Students enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) discipline at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) continued boycotting classes and examinations on Thurday, demanding the reinstatement of the DVM degree.
The students first announced a suspension of all classes and exams on March 4, organizing protest marches and other activities to press their demand. On Thursday, DVM faculty members held discussions with the students, but failing to reach a satisfactory solution, the students decided to maintain their movement.
Earlier, on February 26, DVM students submitted a memorandum to the university’s Vice-Chancellor requesting the reinstatement of their DVM degree. The petition stated that the students were previously enrolled as regular DVM students, but following a decision by the university’s 54th (emergency) Academic Council on September 3, 2025, the DVM and Animal Husbandry degrees were annulled and merged under the BSc in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry program.
Subsequently, the students filed a writ petition (No. 17318/2025) in the High Court, which declared the separate annulment of the DVM and BSc (Hons) degrees unlawful and ordered that the programs be run independently in parallel.
The university appealed, but on March 11, the Chamber Court overturned the stay granted on March 5, allowing students to continue classes in their respective degrees.
Following the court verdict, students renewed their demand for the full restoration of the DVM degree under the previous curriculum. However, due to the lack of effective action from the university administration, DVM students have been compelled to continue boycotting classes and examinations.
One student said, Our demand is clear — we want our previous DVM curriculum reinstated. Unfortunately, the university administration has repeatedly delayed action under various pretexts, diverting our legitimate demand. We are given verbal assurances that have no practical basis.
The student added, We make it clear that until the university issues an official notification restoring the DVM degree, we will continue our movement to safeguard students’ rights. If our demand is not met, we may take stronger measures. We believe in peaceful and legitimate protest, but we are ready to escalate if necessary.
Repeated attempts to reach the university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, by phone were unsuccessful.