SUST students suffer from serious session jam

Nizam Uddin Saleh :: The ongoing blockade and general strikes of the BNP have largely hampered studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet.

No classes and examinations have been held at the university for quite a long time, which have subjected the students to a long session jam.

The length of the session jam at some departments has reached as many as four months, with the six-month semesters remaining incomplete even after 10 months.

“My fifth semester began in April last year and I am yet to complete it,” said Suheb Al Ragib, a student of mathematics.

The situation in the remaining 24 departments is practically the same. Students of 2011-12 academic year, who are supposed to be in their seventh semester now, are still doing their fifth semester.

The political programmes have jeopardised the future of around 8,000 students of the university, and both the teachers and students remain very concerned.

Last year, it came as a big blow to the students when the authorities closed the university sine die in the wake of the death of a private university student during a gun battle between two Chhatra League factions on the campus.

Establishment of dominion on the campus led to the November 20 shootout, which also injured nine people.

The university reopened on January 18 this year, but students, much to their disappointment, then had to face political unrest characterised by violence perpetrated during the indefinite blockade and the general strikes.

Exams in many departments could not be held because of the blockade and strikes even though the university opened after a long break, said students.

Professor Dr Md Aminul Haque Bhuyan, vice-chancellor of the university, said a meeting was held last week where it was decided that classes and exams would be held on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said the decision would serve the students positively.

“The university’s administrative activities will continue even during the blockade while students will be fully participating in classroom studies on days with