Chittagong University Senate session held without teacher representatives amid student protests over political affiliations

Chittagong University held its annual Senate session on Saturday without the participation of any elected teacher representatives, following protests and security concerns sparked by student political organizations.

The session, which took place at the university’s administrative building from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., marked the first such gathering in two years following the July mass uprising. Although 24 elected teacher representatives were eligible to attend, none entered the session hall. Most of these representatives are affiliated with the Awami League-aligned progressive teachers’ collective known as the Yellow Group.

Student groups, including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Islami Chhatrashibir, Chhatra Shakti, and the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU), staged demonstrations to block the teachers’ entry. Protesters issued warnings that any faculty member associated with the ousted Awami League regime would face strict consequences if they attempted to participate in the session, citing the presence of teachers who allegedly supported the violent crackdown on students during the July-August uprising.

Professor S.M. Monirul Hasan of the Sociology Department confirmed that approximately 20 elected faculty members arrived on campus but declined to enter the building. He questioned why elected members were being obstructed from exercising their democratic rights. Professor Md. Danesh Mia of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences added that the decision to boycott the session stemmed from a lack of adequate security, noting that the university administration failed to ensure a safe environment for the representatives.

Mothers highlight legal challenges and systemic discrimination in child guardianship battles during Dhaka dialogue

Read Article

University Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Al-Furkan stated that the administration did not discourage teachers from attending, describing participation as a democratic right. He maintained that the session proceeded peacefully and addressed procedural requirements. Regarding the vacant positions within the Senate—currently numbering nine due to death or retirement—the Vice-Chancellor promised that future elections would be held systematically to restore the body’s full representation.

Outside the administrative building, CHAKSU presented a 19-point list of demands to the Vice-Chancellor, including the construction of new dormitories, increased housing capacity, and improved campus transportation services. During the protests, JCD leaders, including General Secretary Abdullah Al-Noman, reiterated that the Senate must be cleared of those they labeled as remnants of the former authoritarian regime. Similarly, activists from Chhatrashibir and Chhatra Shakti held separate rallies, with Chhatra Shakti General Secretary Md. Ismail demanding accountability from the administration for allowing the targeted teachers to leave campus safely after they had failed to attend the session.

The Senate, the university’s highest governing body, is responsible for approving annual reports, audits, and financial estimates. With 102 total seats across 12 categories—including officials, parliamentarians, and academic experts—the absence of the 33 elected teacher representatives significantly impacted the assembly’s traditional representative capacity.