SUST reopens Nov 1

Newly appointed Vice-chancellor Prof Aminul Islam, who was a physics teacher in Rajshahi University, reached Sylhet yesterday evening.

He replaces Prof Musleh Uddin Ahmed, who had to resign in face of students' demonstration following killing of a student on May 14 in police firing but managed a comeback on July 5 under protection of police and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dalk (JCD), BNP's student front and of Isami Chhatra Shibir, student front of Jamaat-e-Islami. Since then, opposition backed teachers and student organisations have been demanding his withdrawal.

The university was closed amid violence. It was reopened on August 9 after three months amid an indefinite strike call by opposition-backed student organisations. Classes were not held. It was closed again on October 20 for Eid.

SUST Registrar Jamil Ahmed Chowdhury told the Daily Star

yesterday that university offices will resume normal activities on November 1 and academic activities will start from November 5. Things will be normalised and academic activities will begin in full swing from November 5, he hoped.

On October 20, agitating teachers locked the VC's office demanding his withdrawal by November 5. SUST employees also locked the Registrar office protesting non-payment of salary and Eid bonus before Eid vacation.

Professor Musleh Udin Ahmed's resignation was accepted on 22 October, sources said. He will return to his previous position in public administration department in Dhaka University, they said.

Outgoing VC Prof Ahmed while talking to the Daily Star Tuesday said, "I resigned last week considering to help bring back normalcy on the campus".