Barishal University Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Shuchita Sharmin has been removed from her post following 29 consecutive days of student protests.

She has been reinstated to her previous position as a professor at the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka.

Meanwhile, Dr Md Taufiq Alam, a professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Rajshahi University, has been appointed as the acting vice chancellor of Barishal University.

Confirming the development, ASM Kashem, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education, said, “The BU VC has been removed. A formal gazette notification will be uploaded on the official website shortly.”

Earlier today, as part of their movement demanding the VC’s removal, students blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway adjacent to the university from 4:30pm to 9:00pm, causing severe traffic congestion and immense suffering for commuters.

Since Monday night, a group of 13 protesting students had been on a hunger strike unto death at the university’s ground floor, demanding the VC’s resignation. On Tuesday afternoon, five of the students fell ill due to the hunger strike.

RMG workers block Dhaka-Aricha Highway

The protest had earlier brought academic and administrative activities at the university to a standstill, as part of a shutdown called by the students.

Several faculty members, officials, and staff expressed solidarity with the movement, while 11 teachers resigned from their administrative posts in protest.