United News of Bangladesh

A section of students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur continued their protest on Monday morning over the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor. They locked the university's main gate and took positions on campus, halting normal activities. Witnesses said officials and employees who arrived at the gate before 8:30am were allowed to enter, while others were barred. The students said their agitation would continue until the appointment of newly appointed Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Iqbal is cancelled. “We won’t accept the appointment of the new VC in any way,” one of the students said. They also demanded justice for those allegedly attacked and injured DUET students during clashes the previous day. At least 25 people including five policemen were injured in a clash between two groups on the campus on Sunday centering the joining of newly appointed  VC Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal. The unrest began after the government appointed Dr Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the new VC of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of the university's students rejected the appointment and demanded a vice-chancellor appointed from within DUET.

At least  25 people including five policemen were injured in a clash between two groups on Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) campus on Sunday centering the joining of newly appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal. The unrest began after a government appointed Dr Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the new VC of DUET, said witnesses. Soon after the announcement, a section of students of the university rejected the appointment and demanded a vice-chancellor appointed from within DUET. Dr Iqbal was scheduled to join the office on Sunday. Since morning, some students started demonstrations rejecting the new VC and declared him ‘persona non grata’ on the campus. The protesters locked the university’s main gate and observed a ‘red card’ programme demanding cancellation of the appointment, said witnesses. Meanwhile, some students who supported the new VC gathered outside the campus, triggering tension between the two groups. At one stage, a clash broke out between two groups, leaving at least 25 people injured. Aminul Islam, Office-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station they are trying to bring the situation under control. As DUET is a specialised engineering university, the protesting students argued that teachers from the institution have better understanding and experience regarding its academic and administrative structure. They said appointing a VC from among DUET teachers would help ensure the university’s overall development, research activities and academic environment.

Students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) staged demonstrations blocking a road in Gazipur for the second consecutive day on Friday, declaring the newly appointed vice-chancellor “persona non grata” and demanding that the next VC be appointed from among the university’s own faculty members. After Jummah prayers, several hundred students took position on the Shimultali road adjacent to the university’s main gate and held a protest rally, disrupting vehicular movement for nearly an hour. Earlier, the protesters brought out a procession from the university’s central mosque premises, which marched across the campus before joining the road blockade. During the demonstration, students chanted slogans such as, “Our only demand—We want a VC from DUET” and “DUET’s VC must come from DUET.” Students from different departments joined the programme. The protesters said DUET, as a specialised engineering university, has a unique academic and administrative structure, and teachers from within the institution have better experience and understanding of its needs and challenges. They argued that appointing a VC from among DUET’s own senior and qualified faculty members will help ensure the university’s overall development, research activities and academic environment. Students also expressed concern that appointing an outsider as VA could create complications in preserving the university’s distinct identity and implementing long-term institutional plans. They urged the authorities to reconsider the recent appointment and appoint a qualified VC from within DUET. Earlier on Thursday, the students staged demonstration soon after the appointment of Prof Dr Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the DUET vice chancellor.  

Supporters and opponents of the Awami League-called ‘lockdown’ staged separate demonstrations in Gazipur on Thursday morning (13th November 2025), though daily life remained largely normal despite reduced long-distance bus services. From early morning, students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) and several other institutions took to the streets with sticks to resist enforcement of the lockdown. They staged protests at Rail Gate and other key points before gathering at Shibbari intersection, chanting slogans against the banned Awami League. Read more: 3 buses set on fire in Gazipur Meanwhile, activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh brought out motorcycle rallies and processions in several areas before converging at Shibbari. Earlier at dawn, district Jubo League activists demonstrated in favour of the lockdown by burning tyres on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Sreepur’s C&B area. Members of law enforcement agencies were deployed at several points of Gazipur city to prevent any illegal attempt to disrupt daily life. On Tuesday night and early Wednesday, miscreants set fire to three buses at different locations in Gazipur, triggering panic among residents. Read more: Dhaka on high alert amid Awami League's countrywide ‘lockdown’ call