# CUET student protests over Vice-Chancellor appointments

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cuet-student-protests-over-vice-chancellor-appointments
> Updated: 2026-11-01T14:17:12.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 4.

Students at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) initiated a protest movement following the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem after 56 days in office. Protesters rejected the appointment of his successor, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, citing dissatisfaction with the selection of an outsider. The unrest led to campus shutdowns, locked gates, and the postponement of final exams across several departments.

The situation escalated into a 30-hour standoff when Professor Alam attempted to enter the campus to assume his duties. Students barricaded the administrative building and cut off electricity and water supplies, locking the new Vice-Chancellor inside his office. Local administration and police eventually facilitated Professor Alam’s exit from the building via ambulance. Following his rescue, students issued a condition that the Vice-Chancellor must not return to the CUET campus. Professor Alam was taken to Evercare Hospital, where medical professionals reported his health is stable.

As of November 1, the university remains in a state of instability. Following a prolonged period of unrest, students announced a one-day shutdown to protest the appointment of an interim authority. This move was triggered after Professor Alam delegated routine administrative and academic responsibilities to Professor Kazi Delwar Hossain, the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to allow Alam to attend a University Grants Commission meeting. Protesters stated they do not recognize the current Vice-Chancellor and oppose attempts to establish authority through interim appointments, leading to a boycott of all classes, examinations, and administrative activities.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-01: CUET students announce shutdown over interim Vice Chancellor appointment

CUET students have declared a one-day shutdown and boycott of classes to protest the appointment of an interim Vice Chancellor during the current administration's absence.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuet-students-announce-shutdown-over-interim-vice-chancellor-appointment

### 2026-10-14: CUET students maintain campus shutdown amid vice chancellor dispute

Students and staff at CUET continue a campus shutdown and academic boycott, demanding the reinstatement of former vice chancellor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuet-students-maintain-campus-shutdown-amid-vice-chancellor-dispute

### 2026-10-13: CUET Vice-Chancellor rescued after 30-hour student standoff

CUET Vice-Chancellor Sheikh Shariful Alam was rescued after being held captive for 30 hours by protesting students demanding the reinstatement of the former Vice-Chancellor.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuet-vice-chancellor-rescued-after-30-hour-student-standoff

### 2026-09-26: CUET students protest removal of Vice-Chancellor

Students at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology are protesting the removal of Vice-Chancellor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem after 56 days, causing campus shutdowns and exam postponements.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuet-students-protest-removal-of-vice-chancellor

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Cite as: CUET student protests over Vice-Chancellor appointments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cuet-student-protests-over-vice-chancellor-appointments