sheikh Hasina government during a protest earlier this year. Following their appointments, measures were taken against more than 50 students aligned with pro-Liberation ideologies based on complaints by Jamaat-Shibir supporters, even as investigations remain incomplete.

These students have been barred from attending classes, while Jamaat-Shibir-aligned groups continue to disrupt academic schedules, citing various grievances. Faculty and staff who held significant positions before the political shift are also being targeted, with around 40 faculty members and 20 staff publicly listed for alleged wrongdoing despite no formal accusations.

The current administration is accused of succumbing to pressure from Jamaat-affiliated personnel, including demands to reinstate former BUET professor Dr. Jahangir Alam. Dr. Alam, who left BUET after being accused of making statements against the Liberation War verdicts, has applied for reinstatement. While the syndicate rejected his initial request, the administration issued a recruitment notice seemingly tailored for his return, sparking discontent among faculty members.

The academic calendar has suffered heavily under the influence of Jamaat-Shibir factions. The ongoing term, which began in August 2024, has faced multiple disruptions, with classes halted for weeks and final exams postponed three times. The situation has left ordinary students uncertain about their academic future, while BUET’s teachers’ association remains notably silent amid the turmoil.