Tension gripped Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) after the government appointed a new Vice-Chancellor, triggering protests, clashes, and heightened security measures across the campus.
The unrest began after an official government notification announced the appointment of Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the new Vice-Chancellor of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of students rejected the decision and launched demonstrations, demanding the appointment be reconsidered.
The protest movement reportedly started on the night of 14 May and continued for several days, eventually escalating into violence on Sunday morning. According to local reports, a three-way clash broke out on campus involving protesting students, opposing groups, and individuals alleged by students to be outsiders.
Witnesses said the situation rapidly deteriorated in the area surrounding the campus Shaheed Minar, where confrontations turned violent. Protesters alleged that unknown individuals entered the university premises during the ongoing demonstrations and carried out sudden attacks on students.
Several videos circulated on social media appeared to show injured students receiving emergency assistance. Although an official injury count has not yet been confirmed, multiple students were reportedly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Law enforcement agencies were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation. Aminul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Gazipur Sadar Police Station, confirmed that police personnel had been stationed at the campus and were working to stabilise the situation.
The protesting students have maintained a clear demand: DUET’s Vice-Chancellor should be appointed from among the university’s own academic staff rather than from an external institution. According to student representatives, internal faculty members possess a stronger understanding of the university’s specialised engineering education system, academic structure, student needs, and long-term administrative challenges.
They argue that appointing an internal candidate would help ensure greater continuity in institutional planning, smoother governance, and more effective implementation of development initiatives.
University authorities have yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the clashes or the students’ objections. The Ministry of Education has also not announced any immediate reconsideration of the appointment.
The incident has once again highlighted the recurring tensions in public universities across Bangladesh regarding administrative appointments, institutional autonomy, and student participation in governance decisions.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) |
| Issue | Appointment of new Vice-Chancellor |
| Newly appointed VC | Prof Dr Mohammad Iqbal |
| Previous institution of appointee | Shahjalal University of Science and Technology |
| Start of protests | 14 May (night) |
| Major clash | 17 May (Sunday morning) |
| Student demand | Appointment of VC from DUET’s internal faculty |
| Law enforcement response | Police deployed on campus |
Campus activities remained tense at the time of reporting, with students continuing to monitor developments and maintain their position regarding the leadership appointment.