Education Ministry to monitor SUST situation for 6 months

The Education Ministry has decided to observe the overall situation at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology for six months amid protests by two groups of teachers.
In a letter sent by the ministry, the university authorities were directed to take steps for ensuring a smooth learning atmosphere for students, to arrange undergraduate admission tests on schedule and to try for peaceful resolution of complaints lodged by teachers.
The letter signed by the ministry’s Deputy Secretary Jinnat Rehana reached the vice-chancellor’s office yesterday noon.
A forum of teachers held demonstrations since April 13 against the vice-chancellor, Professor Md Aminul Haque Bhuyan, after accusing him of many irregularities, including professional misconduct. A total of 35 teachers, including Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, later submitted resignations and called for the vice-chancellor’s removal.
On July 23, the education minister held a meeting with the teachers and urged them to call off demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the university’s budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 was announced yesterday.
The Tk58.72 crore budget comes with a deficit of Tk51.72 crore, which will be filled by University Grants Commission, said the university’s Finance Director ANM Joynal Abedin.